MES protest over Kannada implementation fizzles out

2 days ago

Belagavi: Aprotest organised by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Monday, opposing the implementation of Kannada in government affairs, witnessed a poor turnout, with only a handful of activists and office-bearers gathering at the deputy commissioner's office here.Despite earlier claims of a large-scale demonstration and widespread mobilisation in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, the protest failed to draw the expected crowds. MES had planned a rally from Sambhaji Circle to the deputy commissioner's office, but the city police denied permission for the march.The few who did assemble raised slogans demanding the use of Marathi in government documents and signage, in accordance with the provisions of the Linguistic Minorities Act. They also displayed placards demanding the merger of Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka with Maharashtra, shouting slogans such as 'We will live in Maharashtra or in jail', while also referring to the government as 'nalayak' (incompetent).The MES leaders urged that government documents and signboards in areas with more than 15% Marathi-speaking population, including Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, should be made available in Marathi.'Reinstate Marathi signboards'MES Working President and former MLA Manohar Kinekar alleged that following the visit of Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottam Bilimale to the Belagavi City Corporation, all signboards in Marathi had been removed. He demanded their reinstatement and called for the use of Marathi on official vehicles of the mayor and deputy mayor, as well as on all government communication. He warned that MES would intensify its protest if these demands were not met within a month.Belagavi City Corporation corporator Ravi Salunke said the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute is still pending in the Supreme Court, and that the implementation of Kannada in disputed regions should be halted until the matter is resolved.A memorandum listing MES's demands was submitted to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan.MES leaders Malojirao Ashtekar, former MLA Digambar Patil, R M Chougule, Vikas Kalghatgi, Ranjit Chavan Patil, Amar Yellurkar, Prakash Margale, Shubham Shelke, Ramakant Konduskar and others were present.

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Karnataka rolls out measures to enforce plastic ban in temples from August 15

The Hindu

an hour ago

The Hindu

Karnataka rolls out measures to enforce plastic ban in temples from August 15

From August 15, the use of all types of plastic — including water bottles — will be strictly prohibited in all temples under the State's Religious Endowment Department, and measures are being put in place to enforce it, said Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Replying to members in the Legislative Council, the Minister said several measures have been taken to keep the premises inside and outside notified/declared temples and institutions clean. Management unit A project management unit has been set up, and in the first phase, 25 temples under the department have been selected for the installation of solid and liquid waste management units. Locations have been identified for these units, and a team of experts will oversee scientific waste disposal, he said. Officials of temples under the department's jurisdiction have been instructed to impose fines if plastic products are used within their premises. However, this order will not apply to private temples, the Minister clarified. The Minister further stated that funds collected in government temples will be used only for the maintenance, renovation, and basic facilities of the respective temples, as well as for educational institutions run by them and other religious purposes, not for any other purpose. Pointing out that efforts will be made to adopt the practice of chanting mantras in Kannada in the temples of the State, Mr. Reddy said that if mantras are recited in Kannada, everyone will be able to understand them. Temples in tribal areas He also assured the Legislative Council that grants will be provided through the Social Welfare Department for small shrines belonging to people living inside forests. Replying to BJP MLC Shantharam Budna Siddi in the Council, the Minister said grants can be sanctioned under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) schemes for shrine construction in areas where tribal and forest-dwelling communities live. The matter would be discussed with the Social Welfare Minister, he said, adding that limited grants could also be provided through the Muzrai Department using his special powers. Mr. Siddi said that there are about 50 tribal and forest-dwelling communities, of which 40 live inside forests. These communities often worship in front of stone idols. He pointed out that there is currently no grant available to build shrines in such places.

Only Raj Thackeray can resolve pigeon feeding issue: Jain monk after Marathi outfit stages protest

Hindustan Times

an hour ago

Hindustan Times

Only Raj Thackeray can resolve pigeon feeding issue: Jain monk after Marathi outfit stages protest

Mumbai, As protests favouring and opposing feeding of pigeons in Dadar area of Mumbai threatened to escalate into a confrontation between two communities, a Jain monk on Wednesday sought the intervention of MNS chief Raj Thackeray to defuse the situation. Only Raj Thackeray can resolve pigeon feeding issue: Jain monk after Marathi outfit stages protest "The ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray are reflected in Raj Thackeray. I want to meet him. He can only end this dispute. I request you to resolve the issue," the monk, Nileshchandra Vijay said, dubbing the MNS president "Marathi hridaysamrat". He expressed his desire to meet Raj Thackeray. Earlier in the day, Marathi Ekikaran Samiti activists demonstrated at the kabutarkhana in support of the ban on feeding pigeons. They alleged that police had not taken any action against protesters who tore up tarpaulin sheets covering the pigeon feeding area last week. The monk clarified that the protest by the Jain community last week was not against any section of society. However, this issue is being projected as a clash between locals and "outsiders". "The demonstrations were held to save the lives of pigeons," he stressed, claiming that more than 20,000 pigeons starved to death in the last 20-25 days amid the feeding ban. If Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Marathi manoos is insulted, the culprits can be given a prasad , Vijay said. The monk had caused a flutter by saying that the Jain community would take up arms for religion if the restrictions on feeding birds at the Kabatarkhana were not lifted. Activists of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, led by its president Govardhan Deshmukh, staged demonstrations at the kaburtarkhana around 11 AM. Police detained Deshmukh and several other demonstrators, officials said. On August 6, a large number of protesters removed the tarpaulin cover, put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation at the Dadar kabutarkhana to discourage the practice of feeding grains to pigeons, and also clashed with police. Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha later claimed Jain community members had no role in the protest at the popular pigeon feeding spot. The BMC on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court that it intends to allow controlled feeding of pigeons for two hours each morning at the Dadar Kabutarkhana, subject to conditions. A bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Arif Doctor, however, stated that before granting any such permission, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation should issue a public notice inviting objections. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

News18

2 hours ago

News18

Those Inciting Violence In The Name Of Marathi Don't Understand The Language: Fadnavis At News18 Townhall

At the CNN-News18 Townhall in Mumbai on Wednesday, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the topic of Marathi culture and language, underscoring a stance of pride and unity while strongly condemning language-based incitement and violence. He stated that those attempting to incite people on the basis of language do not truly understand Marathi culture, which he described as one of inclusivity and respect.