BELGAUM: Furore prevailed among the Marathi speaking people of Belgaum, as the Union Home Ministry has endorsed Karnataka government’s decision to rename Belgaum as ‘Belgavi.’
While an uneasy calm prevailed among the Marathi speaking people in the district over the change of name, Kannadigas have welcomed the change terming it as a moral victory of Karnataka’s claim that Belgaum is an integral part of the state.
Strongly opposing the change of name which will come in effect from November 1, along with 11 other cities in Karnataka, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) leaders on Monday submitted a memorandum to the state government and Center terming the change as “unconstitutional.”
Karnataka government’s proposal to change names of 11 other cities along with Belgaum was endorsed by the Home Ministry last week.
Accordingly, the names of other cities which will be officially changed are Bangalore (Bengaluru), Mangalore (Mangaluru), Bellary (Ballary), Bijapur (Vijaypura/Vijapura), Chikamagalur (Chikkamagalurru), Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), Mysore (Mysuru), Hospet (Hosapete), Shimoga (Shivamogga), Hubli (Hubballi) and Tumkur (Tumakuru).
The proposal to change names that was forwarded by Karnataka for the approval from the Center was pending since October 27, 2006. However, after the Center’s nod was received on October 17, the names will be changed from November 1, the Rajyotsava (Statehood) day of Karnataka state. Instructions have also been issued for rechristening the post offices and railway stations.
Marathi speaking people of Belgaum, who have been fighting for the merger of Belgaum and other border areas with Maharashtra, have however shown a strong resentment stating that since the border dispute is pending in the Supreme Court with the Center and Karnataka, any such move clearly smacks of violation.
“How could the decision regarding the change of name of Belgaum that has been prevalent since generations be changed before the border dispute is resolved,” Adv Madhav Chavan, who is camping in Delhi to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court, told Herald.
MES leaders and Marathi speaking people whose sentiments are hurt by the Karnataka government’s decision submitted a memorandum to the Center, strongly opposing the order.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced recently that the names of key cities would be changed on November 1, after which Kannadigas in the state commenced their celebrations.
