Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 24: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has instructed the state’s transport department secretary to speak to his counterpart in Maharashtra regarding the recent targeting of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses in the neighbouring state. This comes in response to incidents following an assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi, Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Minister Reddy explained the sequence of events, stating, "In Chitradurga, a Maharashtra bus was painted black by Kannada activists after an incident in which a conductor in Belagavi was attacked for asking passengers to speak in Kannada. In retaliation, four to five of our buses were painted black in Maharashtra."

Minister Reddy went on to stress the importance of addressing the issue promptly. “Our department secretary has been directed to speak to his counterpart in Maharashtra. Thousands of people travel between Karnataka and Maharashtra daily, and such incidents cause hardship to the public. The police will take appropriate action in this matter. I have instructed my secretary to address the issue without delay,” he added.

The controversy began with an altercation between a bus conductor and two passengers. According to the Minister, the passengers did not speak Kannada, and the conductor, who did not know Marathi, questioned one of the passengers about travelling with a free ticket meant for women. At the time of the incident, there were 90 passengers on the bus. "The passenger who was questioned made phone calls and gathered a crowd, after which they assaulted the conductor," Reddy clarified.

Following the attack, a police complaint was filed, and the accused individuals were taken into judicial custody. However, in an unexpected development, a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case was filed against the conductor the following day.

The incident sparked tension in the border district of Belagavi, with Kannada organisations staging protests and blocking the Belagavi-Bagalkot road, demanding action against those responsible for assaulting the conductor. Minister Reddy reiterated the state's stance on language, saying, "Those living in Karnataka should learn Kannada. While people can speak their mother tongue, Marathi, they must also speak Kannada in Karnataka."

He called for a united response to such incidents, stating, “All parties should condemn such acts of violence.”

Given the sensitivity of the issue and the region’s history of language-related tensions, the Karnataka Police have increased security in sensitive areas to prevent further unrest.

The ongoing situation underscores the challenges of maintaining peace in areas with linguistic diversity and highlights the importance of dialogue and understanding between states.