A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor was brutally attacked by a group of Marathi -speaking persons in Belagavi on Friday, when he failed to speak passengers in his language. The incident in Balakundri has expressed displeasure and exposed linguistic tension in the border district of Belgavi.
The victim, Mahadev Hukeri, was boarding a semi-urban CBT-Sullabhvi bus, when the change began. According to Hukkeri, a female passenger, with a man, requested two free tickets in Marathi. Under Karnataka’s Shakti Yojana, bus ride is free for women, but not for men, according to a report on ANI. Hukkeri issued a free ticket to the woman and questioned the need for another ticket, as the male was not eligible for profit.
When the woman pointed the man as the desired recipient of the second ticket, Hukkeri said that men are not entitled to free travel. When the passengers insisted that the situation increased when he spoke Hukri in Marathi. The conductor, who does not understand Marathi, requested that he should communicate in Kannada, the official language of Karnataka.
#Watch Karnataka: A KSRTC bus conductor allegedly beaten for not speaking in Belagavi in Marathi
KSRTC conductor Mahadev Hukeri says, “… a woman and a man were sitting in the bus, most of the passengers in the bus were women, I was distributing tickets, I … pic.twitter.com/yb2pamvkim
– Annie (@ani) 22 February, 2025
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The exchange made a hot argument, during which 6-7 passengers in the bus allegedly attacked Hukri. After the bus closure, a large group of about 50 people gathered and joined the attack, leaving the conductor with internal injuries. Hukkeri was rushed to the Belgawi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Karnataka Rakshan Vedic district president Raju Nasheepudi, Belagavi told Annie, “The incident in Belgavi, the conductor was doing his duty. Then, a female student forced him to speak in Marathi and when the conductor said that he did not say that he did not Knowing that he did not know Marathi, who was with the girl, attacked her. We would protest outside the police station where the case has been registered … “
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohan Jagdish visited the hospital to investigate the condition of Hukkeri and assured that strict action would be taken against the criminals. The Marihal police have arrested three persons- Maruti Turumuri, Rahul Naidu, and Balu Gojjkar- and caught a minor in connection with the attack.
