Addressing a gathering at Kanteerava Stadium on the 55th 'Rajyothsava', the state formation day, he said that despite the Centre according the classical language status, it's yet to sanction the funds and is sitting on the State's proposal.
"...don't test the patience of Kannadigas...", he said. Pointing that some parts of Karnataka are still referred to as "Hyderabad-Karnataka region" and "Mumbai-Karnataka region" even five decades after the state formation, the Chief Minister said it is proposed to rename them as "Kitturu Karnataka" and "Kalyana Karnataka", respectively, after consultations with veteran litterateurs.
Although Rajyotsava was celebrated with gaiety across the State, in Chickmagalur district, some pro-Kannada activists were taken into custody when they staged a protest against Excise Minister M P Renukacharya for (initially) siding with BJP dissidents who sought removal of Yeddyurappa.
Scores of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists blackened English hoardings near Cantonment Railway Station here seeking prominence for Kannada and courted arrest.
In Belgaum, activists of Maharashtra Ekikarana Samithi, an outfit espousing the Marathi cause and demanding merger of certain border areas with the neighbouring state, observed "black day" and took out a protest march.
Speaking to reporters here, Home Minister R Ashoka said anti-Kannada campaign would not be tolerated at any cost, adding, the Government would take stern action against those who raised anti-Kannada slogans in Belgaum today.
Meanhwile a Bijapur report said District Incharge minister Murugesh Nirani who hoisted National and State flag here to mark Rajyotsava day and announced that the state government had released funds for construction of Ranga Mandirs in three villages and in Indi town this year. Apart from this another open air Ranga Mandir will come up in Bijapur city, he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said the government has sanctioned Rs 10 crore as special grant for development of Bijapur. He said apart from this, Rs. 150 crore has been sanctioned for various works to be taken in the city.