BJP protests suspension of MLAs in Belagavi, Chikodi

BJP workers held protests in Belagavi, Chikodi, and Karwar on Monday. They were objecting to the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs for six months by Speaker UT Khader. The protests in Belagavi included an altercation with police. Six activists were arrested for damaging banners of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The protests blocked roads for over half an hour, with activists burning portraits of the two leaders. BJP leaders accused the state budget of being anti-Hindu and said that religion-based reservations violate the constitution. They argued that grants for Dalits had been misused in guarantee schemes and labeled the state government as anti-people. In Chikodi, similar protests took place at Basaveshwar Circle. Former minister Shashikala Jolle and former MP Annasaheb Jolle led this protest. Activists submitted a memorandum to the Governor, condemning the Congress government's actions as anti-democratic and dictatorial. They warned that if the Speaker did not reverse the suspension, statewide protests would follow. Numerous party leaders and hundreds of workers joined the demonstrations.