Belagavi: Belagavi police on Monday thwarted attempts by Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) activists to organise a Marathi Mahamelava as a protest against the ongoing winter session of the Karnataka legislature. Acting swiftly, police detained several activists before they could assemble or begin any demonstration.For years, MES attempted to hold the Mahamelava on the first day of the session, often using the event to criticise the Karnataka govt. While the venue was earlier at the Vaccine Depot in Tilakwadi, the district administration denied permission for the event since last year. Despite a clear refusal again this year, MES leaders publicly declared they would go ahead with the programme.Police, however, maintained strict vigilance on early Monday morning, ensuring key leaders did not leave their homes. Those who attempted to reach the venue were immediately detained. More than 20 leaders, including Malojirao Ashtekar, Shubham Shelke, and Ramakant Konduskar, were taken into custody as they raised slogans such as ‘Merge Belagavi, Nippani, Bidar, Bhalki, Karwar with Maharashtra’.The standoff extended beyond Karnataka. In Kolhapur, Shiv Sena workers protested the denial of permission by stopping a KSRTC bus travelling from Pune to Haliyal and pasting ‘Jai Maharashtra’ stickers on it. Meanwhile, Kannada organisations strongly opposed MES’s attempt to hold the Mahamelava and staged counter-protests. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists who tried to confront MES supporters were restrained by police, and a few, including Suresh Gavannavar, were detained during brief clashes.Following the adverse situation, the plying of buses between Karnataka and Maharashtra has been stopped. “The buses heading towards Kolhapur from Belagavi are returning from Nippani,” said Belagavi divisional controller KL Gudennavar.
