North Karnataka Seeks Separate Statehood Amid Frustration with Government Inaction

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A long-standing demand for a separate statehood for North Karnataka has gained momentum after a letter from MLA Bharamagouda (Raju) Kage to the Chief Minister and Prime Minister. Kage, who also heads the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, has urged the government to consider combining 11 districts to form a new state. He cites administrative neglect and alleged favoritism as reasons for the demand. In his letter, Kage emphasized that North Karnataka has rich resources and has contributed significantly to the preservation of Kannada and the unification of Karnataka. He also highlighted the region's economic potential, stating that it has the capacity for comprehensive development. The demand for a separate state has been ongoing for nearly a decade, with the Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti collecting over 10 million signatures in support. Kage's push for regional autonomy comes after he criticized the government for inaction, accusing them of failing to address the concerns of farmers affected by floods in North Karnataka. The debate over regional imbalance in Karnataka is not new, with former Minister Umesh Katti also advocating for statehood in the past. Kage, who has been elected to the Assembly nine times, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the state's size and population warrant a division. Comparing Karnataka to other large states in India, Kage noted that Uttar Pradesh has a population of 210 million and Maharashtra has a population of 110 million, yet they are not divided into smaller states. He argued that Karnataka, with a population of 65 million, should be divided into two states. Regional groups, including the Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti and Uttara Karnataka Vikas Vedike, have warned that they will take drastic measures, including hoisting the flag of a separate North Karnataka, if their demands are not addressed during the upcoming winter session in Belagavi.