BELAGAVI
Pro-Kannada activists staged a protest outside the Belagavi Municipal Corporation on Tuesday, demanding that the civic body pass a resolution declaring Belagavi an integral part of Karnataka.
The demonstration was organized by the Kittur Karnataka Sena and supported by several Kannada organizations.
The activists said they had been pressing the corporation for the resolution for three months. Their protest continued while a corporation meeting was taking place inside the building. They expressed anger over what they described as repeated delays and demanded that the issue be taken up without further postponement.
Kittur Karnataka Sena State President Mahadev Talawara warned that the mayor, deputy mayor and members should accept responsibility if the resolution was not presented. He said they should not continue using government facilities while failing to meet the protesters’ demand. Youth Unit State President Mahesh Shigihalli also warned of stronger protests if the corporation again failed to act.
Kannada Sangathangala Kriya Samiti district president Ashok Chandaragi urged the state government to consider superseding the corporation if it failed to adopt the resolution. Activists said the issue was important to them because they wanted the civic body to clearly affirm Karnataka’s position on Belagavi. They also criticized local politicians for not responding to their demand.
Tensions rose when the protesters tried to enter the corporation office. Police detained more than 30 activists, including Mahadev Talawara, and took them away in vehicles. The activists protested their detention and expressed anger at the police. The demonstration ended with the protesters renewing their warning that the campaign would continue until the corporation addressed their demand.
DEMANDS
- Pass resolution declaring Belagavi part of Karnataka
- End three-month delay over resolution adoption
- Mayor and deputy mayor should resign
- Stop use of government facilities by leaders
- Government should supersede corporation if needed
- Present Karnataka-supporting resolution without further delay