Republic Day celebrations in Karnataka’s Gadag district on Monday were briefly disrupted after political dispute broke out between Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil and BJP MLC SV Sankanur during the official programme.
The incident occurred on the dais at the district-level Republic Day function, where both leaders were participating in the ceremonial proceedings. District in-charge Minister HK Patil was delivering the Republic Day address when he made remarks critical of the newly introduced G RAM G scheme, alleging that the legislation would “snatch employment opportunities from poor people.”
Patil’s comments drew a strong objection from BJP MLC S.V. Sankanur, who walked up to the Minister on the dais and expressed his protest. Despite the interruption, Patil remained unmoved and continued with his speech, after which Sankanur was seen walking down from the stage but not before interrupting the minister’s speech. This incident was recorded on the camera.
Officials from the Gadag district administration were present at the venue and continued overseeing the programme, which otherwise proceeded as scheduled with flag-hoisting, cultural performances and patriotic addresses.
In December, Parliament cleared the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, popularly referred to as G RAM G. The legislation replaces the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and promises 125 days of rural wage employment annually. The Bill was passed amid strong protests from Opposition parties in both Houses.
The Opposition has objected to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA and alleged that the Centre is attempting to shift the financial burden of the employment guarantee programme onto state governments.
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