Belagavi Mayor Sanjot Bandekar participated in the Black Day observed by her party, Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), in protest against the non-inclusion of Belagavi in Maharashtra to coincide with Rajyotsava Day on Wednesday, inviting criticism from pro-Kannada groups. She wore a black sari and sported a black ribbon across her mouth while she walked with the rallyists. Kannada organisations said that 19 other members of the city corporation council were with her.
Ashok Chandargi, convenor of federation of Kannada organisations, said that this was an anti-Karnataka and had to be condemned. He urged the government to take action against the leader. He also said that the MES should protest in New Delhi if it is angry with the Union government for its failure to properly implement linguistic division of States.
District in-charge Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, when pressed for reaction, said that the government would study the situation before a decision on taking action against her or the city corporation.
“Everybody knows that MES does it for political gains. This is especially true in an election year. We will study the pros and cons and study the relevant laws, then take some action if it is proved that her action was anti-State,” he said. He was speaking after the Rajyotsava celebrations at the CPEd College Grounds.
Every year , MES organises Black Day on Rajyotsava Day in protest against the non-inclusion of Belagavi in Maharashtra. A few years ago, the State government superseded the city corporation, after the then Mayor participated in the Black Day observation.
Meanwhile, Ritesh Rane, MLA from Kankavali in Maharashtra, joined the procession and addressed the protesters. Leaders Deepak Dalvi, Manohar Kinekar, Kiran Thakur and others were present.