Two Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti leaders arrested in Belagavi
Two leaders of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) were arrested in Belagavi, Karnataka, for alleged inflammatory remarks made against SC/ST communities in 2025. The leaders claim the arrest is politically motivated to suppress their upcoming protests.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights ongoing ethnic and political tensions between Marathi-speaking groups and the Karnataka state government.
Two Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti leaders arrested in Belagavi left Shubham Shelke, MES youth wing leader, at the police headquarters in Belagavi, Karnataka on October 22, 2026. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The Hindu https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/thxxkh/article71614749.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/9727_23_10_2026_10_20_15_1_24BGMSHUBHAMSHELKE1.JPG SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Karnataka belagavi 23 10 2026. Shubham Shelke, MES youth wing leader, at the police head quarters in Belagavi on Thursday Officers from the Khadebazar police station took them into custody in connection with a case filed in January 2025 Belagavi Police arrested two Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) youth wing leaders Shubham Shelke and Manohar Hundri charging them with offences under provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act, in Belagavi on October 22. Officers from the Khadebazar police station took them into custody in connection with a case filed in January 2025.
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