Language Dispute Turns Violent in Belagavi: Bus Staff Attacked for Not Speaking Marathi
Language Dispute Turns Violent in Belagavi: Bus Staff Attacked for Not Speaking Marathi
In Belagavi, Karnataka, a language dispute turned violent when youths assaulted a bus conductor and driver from NWKRTC for not speaking Marathi. The incident occurred on a CBT-Sulebhavi bus when two passengers threatened the conductor for not using Marathi. They later brought more people who attacked the conductor and driver at Balekundri.
A bus conductor and driver employed by the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) were brutally assaulted by a group of commuters in Karnataka's Belagavi district following a heated dispute over language during the ticketing process.
— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) February 22, 2025
The unfortunate incident… pic.twitter.com/kAbAJRu6gp
Three adults—Maruti Turumuri, Rahul Naidu, and Balu Gojagekar—and a minor were arrested. The conductor was hospitalized with internal injuries. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohan Jagadish visited him at BIMS Hospital and promised a thorough investigation.
This incident has revived tensions between Marathi and Kannada speakers in border areas like Belagavi. Karnataka’s CM Siddaramaiah has stressed the importance of Kannada, urging its use while allowing others to live there without learning it. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further unrest.
