Udupi: The members of Coastal Kulala Kubara’s (Potters) Vedike Mangalore and Karnataka State Kumbara Mahasangha (Coastal division) staged a massive peaceful protest with pots on their head in front of Clock Tower at Udupi on 5th February, sunday.

The protest was staged against Energy Minister D K Shivakumar’s derogatory statement on the potter community.

Dr. Annayya Kulal, the state executive president of the Karnataka State Kumbara Mahasangha, addressing on occasion said, "Energy minister, on 2nd February, thursday, said in a public gathering that 'the Siddaramaiah government was not a 'potter’s pot', that would collapse on the spot'. This statement was have made the entire potter's community go hurtful. He could have used another object while giving an example, it was not necessary to insult the potter community."

"The state made a defamatory statement about the community which hurts their feelings and self-respect. There are 3 lakhs kumbaras in undivided Dakshina Kannada. Being a responsible minister, DK Shivakumar should not have made such a statement. He should immediately apologise openly to the community."

Kumbha Kala Nigam should separate itself from the Devaraj Urs Corporation. Once that is done, the community will get a Rs 50-crore grant for development. The community has no strong representative in the politics, that is why the Government neglects them," added Annayya.

Satish Kulal Nadur, Karnataka chief secretary, Rajesh Kulal, Shankar Kulal, Perampali Aithu Kulal and others were present.