Hubballi
In a bid to preserve the 156-year-old Government Kannada Boys’ School No. 2 of Broadway in Hubballi, former students and supporters are gearing up for a legal battle. Seeking the expertise of legal professionals, the alumni plan to combine legal action with protests and the submission of memoranda to elected representatives. The campaign to protect the school has also moved to social media, with former students appealing for widespread support.
The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) prepared a DPR for the construction of a multi-level car parking facility at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore by demolishing this school, which irked its old students.
This move led to protests and attempts to put pressure on the officials and elected representatives.
Now the old students of the school have started working on gathering suitable documents to approach the court.
Mahesh Chikkaveeramath, a member of the old students of the school, said that we have approached many legal experts to seek opinions on the next course of action to protect the school, and Legislative Council chairman Basavaraj Horatti also suggested we fight legally to protect the school and file a PIL. Considering all opinions, we decided to file a PIL after discussing with the members of old students of the school. Soon initiation will be taken for a legal battle, he added.
Former chief minister and MLC Jagadish Shettar said that the old students of the Kannada school have submitted a memorandum, and he will discuss the matter with the local MLA, officials, and the minister concerned in this regard and convey the demands of the old students.
According to sources, legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti has directed the education department officials to depute teachers to the school and also to ensure that thehistoric Kannada school is neither closed nor demolished.
The old students of the school have also started a campaign on social media on the school’s legacy to gather its old students from across the world. HDMC commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi said that the decision on the proposed multi-level car parking is yet to be decided. “The matter is at the discussion level, and a decision will be taken after looking at all the aspects. We have received a memorandum requesting a parking facility at the corporation property from the commercial establishments in Broadway and surroundings. No memorandum has been given by the old students of the Kannada School No2 at Broadway,” he added.
