Mon Feb 24 14:36:43 UTC 2025: **Belagavi Minister Urges Calm Amidst Language Dispute**
BELAGAVI, Karnataka – District in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi has appealed for calm following an attack on a North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) bus conductor, urging Kannada groups to cancel planned protests. The incident, sparked by a language dispute, has led to heightened tensions between Kannada and Marathi speaking communities in the border region.
While acknowledging the incident, Minister Jarkiholi stressed that it was an isolated case and that five suspects have been arrested. He also noted a counter-case filed against the conductor and called for allowing the police investigation to proceed without escalating the situation. He specifically urged against framing the incident as a conflict between Kannada and Marathi communities, warning that such portrayal would hinder the district’s development.
The Minister expressed concern over the filing of a POCSO Act case against the conductor, suggesting it may have been a police error that requires review. He emphasized the need for maintaining peace and harmony, highlighting the negative impact of any disruptions to law and order on development initiatives. He further condemned attacks on buses in neighboring Solapur and stated that district officials are working to restore normalcy, including resuming inter-state bus services. The Minister also plans to advise district officials to consult the state government before making assurances to the National Linguistic Minorities Commission or pro-Marathi groups. Despite this appeal for calm, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president Narayana Gowda has announced a protest in Belagavi for Tuesday.
First Piper 