Mixed response to Maratha Kranti Morcha in Belagavi

The Maratha Kranti Morcha rally organised by the Maratha community seeking early resolution of the Karnataka -Maharashtra boundary dispute, justice to the rape and murder victim from Kothradi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and reservation benefits for the community under backward classes, evoked mixed response from the Maratha community and Marathi-speaking populace here.

A silent rally that commenced from Shivaji Garden culminated at Sambhaji Circle after traversing through prominent lanes of the city. Participants sporting saffron headgear and T-shirts with slogans ‘Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha’ and ‘Belagavi Belongs to Maharashtra’ made it to the procession, which also witnessed women and children in large numbers.

Along with the Maratha community and Marathi speaking people from Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, Marathas from villages in the neighbouring Kolhapur district of Maharashtra too participated in the rally. With leaders of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti taking lead in organising the rally, leaders of the mainstream political parties kept away from it.

Minor girls, who addressed the rally, said that Karnataka has been meting injustice to the Maratha community and Marathi speaking populace and hence Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary row should be resolved at the earliest. Linguistic minority rights of Marathi speaking people be protected, they added. They also demanded that all government documents and communication must be made available in Marathi.

DH News Service