NWKRTC Conductor Assaulted for Speaking Kannada in Belagavi
A 51-year-old NWKRTC conductor was assaulted for speaking Kannada in Karnataka’s Belagavi. Police have arrested three persons and investigation is underway.
An NWKRTC conductor was assaulted by a group of youths in Belagavi after a disagreement over language. The assault occurred near Sulebhavi at approximately 12:30 PM, when the conductor was unable to respond in Marathi to passengers on the CBT-Sulebhavi bus.
The confrontation began when a young woman and her male companion boarded the bus and demanded the conductor speak in Marathi.
When he explained that he didn’t understand the language and asked them to communicate in Kannada, tensions escalated.
The couple reportedly called in reinforcements, and a group of men subsequently attacked the conductor at Balekundri.
The conductor, identified as 51-year-old Mahadevappa Mallappa Hukkeri, sustained internal injuries from the assault. He was rushed to the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) for treatment.
Three Assaulters Arrested
The Marihal Police have since arrested three individuals—Maruti Turumuri, Rahul Naidu, and Balu Gojgekar—who are believed to be responsible for the attack. A minor was also taken into custody, with the police continuing their investigation.
The three accused were presented in court and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. As the investigation continues, more arrests may follow, with a manhunt underway for others believed to be involved in the assault.
In response to the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohan Jagadhish visited the injured conductor at the hospital and assured that justice would be served.
The conductor claimed he was assaulted solely because he couldn’t speak Marathi and expressed concerns that he had been urged to settle the matter through a compromise when attempting to file a complaint.
The Bigger Picture – Language Dispute
This incident highlights the ongoing tension surrounding language disputes in the border region between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has long emphasized the importance of promoting Kannada in the state.
He has urged every Kannadiga to embrace their mother tongue as a point of pride, citing the strong cultural identity tied to the language.
The incident has sparked anger among pro-Kannada groups, calling for stronger action to protect the Kannada language and those who advocate for its use.
As the matter progresses, it remains clear that the assault on the NWKRTC conductor over a language barrier has reignited longstanding tensions, leading to demands for justice and a larger conversation about linguistic and cultural identity in the region.