<p>Belagavi: Kannada activists in Belagavi have urged the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) to allocate Rs 2 crore for the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in the City, citing the participation of lakhs of people in the event. They also called for stringent measures to ban the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), which they accuse of conducting anti-state activities.</p><p>The demands were made during a meeting held on Thursday at the Circuit House here, convened by KDA Chairman Dr Purushottam Bilimale. Kannada activists and leaders, who participated in the meeting, raised key issues related to the protection and promotion of Kannada language and culture, especially in border areas.</p><p>The activists said Kannada Development Authority should hold their meetings once in three months in Belagavi, ensuring that the concerns and petitions of Kannadigas in border regions are heard locally.</p><p>Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority Member Ashok Chandargi proposed setting up regional offices of Karnataka Border and Rivers Protection Commission and Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi. </p><p>This, he said, would ease the process for border residents to submit their grievances and representations locally rather than having to travel to Bengaluru.</p><p><strong>Kannada awareness committees</strong></p><p>He further suggested establishing Kannada awareness committees at the gram panchayat, taluk, and district levels, and their members must be given permission to attend meetings of the Kannada Development Authority.</p><p>Activist Mahadev Talwar criticised the state government’s initiative to introduce English medium instruction in over 4,000 government schools, calling it unfair. He urged the authorities instead to focus on strengthening existing schools by providing adequate infrastructure and sanitation facilities.</p><p>Karnataka Rakshana Vedike District President Deepak Gudagnatti expressed concern over Kannada activists being booked as rowdy-sheeters for participating in Kannada movements. </p><p>He demanded that such cases be withdrawn immediately. He also urged a ban on the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, describing it as an anti-state organisation working against Kannada interests.</p><p>Responding to the demands, Bilimale assured the activists that he would take up their concerns with the government and strive for their resolution. He announced that future meetings would be held to address all pending issues with Kannada activists.</p><p>Kannada Development Authority member Santosh Hangal also spoke. Basavaraj Kattimani Trust chairman Yallappa Himmadi and Kannada and Culture Department deputy director Vidyavati Bhajantri were present.</p>
<p>Belagavi: Kannada activists in Belagavi have urged the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) to allocate Rs 2 crore for the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in the City, citing the participation of lakhs of people in the event. They also called for stringent measures to ban the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), which they accuse of conducting anti-state activities.</p><p>The demands were made during a meeting held on Thursday at the Circuit House here, convened by KDA Chairman Dr Purushottam Bilimale. Kannada activists and leaders, who participated in the meeting, raised key issues related to the protection and promotion of Kannada language and culture, especially in border areas.</p><p>The activists said Kannada Development Authority should hold their meetings once in three months in Belagavi, ensuring that the concerns and petitions of Kannadigas in border regions are heard locally.</p><p>Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority Member Ashok Chandargi proposed setting up regional offices of Karnataka Border and Rivers Protection Commission and Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi. </p><p>This, he said, would ease the process for border residents to submit their grievances and representations locally rather than having to travel to Bengaluru.</p><p><strong>Kannada awareness committees</strong></p><p>He further suggested establishing Kannada awareness committees at the gram panchayat, taluk, and district levels, and their members must be given permission to attend meetings of the Kannada Development Authority.</p><p>Activist Mahadev Talwar criticised the state government’s initiative to introduce English medium instruction in over 4,000 government schools, calling it unfair. He urged the authorities instead to focus on strengthening existing schools by providing adequate infrastructure and sanitation facilities.</p><p>Karnataka Rakshana Vedike District President Deepak Gudagnatti expressed concern over Kannada activists being booked as rowdy-sheeters for participating in Kannada movements. </p><p>He demanded that such cases be withdrawn immediately. He also urged a ban on the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, describing it as an anti-state organisation working against Kannada interests.</p><p>Responding to the demands, Bilimale assured the activists that he would take up their concerns with the government and strive for their resolution. He announced that future meetings would be held to address all pending issues with Kannada activists.</p><p>Kannada Development Authority member Santosh Hangal also spoke. Basavaraj Kattimani Trust chairman Yallappa Himmadi and Kannada and Culture Department deputy director Vidyavati Bhajantri were present.</p>
