The district administration in Belgaum has issued prohibitory orders, preventing certain politicians from Maharashtra from participating in the Black Day celebrations organized by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti on Rajyotsava Day. Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil has prohibited the entry of Ministers Shambhuraj Desai, Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, Deepak Kesarkar, and MP Dhairyasheela Mane into the district.
The MES, a local political party advocating for the merger of Marathi-speaking regions with Maharashtra, observes Kannada Rajyotsava as Black Day each year. They claimed that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had assured them of sending these leaders to Belgaum. However, Home Minister G. Parameshwara in Bengaluru stated that Black Day celebrations would not be allowed.
Mr. Patil chaired a meeting in Belgaum to oversee preparations for Kannada Rajyotsava, expecting a turnout of over three lakh people in the city. The police have redirected traffic away from the main streets to facilitate the celebrations, as stated by Police Commissioner S.N. Sidramappa.
