Kannada film stars stage dharna over Hogenakkal issue

Bangalore, Apr 4 (UNI) Kannada film stars today staged a day-long dharna here in protest against Tamil Nadu taking up Hogenakkal Project to provide drinking water to its people.

All leading Kannada film personalities, including actors, actresses, directors, lyricists, script writers and playback singers participated in the agitation led by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

The participants extended their full support to the agitation and vowed to fight for protecting the State's interest.

Sons of Dr Rajkumar, his wife Parvathamma, Director Nagthihalli Chandrasekhar, actors Ramya, Tara, Upendra and Jaggesh were among those who participated.

Former underworld don Muthappa Rai's 'Jaya Karnataka' activists took out a 'Jatha' to create awarness among public on the Hogenakkal issue.

The 'Jatha' would culminate at Hogenakkal and the activists would lay siege on the project tomorrow.

Karnataka Cable Operators Association members, who participated in the dharna, also extended their full support to the agitation and announced that cable operation would be suspended during bandh on April 10.

In Maddur in Mandya district, over 200 Tamil-speaking people took out procession in support of agitation by pro-Kannada activists and later submitted a memorandum to the tahsildar.

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