Belagavi/Kalaburgi, 1 Nov

In open defiance of the State government’s ban, pro-Maharashtrian organisations - Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) -  observed a 'Black Day' protest in Belagavi on Karnataka Rajyotsava. They demanded that the region be absorbed into Maharashtra instead of being in Karnataka. 

Dressed in black attire and carrying black flags, MES activists— including women and children—marched through parts of Belagavi South on Saturday and raised pro-Maharashtra slogans and chanted against the Karnataka government.

The police, despite denying permission for the event, were seen providing security to the unlawful procession, prompting outrage among Kannada organisations and citizens who called it an “insult” to the State. 

The rally began at Dharmaveer Sambhaji Ground and moved through Batkande Nagar, Port Road and Patil Galli, before culminating in a meeting at a local community hall.

As the tensions flared, police detained at least 20 Karnataka Rakshna Vedike activists of who tried to barge into the hall where the pro-Maharashtrians were holding the black day meeting. They were later released.

The pro-Maharashtra march took place as somewhere between 3-4 lakh people gathered at Rani Channamma circle in Belagavi to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava.

Meanwhile, Kolhapur (Hatakanagala) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Dhairyasheel Mane and Kolhapur district Shiv Sena President Vijay Devane, who were on their way to Belagavi to attend the protest, were stopped by police at the Kognolli check-post near the Maharashtra–Karnataka border and sent back. Mane and Devane have reportedly repeated such symbolic border “dramas” several times in the past.

Adding to the controversy, a local police inspector faced flak after a selfie of him with MES leader Shubham Shelake, who attended the protest in a black dress, surfaced on social media. 

The same officer had previously recommended Shelake’s externment from the district. 

Kalyan Karnataka bodies demand a separate state 

Members of Kalyana Karnataka Pratyeka Rajya Jagruti Samiti were detained for demanding a separate state for the Kalyana Karnataka region.

On Karnataka Rajyotsava Day, the Kalyan Karnataka Prathek Rajya Jagruti Samithi held a protest in Kalaburagi demanding a separate state for the Kalyan Karnataka region. The protesters claimed that the Kalyan Karnataka region has been neglected by the government for several years.

Sanjeev Kumar Dongargav, a member of the Samiti, demanded decentralisation, arguing that decentralisation would bring administration closer to the people, enhance basic facilities, and ensure more equitable revenue distribution.
"Karnataka is big, the population has increased since 1947, and there are various benefits for decentralisation. Due to decentralisation, basic services are provided, and governance control is with us, ensuring more equitable revenue distribution. My only demand is decentralisation...I believe everybody benefits from this process," said Dongargav.