Demanding that the State Government establish a development board for the Idiga community and also lift the ban on toddy tapping and sales in parts of Kalyana Karnataka region, national president of the Arya Ediga Kendra Samiti Pranavananda Swami launched an indefinite hunger strike outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday.
The swamiji, addressing protestors, said that tapping toddy is the family occupation of the Idiga community. Toddy tapping is allowed in the coastal districts of the State, while it is banned in other districts.
The swamiji urged the State Government to allow the Idiga community in Kalyana Karnataka districts to continue with their traditional occupation of toddy tapping as most of the families in this region have been affected by financial difficulties after the government banned toddy tapping in the region.
