Pro-Kannada activists have urged V.S. Malimath, who heads the Karnataka Border Protection Commission, to visit the city to lend a ear to the grievances of pro-Kannada organisations. The activists have threatened to observe Karnataka Rajyotsava day celebrations separately as a mark of protest against the failure of the government to implement its promises on issues related to the development of border areas of north Karnataka region.
Veteran Kannada leader Siddangouda Patil, senior leader Raghavendra Joshi and Belagavi District Kannada Organisations Action Committee president Ashok Chandargi said here on Wednesday that the the government had not responded to even Mr. Malimath’s suggestions, which showed its continued indifferent attitude to issues plaguing the region.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised to set up a Political Affairs Committee under H.K. Patil, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and convene a special meeting to discuss border issues at Belagavi, but no action had been taken, Mr. Siddangouda Patil said.
The government was not serious to ensure that the decision to rename Belgaum as Belagavi (the Kannada version of the district’s name) was complied to in all government and private establishments, he charged.
