<p>Belagavi: Aprotest organised by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Monday, opposing the implementation of Kannada in government affairs, witnessed a poor turnout, with only a handful of activists and office-bearers gathering at the deputy commissioner’s office here.</p><p>Despite earlier claims of a large-scale demonstration and widespread mobilisation in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, the protest failed to draw the expected crowds. MES had planned a rally from Sambhaji Circle to the deputy commissioner’s office, but the city police denied permission for the march.</p><p>The few who did assemble raised slogans demanding the use of Marathi in government documents and signage, in accordance with the provisions of the Linguistic Minorities Act. They also displayed placards demanding the merger of Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka with Maharashtra, shouting slogans such as ‘We will live in Maharashtra or in jail’, while also referring to the government as ‘nalayak’ (incompetent).</p><p>The MES leaders urged that government documents and signboards in areas with more than 15% Marathi-speaking population, including Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, should be made available in Marathi.</p><p>‘Reinstate Marathi </p><p>signboards’</p><p>MES Working President and former MLA Manohar Kinekar alleged that following the visit of Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottam Bilimale to the Belagavi City Corporation, all signboards in Marathi had been removed. </p><p>He demanded their reinstatement and called for the use of Marathi on official vehicles of the mayor and deputy mayor, as well as on all government communication. </p><p>He warned that MES would intensify its protest if these demands were not met within a month.</p><p>Belagavi City Corporation corporator Ravi Salunke said the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute is still pending in the Supreme Court, and that the implementation of Kannada in disputed regions should be halted until the matter is resolved.</p><p>A memorandum listing MES’s demands was submitted to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan.</p><p>MES leaders Malojirao Ashtekar, former MLA Digambar Patil, R M Chougule, Vikas Kalghatgi, Ranjit Chavan Patil, Amar Yellurkar, Prakash Margale, Shubham Shelke, Ramakant Konduskar and others were present.</p>
<p>Belagavi: Aprotest organised by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Monday, opposing the implementation of Kannada in government affairs, witnessed a poor turnout, with only a handful of activists and office-bearers gathering at the deputy commissioner’s office here.</p><p>Despite earlier claims of a large-scale demonstration and widespread mobilisation in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, the protest failed to draw the expected crowds. MES had planned a rally from Sambhaji Circle to the deputy commissioner’s office, but the city police denied permission for the march.</p><p>The few who did assemble raised slogans demanding the use of Marathi in government documents and signage, in accordance with the provisions of the Linguistic Minorities Act. They also displayed placards demanding the merger of Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka with Maharashtra, shouting slogans such as ‘We will live in Maharashtra or in jail’, while also referring to the government as ‘nalayak’ (incompetent).</p><p>The MES leaders urged that government documents and signboards in areas with more than 15% Marathi-speaking population, including Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, should be made available in Marathi.</p><p>‘Reinstate Marathi </p><p>signboards’</p><p>MES Working President and former MLA Manohar Kinekar alleged that following the visit of Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottam Bilimale to the Belagavi City Corporation, all signboards in Marathi had been removed. </p><p>He demanded their reinstatement and called for the use of Marathi on official vehicles of the mayor and deputy mayor, as well as on all government communication. </p><p>He warned that MES would intensify its protest if these demands were not met within a month.</p><p>Belagavi City Corporation corporator Ravi Salunke said the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute is still pending in the Supreme Court, and that the implementation of Kannada in disputed regions should be halted until the matter is resolved.</p><p>A memorandum listing MES’s demands was submitted to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan.</p><p>MES leaders Malojirao Ashtekar, former MLA Digambar Patil, R M Chougule, Vikas Kalghatgi, Ranjit Chavan Patil, Amar Yellurkar, Prakash Margale, Shubham Shelke, Ramakant Konduskar and others were present.</p>
