Watch Video: Karnataka Bus Staff Attacked Over Language Dispute, Forced to Speak Marathi
Watch Video: Karnataka Bus Staff Attacked Over Language Dispute, Forced to Speak Marathi
Belagavi, February 22, 2025: A language dispute in Karnataka’s Belagavi district turned violent when a bus conductor and driver of the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) were assaulted by a group of youths for not speaking in Marathi.
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
Incident Unfolds Over Language Dispute
The altercation began on Friday around 12:30 PM when a boy and a girl boarded a CBT-Sulebhavi semi-urban bus and allegedly threatened the conductor for not conversing in Marathi. Moments later, they called their accomplices, who intercepted the bus at Balekundri and physically assaulted both the conductor and driver.
Police Arrest Four, Assures Action
- The conductor sustained internal injuries, intensifying local tensions.
- Marihal Police swiftly arrested three individuals—Maruti Turumuri, Rahul Naidu, and Balu Gojagekar—while also detaining a minor involved in the attack.
- The accused were presented in court on Friday and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Authorities Respond as Tensions Rise
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohan Jagadish visited the injured conductor at BIMS Hospital and assured a thorough investigation into the matter.
Lingering Language Tensions in Karnataka
The attack has reignited discussions on linguistic friction in border areas like Belagavi, where Marathi and Kannada speakers have historically clashed over language rights.
In the past, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah emphasized the need to preserve the Kannada language, urging residents to prioritize its usage. He remarked:
“Kannadigas are generous. That is why people who speak other languages can live here without learning Kannada. But we must take pride in speaking our mother tongue.”
With tensions escalating, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further unrest.
