In a move that has drawn criticism from community leaders, two members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) youth wing were taken into custody by the Khadebazar police station in Belagavi on 22 October 2026. The arrests were made in connection with a case filed in January 2025, alleging that the men had used abusive language against certain SC/ST communities during an MES rally.
Shubham Shelke, the youth wing’s chief, and Manohar Hundri were produced before a court that remanded them to judicial custody until 4 November. They were subsequently transferred to Hindalga Central Prison. The court’s decision follows the complaint lodged by Raju Talwar, a leader of the Walmiki Yuvaka Sangha, who claimed the two men had insulted SC/ST groups during the rally.
Police officials said the arrests came after the accused failed to appear before authorities despite receiving notices. Shelke, however, disputed the legality of the detention, stating that the police had not issued any prior notice. He also suggested that the arrest was politically motivated, arguing that MES leaders were being targeted for their advocacy of Marathi‑speaking community rights. Shelke further warned that the arrest was intended to disrupt the MES’s planned “Black Day” observance on 1 November, coinciding with Karnataka Rajyotsava.
The incident underscores the heightened tensions between the MES and local authorities in Karnataka, where the organisation has been active in campaigning for the rights of Marathi speakers. The case remains under judicial scrutiny, with the court set to review the charges and the grounds for continued custody.
