Martyrs day being observed by MES today

10:19 AM Posted by ukmad

The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti(MES) is observing Martyrs day in the memory of all those who were killed in the Agitation involving the border issue.

Ramdas Kadam, leader of opposition of Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha and Shiv Sena MP Bharatkumar Raut were present here today to pay homage to all the martyrs at Hutatma chowk.

A procession will proceed to Maratha Mandir, near over bridge where a Blood donation camp has been organized. A meeting at the Sambhaji Udyan, Shahpur is being organized in the evening.

The meeting planned at Sambhaji Udyan called off after the Govt. denies permission. Ramdas Kadam spoke at Hutatma Chowk.

MES rebel, his supporters face wrath of Marathi people

8:11 AM Posted by ukmad

Source The Hindu
Furore: The police having a tough time easing tensions between Marathi-speaking people and MES leaders at Hindalga on Sunday.
They were not allowed to pay tributes at a memorial in Hindalga

Leader of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi who unsuccessfully contested the Assembly
elections as a rebel candidate and his supporters faced the wrath of Marathi-speaking people at Hindalga near here on Sunday on the occasion of “Hutatma Divas” (martyr’s day).
Marathi-speaking people led by MES have been observing June 1 as martyr’s day since 1986 to pay tributes to eight people who were killed in police firing.

The MES had organised a “satyagraha” on June 1, 1986 to oppose the State Government’s decision to make Kannada a compulsory language in schools. Marathi-speaking people had joined the agitation in large numbers and resorted to violence. Eight people were killed in police firing in Hindalga, Belgundi and Uchagaon villages and Old Belgaum city areas.Later, a memorial was built at Hindalga where MES leaders and Marathi-speaking people pay homage to them every year.

Trouble broke out on Sunday when B.I. Patil, former MES MLA and Belgaum taluk unit president, Ramesh Gangaram Pawale, who contested as MES rebel candidate from Belgaum North, Suresh Dhokre, Ninguji Huddar and Manoj Pause arrived at Hindalga to pay tributes at the memorial. Residents of the village shouted slogans against them and termed them as “gaddars” (traitors).The MES was drubbed in the elections, which is being seen as an “historic defeat” in its electoral war against Karnataka Government and Kannadigas.
The residents said, “The ‘gaddars’ have no right to touch the portraits of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of unity of Marathi-speaking people.”
They prevented the MES leaders from offering tributes at the portraits, and this led to a verbal altercation.
Later, the police arrived at the scene and took control of the situation. However, Mr. Patil and the four others had to return without paying tributes to the martyrs.

MES calls for 'hartal' today

11:04 AM Posted by ukmad

Taken from The Hindu:
The Belgaum city unit of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi has called for "hartal" and appealed people to observe a bandh on Thursday as a "tribute to the Marathi-speaking workers who sacrificed their lives while fighting for justice in the boundary dispute" between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The MES has been observing January 17 as "Martyr's Day" since 51 years.

President of the city unit of the MES Narayanrao Tarale and working president Deepak Dalvi on Wednesday appealed to the people to respond positively to the "hartal" call.

Tributes would be paid to martyrs at Hutatma Chowk in the city, they said.

A public meeting would be held in the evening at Samyukt Maharashtra Chowk, they added.

The Hartal call has not received a great deal of response from the local pbulic. May be in the evening Khade Bazar and Ramdev Galli corner will be closed due to the meeting there.