Belagavi civic body passes resolution affirming city’s place in Karnataka

The Belagavi City Corporation has adopted a resolution declaring that Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka, following directions from the State government. The resolution was passed without discussion during the corporation’s general council meeting on Wednesday. Members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti objected to the move.

Commissioner Kartik M. told the council that the Urban Development Department had directed the corporation to act in accordance with a Karnataka Legislative Assembly resolution adopted on March 23, 1988. The communication, dated August 29, included records of Assembly proceedings.

Those records stated that the Assembly had unanimously passed resolutions on two occasions seeking full implementation of the Mahajan Commission award and urging the Union government to implement the report without delay, according to the commissioner. Mayor Preeti Kamakar subsequently announced that the civic body had adopted the resolution in line with the State government’s instructions. The text was not read out before the announcement.

MES member Ravi Salunkhe objected, arguing that the corporation should not take up the matter while the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute remained pending before the Supreme Court. The mayor responded that the corporation was acting on the State government’s directions. The meeting ended with the National Anthem immediately after the announcement, leaving no opportunity for members to debate the resolution.

The measure fulfils a long-standing demand of Kannada organisations, The Hindu reported. The source material does not provide the resolution’s full text or details of any further action planned by the corporation.