In a major development fulfilling a long-standing demand of Kannada activist groups, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) on Wednesday adopted a resolution declaring Belagavi an integral part of Karnataka.
The move was passed without debate during the evening session of the civic council, despite vocal objections from Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) members.
The matter, which local Kannada organizations had pressed the civic body to formalize for over five months, was taken up as the final item on the council’s agenda.
State Directive Guides Council Decision
Before the resolution was placed before the floor, BCC Commissioner Kartik M briefed the house on advice sought from the state’s Urban Development Department.
Citing a government communication dated August 29, the commissioner informed the council that the Karnataka government had instructed the civic body to act in line with a resolution adopted by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on March 23, 1988.
Accompanying records noted that the state assembly had on two separate occasions unanimously resolved to demand the full and immediate implementation of the Mahajan Commission report by the Union government.
Passed Without Floor Debate
Acting upon the commissioner’s briefing, Mayor Preeti Kamkar declared the resolution adopted in accordance with the state government’s instructions. The formal text of the resolution was not read aloud prior to its passage.
The decision triggered immediate pushback from MES members. Opposing the ruling, MES corporator Ravi Salunkhe contended that taking up the matter was inappropriate given that the long-standing Karnataka–Maharashtra border row remains sub judice before the Supreme Court.
Mayor Kamkar dismissed the objection, reiterating that the civic body was strictly following directives issued by the state administration. The meeting was brought to an abrupt close with the singing of the National Anthem immediately following the mayor’s ruling, cutting off further floor debate.
