Belagavi: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) general body meeting was adjourned indefinitely on Tuesday following a heated confrontation over a proposed resolution declaring Belagavi an integral part of Karnataka.
Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/belagavi-resolution-row-rocks-bcc-meet-forces-indefinite-adjournment/articleshow/133328132.cms
The meeting, held after a gap of nearly three months, witnessed intense slogan-shouting and protests inside the House, while pro-Kannada organisations staged demonstrations outside the corporation office, prompting tight police security in the area.
The resolution has been a contentious issue for the past four months, with pro-Kannada organisations demanding that the BCC pass a one-line resolution affirming Belagavi’s status as part of Karnataka.
Opposition demands immediate resolution
Soon after the meeting began, opposition councillors, including Congress members and Independents led by government-nominated councillor Ramesh Sontakki, demanded that the resolution be taken up immediately.
When Mayor Preeti Kamkar and Deputy Mayor Hanamant Kongali did not agree to take up the resolution, opposition councillors entered the well of the House and raised slogans of “Karnataka Mathege Jayavagali.” BJP councillors responded with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans, escalating tensions inside the House.
Opposition members argued that no further legal opinion was required on the matter and that the civic body should make its position clear. They cited the Mahajan Commission report and also pointed out that the corporation had passed a resolution favouring Maharashtra in 2005, despite the border dispute being pending before the court.
Mayor’s statement rejected
Amid the growing uproar, Mayor Preeti Kamkar read out a statement affirming that the corporation, which functions under the Karnataka government, remains committed to Kannada language, culture and heritage.
However, opposition councillors rejected the statement, insisting that the corporation must explicitly declare that Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka.
Ramesh Sontakki warned the mayor and deputy mayor of political consequences if the demand was not addressed. Kamkar, meanwhile, maintained that the corporation should focus on development-related issues rather than emotional matters.
Despite two adjournments aimed at restoring order, the protests and slogan-shouting continued. With no agreement among councillors, the mayor eventually adjourned the meeting indefinitely.
MES opposes resolution
Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) member Ravi Salunkhe opposed the proposed resolution, stating that the matter should not be taken up while the Belagavi border dispute remains pending before the Supreme Court.
The developments have once again brought the long-standing Belagavi border issue into the spotlight, with political and linguistic groups continuing to press for their respective positions.
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