Belagavi, October 26, 2025 – In a renewed push for regional equity, activists and Kannada organizations in North Karnataka have intensified demands for an exclusive Secretariat to spearhead development in the historically underserved Kittur Karnataka region. The call, echoed during a series of meetings and memorandum submissions, aims to decentralize governance and address long-standing disparities in infrastructure, education, and employment.
Leading the charge is Ashok Poojary (also referred to as Ashok Pujari), President of the Uttara Karnataka Vikas Vedike and a prominent Congress leader, who submitted a detailed memorandum to the state government. Speaking at a gathering in Belagavi, Poojary emphasized the need for a dedicated Ministry for North-west Karnataka to coordinate departmental efforts, drawing parallels to the existing Secretariat for Kalyan Karnataka. "North Karnataka remains backward despite numerous Central and State schemes; what we need is unified oversight to ensure funds reach the ground and foster real progress," Poojary stated.
The activists propose establishing the Secretariat at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) in Belagavi, urging the state to declare the city as Karnataka's second capital. This would involve posting senior officials, including Secretaries and Directors, in the region to alleviate Bengaluru's administrative overload. Additional demands include splitting the expansive Belagavi district into smaller administrative units for efficient governance and prioritizing legislative discussions on critical issues like border-area education quality, Kannada language implementation in offices, healthcare access, and job creation.
Ashok Chandaragi, convenor of the central committee of Kannada organizations, highlighted the urgency during the upcoming Winter Session of the State Legislature, set to convene on December 8, 2025, at Suvarna Soudha. "This session must feature meaningful debates on North Karnataka's challenges, not just routine proceedings," Chandaragi urged, calling for resolutions to formalize the Secretariat.
Kannada activist Mehboob Makandar echoed these sentiments, advocating for a shift in focus from infrastructure alone to holistic livelihood improvements. "Education, health, and employment should top the agenda—without them, development is incomplete," he said.
The movement builds on decades of advocacy, with similar calls gaining traction as early as September 2025 through letter campaigns targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and representatives from the region's seven districts. Bhimappa Gadad of the Uttar Karnataka Horata Samiti joined the effort, warning that persistent neglect could reignite demands for separate statehood—a sentiment previously voiced by veteran activist Advocate BD Hiremath in late September.
While the state government has not issued an official response, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti announced the session details and expressed commitment to boosting participation from North Karnataka legislators. "We aim to ensure all regions' voices are heard in development discussions," Horatti noted, hinting at potential deliberations on decentralization.
Proponents argue that the Secretariat would not only secure special financial grants but also promote balanced growth across Karnataka, reducing the north-south divide. As the Jana Samparka Abhiyan— a public outreach initiative—continues through October, activists plan to meet elected representatives to garner support, with plans for larger protests if demands remain unaddressed.
This development comes amid broader calls for administrative reforms in the state, including recent protocols for dignitary invitations and protests over quotas and labor policies. For North Karnataka's 1.5 crore residents, the Secretariat represents more than bureaucracy—it's a step toward inclusive prosperity.
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