THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Kannada and Marathi speaking people of Belagavi and surrounding areas observed Karnataka Statehood Day (November 1) with counter rallies.
While the Kannadigas celebrated the day with jubilation, the Marathi-speaking people under the banner of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) observed a Kaala Din (Black Day) protest.
Claiming that during the language wise regionalisation of states, on November 1, 1956, the Union Government meted out injustice on Marathi speaking people in the entire border area including Belagavi, Bidar, Karwar etc, the Marathi speaking people observed November 1 as a black day protesting through a cycle and bicycle rally.
Accordingly, a massive cycle protest was held in the city under the leadership of the MES. Activists shouted slogans demanding merger of Belagavi, Bidar, Bhalki, Karwar and neighbouring areas in Maharashtra.
The protest rally comprising of men, women, children and youngsters started in the morning at Dharmaveer Sambhaji Udyan and went around interior lanes if the city and later culminated at Shahapur in the afternoon.
Referring to the ongoing assembly elections in Maharashtra, the MES leaders contended that all the political parties in Maharashtra have not mentioned the border issue in their election manifestos.
“A new government will be formed in Maharashtra by the end of this month. We all should start working with determination to force the new Maharashtra government to initiate measures to resolve the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue in the Supreme Court under any circumstances,” former MLA and senior MES leader Manohar Kinekar said. He also complained that despite repeated requests, no political party in Maharashtra has included the Belagavi border issue in their election manifesto.
Meanwhile, Kannada Rajyotsva was observed amid pomp and fervour in the city and its surroundings. The Rajyotsava procession also started in the morning by offering garlands to the statue of Veer Rani Channamma in Rani Channamma Circle. District Incharge Minister Satish Jarkiholi, MLA Raju Sait, District Collector Mohammad Roshan and others took part in the function.
Later workers of various national political parties and Kannada activists took part in a massive procession that went throughout the main city roads. All the city streets were jam packed and hoisting the state flag, the activists took part in the rally in large numbers.
The procession continued till late Friday night. The city came to a standstill as all the shops and business establishments remained closed since Friday afternoon. The police had maintained a strict vigil.
Traffic was diverted throughout the day from outside the city posing inconvenience to commuters.
