Pro-Maharashtra outfit defies Section 144, observes ‘black day’ in Belagavi as Karnataka celebrates Rajyotsava

Based on a report by the Belagavi City Police Commissioner SN Siddaramappa, Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil issued an order barring three Maharashtra’s ministers and a Shiv Sena MP from entering Belagavi, reasoning that their participating in the MES event might affect law and order in the region.

Despite being barred, the MES proceeded with its annual protest, prompting the commissioner to direct the police to take action against the organisation for breaching the orders.

Meanwhile, the Belagavi Police prevented the members of the Shiv Sena and pro-Maratha outfits from entering Belagavi. They were stopped at an interstate check-post on Wednesday.

“The MES did not approach the district administration seeking permission for this event. it approached the city police commissioner, who denied permission,” Patil told South First.

“But still some of them turned out. Compared to the previous year, they were less. I have directed the police to initiate action against the MES. Around five lakh people from across the state have arrived at Belagavi to celebrate the Karnataka Rajyotsava,” he added.

Related: Villages in Maharashtra want merger with Karnataka

Tensions escalate

Meanwhile, tension prevailed at the Karnataka-Maharashtra border as the police prevented Shiv Sena activists led by Kolhapur district president Vijay Devane from entering Belagavi to participate in the “black day” event.

The MES has long been advocating the merger of Marathi-speaking areas, including Belagavi, Nippani, Bidar, and Bhalki, with Maharashtra.

The development comes after MES representatives sought support from Maharashtra Chief Minister Ekanath Shinde on the boundary issue, emphasising their demand for the integration of specific regions into Maharashtra.

After Shinde made a remark that his party workers will take part in MES’s black day in Belagavi, on the reports of Belagavi City Police Commissioner Siddaramappa, Deputy Commissioner Patil not only imposed Section 144 of the CrPC but also barred the ministers and MPs from Maharashtra entering Belagavi district.

Related: What the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute is all about

Government’s failure: Kannada Activist

Meanwhile, pro-Kannada activist blamed the Siddaramaiah government for allowing MES to observe “black day” on Karnataka Rajyotsava in Belagavi.

Terming it as appeasement politics, Belagavi District Kannada Organisations’ Action Committee President Ashok Chandaragi said it was the complete failure of the state government. “They failed to protect the interests and sentiments of Kannadigas by allowing the MES to observe a ‘black day’ on Karnataka Rajyotsava,” he said.

“This is appeasement of Maratha community by the local political leaders, irrespective of their party affiliations. Maratha is dominant in several constituencies. The elected representatives keep mum against these activities of MES,” he told South First.

“This has become an annual affair for MES because of the loose policy of the Karnataka government. The MES should not be allowed to observe ‘black day’,” he opined.

“We believe that they will be restricted and the interests of Kannadigas will be protected. But nothing of the sort happened in the region. This is the government’s failure,” he said.

However, he applauded the Belagavi Police for preventing the Shiv Sena and other pro-Maratha organisations from entering the district.

(With PTI inputs)