‘Walk for Rights and Justice’ ends in Kalaburagi with call for equitable development

A week-long “Jatha for Justice for Kalyana Karnataka” organised by the Welfare Party of India concluded in Kalaburagi on Monday with a demonstration outside the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) headquarters. The jatha, which began in Ballari on October 6, was flagged off by party State president Tahir Hussein at Valmiki Circle.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Hussein said that the jatha was organised to highlight the continued neglect of the Kalyana Karnataka region despite the Special Status granted to the region through the 98th Constitutional Amendment in 2013.

He observed that even after 78 years of Independence and over a decade of Special Status, the fruits of development have not reached the people. Although around ₹25,000 crore have been released for the region through KKRDB and related schemes, he said that the funds have not translated into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

“The State government must ensure a transparent and effective utilisation of funds meant for Kalyana Karnataka. The region continues to lag behind in almost all indicators of development, from employment and education to healthcare and industrial growth,” he said.

Mr. Hussein noted that while the per capita income in the Bengaluru division stands at ₹5.01 lakh, it is only ₹1.73 lakh in Kalyana Karnataka.

“Districts such as Yadgir, Raichur, Kalaburagi and Koppal remain among the poorest in the State. Out of the 17.48 lakh small and medium industries in Karnataka, only about 1.96 lakh are located in this region. Despite the presence of thousands of engineering graduates every year, most youth are compelled to migrate in search of employment opportunities elsewhere,” he said.

WPI State vice-president Mujahid Pasha Qureshi said that the jatha was a symbolic march to awaken the conscience of the State about the deep disparities in development.

“Nearly 30 lakh people here suffer from anaemia and malnutrition and about 80,000 government posts remain vacant, including 22,000 teaching posts. Education, healthcare and employment continue to remain neglected. The State cannot claim inclusive growth when Kalyana Karnataka continues to be left behind,” he said.

Following the rally, WPI leaders submitted a detailed memorandum to KKRDB officials demanding urgent government intervention. The memorandum urged the State government to ensure proper use of development funds, set up new industries with employment preference for locals, complete pending irrigation projects, improve the quality of education and fill vacant teaching positions.

It also called for the establishment of a special judicial commission to prevent injustice against minorities, backward classes, Dalits and Adivasis and for the creation of multi-speciality hospitals based on population needs. The party further demanded an exclusive industrial policy tailored to the unique requirements of Kalyana Karnataka.

Hundreds of WPI workers and local citizens participated in the concluding rally and dharna, raising slogans against unequal development policies.

WPI State vice-presidents Srikanth Salian, Prabhakar and Habeebullah Khan, State secretary Mubeen Ahmed and party leaders Jabbar Gola, Afzal Mehmood, Fareed Manvi, Fahad Mohsin, Ibrahim Patel, Subhash Rathod and several others participated in the agitation.