Latest news with #Kannadigas

The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ruckus in Belagavi council over MES member's demand for govt. documents in Marathi
A demand by a council member belonging to Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) for providing documents and council proceedings in Marathi led to heated arguments and ruckus in the monthly council meeting of the Municipal Corporation in Belagavi on Thursday. The demand was made to MES member Ravi Salunke and it was supported by MES-backed members Shivaji Mandolkar and Viashali Bhatkande. However, this was strongly opposed and condemned by other members, including those of the ruling party (BJP). Reacting strongly to the demand, nominated member Ramesh Sontakki pointed out that although Kannadigas are a majority in Akkalkot, Jath and Solapur, government documents are being provided there only in Marathi and not in Kannada. He urged the council not to pass any resolution in favour of giving documents in Marathi and pointed out that the MES members are repeatedly raising the issue unnecessarily. Floor leader Hanumanth Kongali demanded that the proceedings of the council should be conducted as per the agenda and none, including Ravi Salunke, should be allowed to deviate from it. Taking strong exception to Mr. Salunke's demand, other BJP members demanded that Mr. Salunke should be disqualified for taking a stand that is against the State of Karnataka. As the altercation among ruling party members and MES members escalated leading to cacophony, Mayor Mangesh Pawar adjourned the meeting for five minutes. Meanwhile, MLA Abhay Patil said that Congress support extended to him is the reason for such behaviour of Mr. Salunke. After the meeting resumed, the BJP members demanded that the proceedings be conducted as per agenda and rules and that none should speak in between or create confusion by raising unwarranted issues. Mr. Mangesh Pawar ruled that if members violated the rules, then he will be forced to take action.


United News of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Siddaramaiah slams Goa CM over Mahadayi remarks
Bengaluru, July 24 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today lashed out at the Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over his remarks on the Mahadayi river water dispute, calling them "an insult to the people of Karnataka," and accused the BJP-led Union government of betraying the state through silence and covert obstruction. In a statement, Siddaramaiah questioned the Centre's failure to officially respond to Karnataka's repeated representations on the issue. "Is this what federalism looks like under BJP rule – betrayal, sabotage from behind closed doors, and a calculated silence?" he asked. The controversy intensified after the Goa Chief Minister reiterated his government's firm opposition to any diversion of the Mahadayi river, asserting that the water must continue to flow into the state to meet essential drinking water needs and sustain the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem. "Our issue is simple — the Mahadayi river water that comes to Goa must keep flowing. We need it for drinking, and it is also the lifeline of the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary. The survival of wildlife there depends on this water," the Goa CM said. He further added that Goa would continue to pursue the matter in all legal forums. "Whether it is the Supreme Court or the Tribunal, our fight will go on. We will fight this case in the Supreme Court till the very end," he asserted. Reacting sharply to these remarks, Siddaramaiah reiterated that the Mahadayi project is not meant for luxury or wasteful use, but is a "lifeline" for over 40 lakh people in the parched districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and surrounding areas. 'What crime have Kannadigas committed? Are we being punished for not surrendering to the BJP?' he asked. He also hit out at BJP and JD(S) leaders in Karnataka for their silence, calling it 'shameful and spineless.' 'Their silence today will be remembered tomorrow,' the Chief Minister warned. Despite the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal's 2018 verdict allocating 13.42 TMC of water to Karnataka, Siddaramaiah alleged that the Centre, in collusion with Goa's BJP government, was stalling the project's implementation through indirect means. Reaffirming his government's commitment to the cause, Siddaramaiah said: 'We will fight legally, politically, and morally until our people receive what is rightfully theirs.' UNI BDN PRS


Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Is running a crime?': Bengaluru run club member shares video of alleged police threats
A video shared by an Instagram user has sparked debate over policing and public space use in Bengaluru's Electronics City, after members of a local running group were allegedly confronted and threatened by the police during a Sunday morning run. Bengaluru cops allegedly threatened a run club member in Electronics City. (Screengrab of viral video) Also Read - 'Why are Kannadigas being punished?' Siddaramaiah slams Goa CM Pramod Sawant over Mahadayi dispute Here is the video The incident reportedly occurred in Phase 1 of Electronics City on July 21, when a group of runners from a club called 'Run & Rave' were asked to leave the area by two policemen. One of the runners, an Instagram user named Yang, posted a video of the encounter, questioning the legality of running on public roads. 'Is running illegal in India?' Yang asked in his caption. 'Me along with friends were running in Electronics City Phase 1 and this is what happened.' The footage shows two uniformed policemen approaching the runners, asking them to disperse. In one clip, a policeman is seen confronting a woman and demanding she leave the area. 'Why are you still here when I told you to leave?' the officer is heard saying. While initial reactions on social media suggested that the incident may have stemmed from a language barrier, Yang later clarified that the issue was far more serious. 'This is not about language,' he said in a follow-up post. 'It's about how the cop behaved. He said things like 'I will beat you' and 'I will kill you'—that's not acceptable.' Yang also acknowledged a CISF personnel who stepped in to defuse the situation and help the runners. Also Read - BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj interrogated once more in Bengaluru rowdy's murder case: Report Despite the confrontation, Yang made it clear that the group would not be discouraged. 'After everything that happened last week, we just want to say one thing, we're not stopping. This Sunday, July 27, Run & Rave is back, with more energy, more community, and more good vibes,' he said. 'We're not here to fight. We're here to move. To run together. To build something positive. If you've ever felt the joy of a morning run, this is your cue.' The videos quickly gained traction on social media, with users expressing concern over the police's behaviour. Several demanded accountability, urging the runners to file formal complaints under criminal intimidation laws if the officers were not part of the official police force. However, the episode also drew criticism from some commuters, who alleged that the runners were blocking roads and causing inconvenience. One commenter wrote, 'If they're private guards and this happens again, file an FIR and press charges under BNS 141 for criminal intimidation.'


