Belagavi border dispute: Silence of KSP draws criticism from Kannada groups

Belagavi: The silence of the district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat and several prominent literary figures over the demand of passing a resolution in Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) declaring ‘Belagavi as an integral part of Karnataka’ has drawn criticism fromKannada organisations, which have been staging protests for over two months on the issue.Kannada activists have been urging BCC to pass a symbolic one-line resolution affirming Belagavi’s place within Karnataka. While demonstrations and public campaigns have intensified in recent weeks, activists say literary and cultural institutions associated with Kannada have yet to openly express their stand on the issue.On May 26, more than 25 Kannada organisations from Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak and other parts of the state staged a protest inBelagavi. Senior Kannada activists, including Vatal Nagaraj and Sa Ra Govindu participated in the demonstration and urged the administration to respond to the demand.Speaking to TOI, Ashok Chandaragi, president of the Belagavi district Kannada organisations action committee, said it was unfortunate that several local literary figures, who built their careers through Kannada, remained silent on such a sensitive issue.“Eight prominent literary figures from Bengaluru, including Vasundhara Bhupati, RG Halli Nagaraj, SG Siddaramaiah and M Marulasiddappa, supported our protest by sending a signed letter. Belagavi Youth Writers’ Forum, Karnataka, comprising 28 young writers, also participated in the demonstration. However, no senior local writers extended support. As far as Kannada Sahitya Parishat is concerned, we feel it is virtually non-existent,” Chandaragi said.Senior lawyer Ravindra Totiger said Kannada organisations, intellectuals and writers should display unity on issues concerning the state’s linguistic identity. “It is unfortunate that the mayor and deputy mayor are hesitating to pass the resolution citing the pending Supreme Court case. Legally, there is no restriction preventing the city corporation from passing such a resolution. Nearly 13 commissions have recommended that Belagavi remain part of Karnataka, and Maharashtra has merely challenged those reports. That does not mean Karnataka should stop asserting its claim over Belagavi. In fact, such resolutions could strengthen Karnataka’s position before the Supreme Court,” Totiger said.