Belagavi (Karnataka): The bus driver and conductor of the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) were allegedly assaulted by a group of youths following a dispute over language in Belagavi.

According to the officials, the incident happened on Friday at around 12:30 pm near Sulebhavi.

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A boy and girl who had boarded the semi-urban CBT-Sulebhavi bus had allegedly threatened the conductor, Mahadev Hukkeri as he was not able to speak in Marathi, and following this, called their accomplices who assaulted them at Balekundri.

This led to an escalation of tensions, leading to an attack on the conductor, who sustained internal injuries.

Speaking to the media, Hukkeri said, “A woman and a man were sitting in the bus, majority of the passengers in the bus were women, I was distributing tickets, in Karnataka, bus ride is free for women. The woman sitting with the man asked for two free tickets, I gave her one and asked, for whom do you want the second ticket, she pointed towards the man. But, I told them that in Karnataka, bus ride is not free for men. Then they told me to speak in Marathi but I don't know Marathi and asked them to speak to me in Kannada. 6-7 people on the bus attacked me. Once the bus was stopped, there were around 50 people there and they also beat me up.”

The Marihal Police have arrested three individuals and apprehended one minor, in connection with the assault. The arrested individuals are Maruti Turumuri, Rahul Naidu, and Balu Gojagekar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohan Jagadhish visited the BIMS Hospital in Belagavi and enquired about the health of the conductor.

Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang said, "A complaint was registered yesterday at the Marihal police station - KSRTC bus conductor alleged that he was assaulted by 4-5 people following an argument over language differences... Police have taken all four accused into custody and are conducting further inquiries... A woman has also filed a complaint stating that she had an argument with the bus conductor, who allegedly made indecent remarks and threatened her through body expressions... Protests are taking place at the police station due to the emotional nature of the issue... The police are handling the situation neutrally and lawfully, and protest groups are cooperating with law enforcement..."

The conductor stated that he was assaulted for not knowing Marathi. There are allegations that when the conductor went to file a police complaint, he was advised to compromise.

DCP Rohan Jagadish assured that the matter would be investigated and appropriate action would be taken.

The three accused were presented before the court on Friday. The court ordered 14 days of judicial custody for the accused.

Last year, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that it is the responsibility of every Kannadiga to protect the Kannada language, land and water and urged everyone in the state to learn the language.

The Chief Minister said speaking the mother tongue should be a matter of pride.

"Everyone must decide to speak in Kannada with those who live in Karnataka. A vow must be taken that no language other than Kannada is spoken. Kannadigas are generous. That is why there is an environment in Karnataka where even those who speak other languages can live without learning Kannada. The same situation cannot be seen in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, or Kerala states. They speak only in their mother tongue. We also have to speak in our mother tongue. That should make us proud," Siddaramaiah said.

ANI