Karwar: Demanding to declare Uttara Kannada as a tribal district and to identify the Siddi community as Scheduled Tribes all over Karnataka, Siddhis staged a massive protest in Karwar on Monday.

The protest had been organised by Akhil Karnataka Siddi Samaj Partishthan Trust at Maladevi Ground in Karwar. Later, they took out a protest rally to the deputy commissioner's office raising slogans.

Addressing the protesters, Trust President Diyog Siddi said that the Union government must give a nod to grant ST status to the Siddis staying in Belagavi and Dharwad districts like in Uttara Kannada. The land belonging to the community which has been snatched away through illegal means must be returned. Title deeds must be provided to the Siddis under Forest Rights Act 2006 and 2012 amendment. Special reservation must be provided to the youths of the community in education and employment. Self-employment opportunities must be created for the community. The funds sanctioned for the welfare of the Siddi community through different government departments must be used effectively. 

The protesters also demanded that financial help must be extended to the Siddi women for self-employment. District and taluk-level officials must be appointed for effective implementation of welfare schemes for the community. Nutritious food must be ensured for the community. The cases registered under SC/ST Atrocity Act involving the community people must be investigated thoroughly. The community must be developed through the two Large-Scale Multi-Purpose Co-operative Societies (LAMPS).

They also said that several NGOs were getting funds in the name of developing the community but those funds were not reaching the community. Misuse of such funds must be checked.

The protesters submitted a memorandum listing their 18 demands to Tahsildar R V Katti.

Siddi community people from Haliyal, Yellapur, Ankola, Sirsi and Joida taluks were part of the protest.