The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has launched a 16-day protest, called the ‘Janakrosha Yatre’, in Mysuru. The protest targets the Congress-led state government over rising prices and the introduction of a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government tenders.
The yatra was inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi after a prayer at the Chamundeshwari temple.
This protest will take place in four phases across the state, with the final leg concluding on May 3 in Bengaluru and Bengaluru Rural. Following the BJP’s overnight protest on April 2 and 3, the march will feature 1 km-long rallies and public meetings at district centres. Key BJP leaders, including state president BY Vijayendra, and opposition leaders R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, joined the launch of the first phase of the yatra.
In addition to the protest, the BJP marked its Foundation Day by unveiling the Janakrosha Yatre logo and calling for an end to what they described as “Ravana rajya” in Karnataka, advocating instead for the arrival of “Rama rajya”. BJP leaders claimed that the Congress government was misusing funds meant for Dalits and that it was appeasing minority groups.
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R Ashoka, speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, accused the Siddaramaiah-led government of imposing high price hikes that were burdening the poor and middle class. He cited price increases in metro fares, college entrance fees, fuel, liquor, seeds, and waste management services. Ashoka said the government was failing to protect citizens from inflation. He also criticised the amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, which introduces a 4 per cent quota for Muslim contractors in tenders worth less than ₹2 crore. This quota affects 17 Muslim communities in Category 1 and 19 in Category 2A, which also includes other backward groups.
Ashoka further accused the Congress government of political vendetta. He referred to the case of a BJP worker’s suicide in Kodagu, questioning why the administration had not acknowledged the death note. He pointed out the hypocrisy of Congress leaders, who had previously demanded the resignation of former BJP minister KS Eshwarappa over a similar incident.
In response, Congress MLA Kothur Manjunath, speaking in Mysuru, acknowledged the financial strain on the public. He noted that the price of milk had risen by Rs 4, but since this was going to farmers, it could be accepted. However, the recent increase in diesel prices by ₹2 had become a burden for the public.
He also mentioned that taxes had risen across sectors. For instance, registering land, which used to cost ₹3 lakh, now costs ₹18 lakh due to higher stamp duties and taxes.
Manjunath argued that such increases could be acceptable if they led to visible development. He said that higher taxes could be justified if they were invested in essential services such as water, leading to greater development.
The government needed revenue to function and carry out development work.
The Janakrosha Yatre will cover all major districts in the state, including Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, the coastal and Malnad regions, and northern districts like Belagavi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, and Ballari. The final phase will focus on the greater Bengaluru area and conclude on May 3.
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