Belgaum: A meeting of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Yuva Samiti was held at the Yuva Samiti office in Kawale Complex, Tilakwadi, under the chairmanship of President Ankush Kesarkar. At the beginning of the meeting, tributes were paid to Central Committee President Deepak Dalvi, senior leader Arjun Goral, and other committee workers.
Speaking on the occasion, President Ankush Kesarkar recalled the Kannada imposition agitation of 1986. He stated that after the Karnataka government accepted the Dr. Gokak Report, Kannada language enforcement was initiated across the state. In protest against this, the committee had announced a Satyagraha movement.
On June 1, 1986, veteran leader Sharad Pawar reached Kittur Rani Channamma Chowk and participated in the Satyagraha through strategic planning. Despite restrictions on Maharashtra leaders entering Belgaum, the movement gained momentum, leading to Pawar’s arrest by the administration. The news spread rapidly across the border region, resulting in widespread protests and a complete shutdown in Belgaum. As the situation intensified, police opened fire on the protesters. Nine innocent Marathi-speaking people lost their lives in the firing, while several activists were arrested and lodged in different prisons.
Kesarkar said that everyone must remain committed to resolving the border issue while remembering the sacrifices of the martyrs. He appealed to all Marathi-speaking people to gather in large numbers at the Martyrs Memorial in Hindalga on Monday, June 1, at 8:30 am to pay tribute to the martyrs.
The meeting also decided to continue various educational initiatives. As in previous years, educational materials will be distributed to students studying in their mother tongue as encouragement. This year marks the ninth year of the initiative, and educational kits will be distributed to 300 schools.
It was also decided that the Yuva Samiti would felicitate meritorious students from Marathi-medium schools who secure first, second, and third ranks in the 10th standard examinations from Belgaum city, Belgaum taluka, and Khanapur division during a program scheduled in July.
General Secretary Shrikant Kadam delivered the introductory speech. Suraj Kuduchkar, Kiran Huddar, Santosh Krishnache, Akshay Bambarkar, Suraj Chavan, Mahantesh Alagondi, Ashwajit Choudhari, Rohan Kundekar, Anand Patil, Akash Bhekne, Ashish Kocheri, Prakash Hebbaji and others were present. Secretary Pratik Patil proposed the vote of thanks.
