Raichur: Protests erupted in Raichur on Thursday against District Judge Mallikarjun Gowda, who demanded the removal of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar’s portrait which was kept alongside Mahatma Gandhi’s photo on the Dias during Republic Day celebrations in the premises of District Court in Raichur and he unfurled the tricolor only after the photo was removed following an argument. Certain guidelines issued by the Registrar of the High Court of Karnataka, which orders courts to place only Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait during the Republic Day celebration’s were mentioned as the reason according to the advocates in attendance.

The video of the removal of Ambedkar’s portrait following a heated argument surfaced on social media causing an outrage in the State.
While talking about the incident Advocate Shivshankar said Raichur Bar Association has written to the High Court seeking permission to keep the portrait of Ambedkar beside Mahatma Gandhi’s photo during Republic Day celebrations. But no response has come from the Registrar of High Court, he said.

SDPI Raichur District President Tauseef Ahmed said that District Judge refused to unfurl the flag on R’Day saying the protocol does not allow him to do so if Ambedkar’s photo is kept. The judge also said he will be in trouble if he does so. Later had the photo removed and unfurled the flag. He further added Bengaluru Civil Court, Kalaburgi Civil Court has kept Ambedkar’s photo and no Judge has objected and raised any such issue. Gowda had objected earlier too on placing the photo of Ambedkar on Nov 26, celebrated as Constitution Day whereas the advocates had to strongly protest to retain the photo in the function.

BJP MLA and Ex-Minister Shivgouda Naik also objected to the issue and stated the Judge’s act was a matter of shame and demanded immediate sacking of the Judge. He said that ‘the Judge has insulted the Architect of the Constitution and mentioned his act as a display of his distorted mindset and a matter of shame for civilized society demanding the immediate intervention of High Court in sacking the Judge who still has the mindset of untouchability. Naik affirmed to bring the matter to the notice of the Government and Law department’.

Protests were also carried out on the streets of Raichur on Thursday when protestors blocked roads and demanded the High Court should take a Suo moto notice of the issue and sack the Judge, they also insisted on a public apology and asked: “the High Court to make sure such incidences do not occur again”.

R. Manasaiah, Ambanna Aroli, Ravindra Patti, A. Vasanth Kumar, M. Virupakshi, Narasappa Dandora, Y. Narasappa, M. Eranna, Vishwanath Patti, Adeppa Chalavadi, Jagannath Sunkari, Khaja Aslam, Hemaraj Askikhal, Shivakumar Megalamani, and K.G. Kumar were among the leaders representing various organizations who took part in the protests.