Activists Demand ₹2 Crore Annual Grant for Kannada Rajyotsava, Call for MES Ban

BELAGAVI –

Kannada activists have urged the Karnataka government to allocate ₹2 crore annually for the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations, citing the massive public participation and cultural importance of the event. The demand was made during a meeting chaired by Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Purushottam Bilimale.

They also strongly demanded that the Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti (MES)—accused of engaging in anti-national activities—be banned in Karnataka. The activists stressed the need for consistent dialogue with border residents and urged that the commissions formed to protect their interests meet in Belagavi once every three months.

Ashok Chandragi, member of the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority, urged the government to establish regional offices of both the Karnataka Border and Rivers Conservation Commission and the Border Area Development Authority at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. “This would eliminate the need for border residents to travel to Bengaluru to resolve grievances,” he said.

He also proposed the formation of Kannada awareness committees at the district, taluk, and gram panchayat levels, with their office bearers allowed to attend KDP meetings.

Deepaka Gudaganatty, district president of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, alleged that police were unfairly registering rowdy sheeters and cases against Kannada activists. He demanded that such cases be withdrawn immediately.

Chairman Bilimale assured the gathering that their demands would be taken up with the state government and promised a long meeting with Kannada organisation leaders soon.

Also present were Authority member Santhosh Hanagalla, Basavaraja Kattimani Foundation President Yallappa Himmadi, and Kannada and Culture Department Deputy Director Vidyavathi Bhajantri.