While Karnataka government is mulling to name its low-cost canteen initiative "Namma Indira canteens", Kannadigas are up in arms against using names of leaders from North India. The people have demanded the canteens be given a local flavour.
The Kannadigas have started tweeting with the hashtag #indirabedaAkkabeku to have their voice heard. The phrase "indirabedaAkkabeku" roughly translates to "we don't want Indira, we want sister" referring to Akka Mahadevi, a 12th century female Kannada poet and a prominent figure in Veerashaiva Bhakti movement.
The Congress party in the state, which is considering launching canteens after the "Amma Canteens" in Tamil Nadu, wanted to give a name that identifies with the Congress party.
Karnataka ministers proposed the name of the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who is known for campaigns like "Garibi Hatao" and slogans like "Roti, kapda aur makaan", for the canteens during a meeting in March 2017.
However, the reaction so far has been negative with Kannadigas rejecting the state government's decision to name the canteen after Hindi-speaking leaders.
All for naming state run canteens in Bengaluru as Namma Canteen or after someone from here. Enough of Rajiv/Indra/Nehru. #IndiraBedaAkkaBeku
— Rakshith Ponnathpur (@rsponnathpur) April 20, 2017
#indirabedaAkkabeku we are against #Hindiimperialism,we r also against linguistic ethnic imperialism,Ka great persons name for Ka projs
— ಮಂಜುನಾತ್ ಗವ್ಡ (@blrhudga) April 20, 2017
Why name something gud after a non Kannadiga?#IndiraBedaAkkaBeku or name it after Chenamma or Abbakka or Obavva? There are enough icons here
— Aditya Kulkarni (@adikulk) April 20, 2017
Why name something gud after a non Kannadiga?#IndiraBedaAkkaBeku or name it after Chenamma or Abbakka or Obavva? There are enough icons here
— Aditya Kulkarni (@adikulk) April 20, 2017
It's a simple choice for @CMofKarnataka. Listen to his party cadre or listen to people of his state.Indira or Namma/Akka #IndiraBedaAkkaBeku
— Rakshith Ponnathpur (@rsponnathpur) April 20, 2017
