Activists from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) staged a significant demonstration in Belagavi on Monday, voicing strong opposition to the proposed construction of a Maharashtra government building in the city. The protestors submitted a formal memorandum to the district administration and issued a direct warning to local MP Jagadish Shettar.
Protest Details and Key Demands
The protest unfolded at Channamma Circle, where a gathering of KRV members raised slogans against Marathi-speaking groups they accused of working against Karnataka's interests. The activists also directed their criticism towards MP Jagadish Shettar for what they perceived as his silence on the issue. Following the rally, the group marched in a procession to the office of the Deputy Commissioner to formally submit their demands.
In their memorandum addressed to the state government, the KRV outlined a long-standing grievance. They alleged that for over five decades, leaders of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Belagavi have used the support of the Maharashtra government to further their activities. Their current primary objection is a new plot. "Now they plotted to build a Maharashtra Gadi Bhavan in Belagavi. The district administration should not allow the construction of such a building under any circumstances," the memorandum urgently stated.
Warning to MP and Call for Action
The activists delivered a separate, strongly-worded memorandum to MP Jagadish Shettar. They highlighted a perceived imbalance in parliamentary discourse, noting that when issues concerning the Belagavi border and language arise, leaders from Maharashtra speak out forcefully in Parliament, transcending party lines. In contrast, they claimed, MPs from Karnataka often remain silent.
The KRV asserted that it is the responsibility of Karnataka's elected representatives to counter the arguments made by Maharashtra's leaders. The protestors warned that if this silence continues, it might compel all Kannada speakers to initiate a large-scale mass movement. They earnestly requested Shettar to raise his voice in Parliament to protect Karnataka's interests concerning land, water, and language.
The protestors issued a direct ultimatum to the MP, warning that if he fails to champion their cause in the national legislature, they would escalate their agitation by staging a sit-in protest directly in front of his residence.
Key Figures and Presence
The protest saw the participation of several prominent KRV leaders from the district. Those present included Deepak Gudaganatti (KRV district president), Suresh Gavannavar, Ganesh Rokhade, Raju Nashipudi, Satish Gudadavar, and Dasharat Banoshi. Their collective presence underscored the seriousness of the organization's stance on this sensitive regional issue, which taps into deep-seated historical and linguistic sentiments surrounding the Belagavi region.
