As citizens here cry foul over the stoic and perceived silence of their legislators and MPs on serious matters such as the boundary dispute, communal violence and corrupt practices, the latter continue to show apathy.
The latest case in point is the failure of any one of the 18 legislators, particularly those representing Belagavi North, Belagavi South and Belagavi Rural, and three MPs representing the district, to even condemn the communal violence that erupted during and after the Ganesh immersion processions in the city and other parts of the district recently, leave alone taking a lead in restoring peace and communal harmony.
Barring the role of two legislators affiliated to the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), what has come in for sharp criticism time and again by the pro-Kannada organisations is the stoic and perceived silence of all other 16 legislators and three MPs on the long-pending boundary dispute and issues concerning the development of Kannada language and its implementation in administration. The latest to express his ire on their silence is V.S. Malimath, Chairman of the Karnataka Border Protection Commission. He has repeatedly questioned their silence.
“Yet, they continue to remain unresponsive to our problems,” say Kannada activists here.
Interestingly, Mr. Malimath yet again pointed out that these leaders had an interest in the Marathi vote bank, but did not have the courtesy to meet him. He even asked Kannadigas to warn them that they would not vote for them if they remained indifferent to their problems.
Minister for Small-Scale Industries and district in-charge Satish L. Jarkiholi, after reportedly learning about the former’s remarks, met Mr. Malimath and pointed out that there was no invitation to attend the commission’s meetings.
But, Mr. Malimath categorically made it clear that he was here for their issues, and therefore, need not wait for an invite but participate voluntarily.
Will they respond or continue to be indifferent, remains to be answered.
