MES plans agitations over Kannada signboards

Belagavi: The central committee of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has decided to intensify its agitation against the imposition of mandatory Kannada signboards in Belagavi and the border region. It has announced a march to the deputy commissioner's office on June 22 and a dharna outside the residence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbaion June 29.The decisions were taken at a meeting of the MES Central Committee held at Maratha Mandir in Belagavi on Saturday evening. Addressing the meeting, Central Committee chairman Prakash Margale expressed concern over the growing pressure to install Kannada signboards in recentmonths and said it should be stopped. He said the proposed march and subsequent protest were aimed at drawing the attention of both the Karnataka and Maharashtra govts to the concerns of Marathi-speaking residents in the region.Margale stated that before the June 22 march, a delegation would meet the deputy commissioner and submit a memorandum demanding the installation of bilingual Kannada-Marathi signboards at govt offices, hospitals and other public institutions. He appealed to Marathi-speaking residents to participate in large numbers in the march. The committee will also formally inform CM Fadnavis about the proposed Mumbai protest through a letter. Former MLA Manohar Kinekar said all constituent units of the MES would work to ensure the success of the planned agitations. Khanapur Taluk Committee general secretary Abasaheb Dalvi, Ranjit Patil and several other office-bearers also shared their views during the meeting.