Mayura Verma

KRV Members Visit NAAC Office Over Halting Rajyotsava Celebrations ​Bengaluru ​Activists belonging to the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (#KRV – Shivarame Gowda faction) visited the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (#NAAC) office in #Bengaluru on Monday, condemning the administration for halting #KannadaRajyotsava celebrations over the past two years. ​The protest erupted following allegations by internal staff that NAAC Director Prof. Ganesan Kannabiran had systematically suppressed local cultural observances and harassed #Kannadiga employees.​According to aggrieved staff members, Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations,a two-decade-long tradition at the national accreditation body,were abruptly discontinued under Kannabiran’s tenure. The confrontation followed a formal complaint sent by an internal whistleblower to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Kannada activist bodies, alleging that more than 15 local contract workers were terminated overnight on flimsy grounds after they questioned the ban on the annual festivities. The administration has also been accused of ousting an existing local security agency to accommodate an out-of-state firm. ​During the visit, KRV leaders strongly objected to the behavior of the administration, warning that disrespect toward Karnataka's culture, language and workforce would not be tolerated in an institution functioning on land gifted by the state government. ​Following the escalation, NAAC officials committed to organizing a grand Kannada Rajyotsava celebration on the council premises. The KRV has reiterated its demand for the unconditional reinstatement of all local Kannadiga personnel who were unlawfully removed. @karave_KRV @NAAC_India @DKShivakumar