Belagavi, 1 November

The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Sunday observed ‘Black Day’ in Belagavi as an alternative to the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations, despite the district administration denying permission for the event, official sources said.

The MES members took out a rally from Sambhaji Garden to Maratha Mandir Kalyana Mantapa here, raising slogans demanding the merger of Belagavi, Khanapur, Bidar, Bhalki, Karwar and Nipani with Maharashtra.

The MES believes that parts of Belagavi should be part of Maharashtra, amid an ongoing border dispute. It holds the black day every year. 

Meanwhile, police detained Kannada activists who allegedly attempted to enter the rally area.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru that Kannadigas and Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka must respect this land and its laws, stressing that the law applies equally to all.