Kannada activists held a demonstration outside the Belagavi City Corporation office on Tuesday, demanding strict implementation of the Kannada language policy in the region. The protesters, belonging to various pro-Kannada organisations, gathered in large numbers, raising slogans and carrying placards that read 'Kannada must be the primary language' and 'Remove English signboards'.
Demands of the Protesters
The activists demanded that the city corporation ensure all official communications, signboards, and public notices are in Kannada. They also called for the removal of English signboards from commercial establishments and government offices, arguing that the dominance of English undermines the status of Kannada as the official language of Karnataka.
Protest Details
The protest began around 10:30 AM and continued for several hours. The demonstrators blocked the main entrance of the corporation office, causing inconvenience to the staff and visitors. Police personnel were deployed to manage the situation, but no untoward incidents were reported. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the corporation commissioner, outlining their demands.
Speaking to the media, one of the protest leaders said, 'We have been demanding the implementation of the Kannada language policy for a long time. The corporation must take immediate steps to ensure Kannada is given its due importance.' The protest comes in the wake of similar demonstrations in other parts of Karnataka, where language activists have been pushing for greater use of Kannada in public life.
Background
The Kannada language policy mandates the use of Kannada in all official communications and signboards in Karnataka. However, activists claim that the policy is not being implemented effectively in Belagavi, a city with a significant Marathi-speaking population. The issue has been a point of contention between pro-Kannada and pro-Marathi groups in the region.
The Belagavi City Corporation has assured that it will look into the demands and take appropriate action. Meanwhile, the activists have warned of further protests if their demands are not met.
