Hubli: The revival of the 10-year-old Uma Bharti case may have brought this commercial hub back into national focus, but the locals fear it could disrupt peace and affect business in the city, which is positioning itself as the investment gateway for North Karnataka.

Besides business, the city's engineering and medical colleges are flooded with calls from anxious parents about the safety of their wards. Many students have kept away from classes for the engineering semester, which commenced early this week.

"The last 5-6 years have been peaceful here. With the disputed Idgah maidan issue back on the national scene, we fear the on-going politico-legal battle may affect our business. The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are losing business worth Rs 30-40 crore daily,'' Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president S Kakaranna Manavalli said in Hubli today (Sep 4, 2004).

"Everyone is worried over what will happen next," he said adding that truckers hesitate to transport goods to Hubli from other parts of the country.

It may be recalled six persons died in police firing on August 15, 1994 in the wake of violence and rioting that followed when the Sangh Parivar followers, including BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) firebrand sadvi Uma Bharti were prevented from hoisting the national flag at the Idgah maidan.