Mangaluru witnesses sporadic protests, celebrations over cash chaos

Mangaluru, Nov 28: The disunity among opposition parties over ways to protest the union government's controversial demonetization clearly reflected in this coastal city as different parties staged separate protests.

However, a majority of the cash-strapped people in Mangaluru preferred just to curse the government's indifferent attitude towards common man, rather than taking to streets.

The state-wideAkrosh Diwas' being observed by the Congress party against the demonetization, was also confined to holding protest meets in the city.

While Mayor Harithan and few other Congress leaders took part in a protest near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in front of Mangaluru City Corporation building, Dakshina Kannada district congress in-charge president Ibrahim Kodichal and MLC Ivan D'Souza among others staged a protest near the Town Hall.

A few dozen agitators turned up for another protest organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner. The JD(S), however, has decided not to support Aakrosh Diwas.

On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies in Hindutva agenda observedSambram Diwas' to celebrate PM Narendra Modi's demonetization move.

Activists of Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) held aVijayotsav' at Pumpwell Circle in the city. They raised slogans against Congress, hailed Prime Minister and bursting crackers. Some among them distributed sweets to the public.

In a press statement, BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said, "What PM is doing is good for the nation. All along, the Congress kept questioning the PM on when he would act against black money and now that he has acted, they are asking him to stop."