Karnataka: Belagavi man arrested for 'abusing' Panchayat officer for not speaking Marathi

The accused, allegedly insisted that Panchayat Development Officer provide official documents in Marathi instead of Kannada.

Published on: Mar 13, 2025, 08:07:48 IST

By HT News Desk

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A man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly harassing the Panchayat Development Officer of Kinaye Gram Panchayat in Belagavi district over a language dispute, police said.

The accused has been booked for obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duties. (Pexels)

According to news agency PTI, the accused, identified as Tippanna Subhash Dokre, reportedly visited the Gram Panchayat office on Tuesday regarding a property-related matter.

During his visit, he allegedly insisted that Panchayat Development Officer Nagendra Pattar provide official documents in Marathi instead of Kannada.

According to police, the situation escalated into a heated argument, with Dokre verbally abusing the officer. A video of the altercation surfaced online and quickly went viral, prompting officials from Belagavi Rural Police Station to take him into custody, the report added.

Belagavi DCP (Law & Order) Rohan Jagadeesh confirmed the arrest, stating, “The video circulating on social media led to swift action. The accused has been secured, and an investigation is ongoing. Public misconduct against government officials will not be tolerated, and strict action will be taken.”

Dokre has been booked for obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duties, police said.

(Also Read: Bengaluru Court reserves judgment on Kannada actress Ranya Rao's bail plea)

Bus conductor assault

This comes after, a state-run bus conductor was allegedly assaulted by a group of Marathi-speaking youth for not conversing in the language, while on duty. The incident occurred last week, when the bus was plying from Belagavi city to Balekundri. Following this, inter-state bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka were suspended, in a way escalating the decades-old border and language dispute between the two states.

The border issue dates back to 1957 when states were reorganised on linguistic lines. Maharashtra laid claim to Belagavi, which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, as it has a sizable Marathi-speaking population, and over 800 Marathi-speaking border villages that are currently a part of Karnataka. Karnataka maintained that the demarcation done on linguistic lines as per the States Re-organisation Act and the 1967 Mahajan Commission Report is final.

(With agency inputs)

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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