The Karnataka state government has instructed the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) to adopt a resolution supporting the Mahajan Commission’s recommendation that Belagavi belongs to Karnataka, Kannada organisations said in Belagavi on Tuesday.
Ashok Chandaragi, convener of the central committee for Kannada organisations, told reporters that the group had complained to the state about the BCC’s delay in passing the resolution. He said the corporation referred the matter to the state, which then issued clear directions, reprimanded the BCC Commissioner for sending references, and ordered that no similar references be sent in the future. Chandaragi held Mayor Preeti Kamkar and Deputy Mayor Hanumant Kongali responsible and demanded action against the elected officials.
Chandaragi added that the campaign began four months ago, with the first demand raised in March, but municipal council meetings in March and April did not discuss the issue. He noted that Mayor Kamkar had previously passed a resolution seeking the state’s guidance, citing the matter’s presence before the Supreme Court. The state has now considered the demand and provided a copy of a 1988 legislative resolution moved by legislator H.K. Patil during former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde’s tenure.
The 1988 resolution declared it imperative to implement the Mahajan Commission report in full to resolve the Karnataka‑Maharashtra border dispute. Chandaragi reiterated that the BCC should pass the same resolution and called on the Centre to implement the commission’s recommendations. Kannada activists Mahadev Talawar, Balaram Masenatti and others were present.
