<p>Belagavi: At a time when different linguistic communities are learning the state language Kannada and joining the mainstream, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has once again stirred controversy by demanding official documents in Marathi in the border areas and opposing the implementation of Kannada, the state’s official language. The move is being seen as a politically motivated attempt to polarise voters ahead of the upcoming Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections.</p><p>Despite losing much of its influence in recent years, MES has revived its longstanding demand for the use of Marathi in government communication, citing provisions of the Linguistic Minorities Act. </p><p>While earlier the group restricted its appeals to the district administration, recently they have begun to make demands to the elected representatives of political parties too.</p><p>In recent developments, MES leaders met Public Works Department and Belagavi District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi in Gokak and Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in Belagavi, urging them to implement the use of Marathi in official documents. They warned that Marathi-speaking voters form a significant portion of the electorate in Yamakanamaradi and Belgaum Rural Assembly constituencies, represented by the two ministers, and their demand should be taken seriously.</p><p><strong>Reigniting linguistic sentiments</strong></p><p>Political observers believe the MES is trying to reignite linguistic sentiments and consolidate its base in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks ahead of the local body polls. However, their efforts during the Belagavi City Corporation elections failed, as Marathi-speaking voters chose BJP and Congress candidates over MES-backed ones, signaling a decline in support for the pro-Maharashtra outfit.</p><p>Karnataka State Border Areas Development Authority member Ashok Chandargi cautioned political leaders against yielding to MES pressure, stating, “For political gains, leaders should not compromise on the interests of Kannada. Pro-Kannada voters are in large numbers and will not take such actions lightly.”</p><p><strong>Legal action sought</strong></p><p>In a recent meeting chaired by Tourism, Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Boundary Areas In-charge Minister H K Patil, Kannada activists reiterated their demand for a ban on MES and sought legal action against its leaders for attempting to sow linguistic discord. They pointed out that Kannada-speaking people in Maharashtra are not given similar linguistic privileges and have learned Marathi to integrate into the mainstream.</p><p>Minister Patil assured that there would be no rollback </p><p>in the implementation of Kannada in the state’s administration. </p><p>The district administration has also briefed MES representatives about the scope and limitations of the Linguistic Minorities Act.</p>
<p>Belagavi: At a time when different linguistic communities are learning the state language Kannada and joining the mainstream, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has once again stirred controversy by demanding official documents in Marathi in the border areas and opposing the implementation of Kannada, the state’s official language. The move is being seen as a politically motivated attempt to polarise voters ahead of the upcoming Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections.</p><p>Despite losing much of its influence in recent years, MES has revived its longstanding demand for the use of Marathi in government communication, citing provisions of the Linguistic Minorities Act. </p><p>While earlier the group restricted its appeals to the district administration, recently they have begun to make demands to the elected representatives of political parties too.</p><p>In recent developments, MES leaders met Public Works Department and Belagavi District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi in Gokak and Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in Belagavi, urging them to implement the use of Marathi in official documents. They warned that Marathi-speaking voters form a significant portion of the electorate in Yamakanamaradi and Belgaum Rural Assembly constituencies, represented by the two ministers, and their demand should be taken seriously.</p><p><strong>Reigniting linguistic sentiments</strong></p><p>Political observers believe the MES is trying to reignite linguistic sentiments and consolidate its base in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks ahead of the local body polls. However, their efforts during the Belagavi City Corporation elections failed, as Marathi-speaking voters chose BJP and Congress candidates over MES-backed ones, signaling a decline in support for the pro-Maharashtra outfit.</p><p>Karnataka State Border Areas Development Authority member Ashok Chandargi cautioned political leaders against yielding to MES pressure, stating, “For political gains, leaders should not compromise on the interests of Kannada. Pro-Kannada voters are in large numbers and will not take such actions lightly.”</p><p><strong>Legal action sought</strong></p><p>In a recent meeting chaired by Tourism, Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Boundary Areas In-charge Minister H K Patil, Kannada activists reiterated their demand for a ban on MES and sought legal action against its leaders for attempting to sow linguistic discord. They pointed out that Kannada-speaking people in Maharashtra are not given similar linguistic privileges and have learned Marathi to integrate into the mainstream.</p><p>Minister Patil assured that there would be no rollback </p><p>in the implementation of Kannada in the state’s administration. </p><p>The district administration has also briefed MES representatives about the scope and limitations of the Linguistic Minorities Act.</p>