AIDSO members staged a strong protest in Belagavi on Tuesday against the Karnataka government's plan to merge rural schools and create Karnataka Public Schools. They gathered at Rani Channamma Circle and held a dharna, shouting slogans against the State government's move. The protesters then marched to the Deputy Commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum demanding the government reverse the order to merge and close government schools. "We demand that not a single government school be closed," the protesters declared. The protest leaders also criticized the police for canceling permission to hold a protest near Suvarna Soudha. "The Police Department earlier gave permission but abruptly cancelled it. We believe everyone has the right to protest against injustice and are holding the protest today," they said. Students, parents, and villagers joined the protest, feeling their rights are at stake. The memorandum said the government plans to merge six rural primary schools with Karnataka Public Schools in Honganur, Channapatna taluk, Ramanagara, affecting schools with student counts of 77, 82, 31, 100, 20, and 80. This is seen as clear school closure under another name. The October 15, 2025 circular from the School Education Department states that smaller schools within 1 to 5 km will merge with proposed Karnataka Public Schools or magnet schools. This worries villagers who fear thousands of rural schools may shut down if the policy continues. "Merging schools means children will have to travel farther, making access tough for poor and rural students. The rise in travel distance raises safety worries and could increase dropouts, especially for girls," read the memorandum. The Minister has suggested using buildings of merged schools for other organizational work and plans to introduce a Bill on this in the Belagavi Winter Session. He also told media that school buildings might be handed over to self-help groups. Protesters also condemned the government’s move allowing advertising on school walls to raise funds, calling it a step toward full privatization. They demand no school buildings be used commercially and urge the government to strengthen rural schools with teachers, infrastructure, materials, and democratic management. Deputy Director of Public Instruction visited and received the protest petition. Key protesters included AIDSO State secretary Ajay Kamath, vice-president Abhaya Diwakar, State treasurer Subhash Bettada Koppa, office secretary Mahantesh, and leaders from local village education committees along with parents and elders. The protest shows strong rural resistance to closing government schools in Karnataka under the pretext of modernization.