Koli-Kabbiga community demands statue of Vithal Herur in Kalaburagi

Members of the Koli and Kabbiga community in Chittapur have staged a protest demanding that the government install a statue of their late leader, Vithal Herur, in Kalaburagi. The community leaders submitted a memorandum to the Grade-2 Tehsildar, requesting that the government either install the statue at the junction leading to Afzalpur near the High Court or grant official permission for the community to do so.

Since 2013, a plaque featuring Herur has been placed at the junction, which is already locally known as Vithal Herur Circle. The protest was triggered after a statue of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was reportedly placed at the site overnight by members of the Kuruba community, an act which the municipal corporation subsequently removed.

Community leaders expressed that the attempt to install a different statue at the site was an insult to the dignity and self-respect of the Koli and Kabbiga communities. They warned that they would not tolerate the installation of any other statues at that location and threatened further protests if their demands are not met.