ON June 20, CPI(M) units across Karnataka organised protest demonstrations in opposition to the union government's directive to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) prohibiting the sale of rice to state governments. The union government's decision was widely seen as an effort to impede the expansion of the Anna Bhagya scheme, a key electoral promise made by the Congress party. Protests were held in numerous district centres throughout Karnataka, including Bangalore, Kalburgi, Mandya, Mysore, Ballari, Bagepalli, Kolar, Koppala, and Chitradurga.