The complaint pertains to the unveiling of a statue of Sambhaji Maharaj, the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire, at the Angol intersection in Belagavi on January 5, 2024. | Photo Credit: Badiger P.K.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members have filed a police complaint against MLA Abhay Patil, accusing the BJP leader of insulting Karnataka, in Belagavi on January 8.

In his complaint registered at the Tilakwadi police station, KRV coordinator Deepak Gudaganatti said Mr Patil had invited Shivendra Raje Bhosale, Public Works Minister of Maharashtra, for the unveiling of the Sambhaji Maharaj statue in Angol in Belagavi.

State protocol was not followed, and ministers of Karnataka and local leaders were not invited for the event though funds from government of Karnataka were used for building the podium and installing the statue. The crowd and guests invited for the event, including Mr Bhosle and others, raised pro-Maharashtra slogans during the event. They insulted the government of Karnataka and its culture, the complainant alleged.

“The frequent visits of Maharashtra leaders keeps adding to the linguistic division and furthering the hatred based on language. Mr Patil is responsible for disturbing the peace, and law and order in the city,” the complaint said.

Mr Gudaganatti and others met Deputy Commissioner of police Rohan Jagadeesh and submitted a memorandum seeking action against the MLA.