Belgaum : Strong resentment has erupted among Marathi-speaking residents of Savagaon village following attempts to start Kannada medium classes in the Government Marathi Higher Primary School of the village. In this regard, the School Development Committee and villagers submitted a memorandum to the education authorities expressing their opposition.
The Marathi school in Savagaon was established in 1948 and has been an important educational institution for several generations of Marathi-speaking families in the village. Villagers stated that the school holds historical and emotional significance for the Marathi community. However, this year, Kannada medium classes were introduced in the same school premises, leading to strong opposition from local residents.
The villagers had initially decided to gather in large numbers and submit a memorandum to the District Education Officer. However, sensing the possibility of tensions escalating over the issue, the Block Education Officer (BEO) of Rural Belgaum visited the Savagaon school directly and held discussions with the villagers.
During the meeting, the villagers highlighted several issues regarding the existing school infrastructure. They pointed out that the school already has a high student strength, while many classrooms are in poor condition and suffer from roof leakages during rains. In such circumstances, they argued that running two language-medium schools in the same building would adversely affect Marathi medium students.
The BEO officials requested the villagers to allow one month’s time, assuring them that an alternative arrangement would be made for the Kannada medium school. However, the School Development Committee and villagers firmly opposed the continuation of Kannada classes in the Marathi school premises.
The villagers suggested that the old unused school building in the village should be cleaned and brought back into use. They further proposed that until the old building is repaired, Kannada medium classes could be temporarily conducted in rented premises elsewhere in the village. The villagers even expressed willingness to bear the rent expenses themselves, but insisted that Kannada classes should not be conducted within the Marathi medium school building.
Taking note of the sentiments of the villagers, the BEO officials reportedly agreed to search for an alternative location and shift the Kannada medium classes there. Though the immediate tension has eased, the Marathi-speaking residents have made it clear that they remain firm on protecting the identity of their Marathi school.
Present on the occasion were School Development Committee President Sagar Sagavkar, Belgaum Area Education Officer Dannama Jalki, Education Coordinator (ECO) Badiger, Cluster Head Satish Patil, Headmaster L.S. Chandilkar, Yuva Samiti Seemabhag President Shubham Shelke, Taluka Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti Working President R.M. Chougule, Yuva Samiti Seemabhag Working President Dhananjay Patil, General Secretary Manohar Hundare, Motes Bardeskar, Anil Hegde, Shrikant Kadam, Sachin Kelwekar, Basavant Ghategasti, Ningappa More, Parashram Akanoji, Yallappa Patil, Darshan Ghategasti, Pradeep More, Yogesh Akanoji, Mahesh Kadam, Nikita Patil, Rekha Ghategasti, Anita Basarikatti, Sujata Kakatkar and several villagers.