New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Goa CM's Mahadayi remark an insult to Kannadigas: CM Siddaramaiah
BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that his Goa counterpart Pramod Sawant's recent statement in the Goa Legislative Assembly that Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav informed him that the Union Government will not give its nod for the Mahadayi river diversion project (also known as Kalasa-Banduri project) is an insult to the people of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah said that they will fight legally, politically, and morally until Karnataka gets its rightful share. 'Why hasn't the Union Government officially communicated any concerns? Is this how federalism works under BJP? Backdoor sabotage, silence, and betrayal? What crime have Kannadigas committed? Are we being punished for not surrendering to the BJP?' the CM said. Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste, it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka, he said. 'For decades, our people have waited for justice. But BJP's and JDS' Karnataka leaders have no spine to speak up. Their silence today will be remembered tomorrow. Despite the 2018 tribunal verdict allocating 13.42 tmcft of water to us, the Centre, hand in glove with Goa's BJP govt, is blocking the implementation of our rightful project,' the CM added. Meanwhile, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil expressed shock over Sawant's statement. Speaking to the media in Vidhana Soudha, Patil said that Karnataka will discuss the Mahadayi issue during the monsoon session of the legislature beginning August 11. Sawant had reportedly said that his government will move the Supreme Court, alleging that Karnataka has taken up activities on its territory that amount to sub judice. 'We are shocked by the official statement made by Goa CM Pramod Sawant in the Goa Assembly that Union Minister Bhupendar Yadav has informed him that the Centre will not approve the Mahadayi project for any reason. The Mahadayi water dispute was settled by a tribunal under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, which gave a final verdict that was published in the Central Government Gazette. The verdict of the tribunal has come into force,' Patil added.


Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Why are Kannadigas being punished?' Siddaramaiah slams Goa CM Pramod Sawant over Mahadayi dispute
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly criticised Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over his recent comments on the Mahadayi river water project, calling them an "insult" to the people of Karnataka. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Siddaramaiah lashed out at both the Goa government and the Centre, accusing them of betraying the interests of the state and questioning the silence of Karnataka BJP and JD(S) leaders. : Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah addressing a press conference, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 10(PTI) Also Read - Explosives found at Bengaluru bus stand trigger heightened security, probe on: Report Take a look at the post Reacting sharply to Sawant's remarks in the Goa Assembly, where the Goa CM claimed that Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav had assured him that the Mahadayi project would not be cleared under any circumstance, Siddaramaiah questioned the Centre's lack of formal communication to Karnataka. 'Is this how federalism functions under BJP? Through backdoor sabotage, silence and betrayal?' he posted. 'What wrong have Kannadigas done? Are we being punished for not surrendering to the BJP?' The Mahadayi river dispute, which has lingered for decades, centres around Karnataka's demand to draw water from the river to meet drinking water needs in its northern districts. Siddaramaiah made it clear that the Mahadayi project is not a luxury, but a necessity — one intended to provide drinking water to over 40 lakh people across Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and surrounding areas. Also Read - 'Stop spreading Bengaluru hate…': Reddit users clash over traffic-related posts 'Despite the 2018 tribunal ruling awarding Karnataka 13.42 TMC of water, the Centre is colluding with the Goa government to stall our rights,' he alleged, adding that the project was being treated not as a basic lifeline but as a political bargaining chip. He further said Karnataka would continue its legal, political, and moral battle until it secures its fair share of water. Siddaramaiah also condemned leaders from Karnataka's BJP and JD(S), accusing them of failing to raise their voices against the Centre's stance and Goa's opposition. 'Their silence today will be remembered tomorrow,' he warned. Echoing the Chief Minister's criticism, Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil also objected to Sawant's statements, calling them 'shocking'. He questioned how such assurances could be made unofficially without taking Karnataka into confidence.