Venkatesh Belvi

Dattatraya Venkatesh Belvi (14 January 1866 – 4 April 1962) was an Indian politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Central Legislative Assembly between 1924 and 1931. He was known for his activism during the Home Rule movement in the Belgaum region under the wings of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Early life Belvi was born on 14 January 1866 into a "humble family". He was educated in Sardar's High School, Belgaum and Deccan College, Poona. Upon obtaining a degree in law from Government Law College, Bombay, he commenced practice as a lawyer in Belgaum in 1893, a profession he continued till 1944.

Career As member of the Indian National Congress, Belvi was elected to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1912 and retained the position till 1921 upon being elected a total of three times. During this time, he worked as close associate of Gangadhar Rao Deshpande.

Belvi also held several positions such as member of the bar in the North Karnataka region, hitherto a part of the Bombay Presidency, and as president of the Belgaum municipality.