New dispute erupts between Karnataka and Maharashtra over border districts | Photo credit: ANI
Mumbai / Bangalore: A new dispute has broken out over the border districts between the neighboring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The controversy began following comments made by Maharashtra’s Chief Deputy Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday marking the eighth anniversary of the death of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Pawar had said that Bal Thackeray had dreamed of the comprehensive growth of Maharashtra and the incorporation of Belgaum (Belagavi), Karwar and Nipani. It should be noted that Belagavi, Karwar and Nipani in Karnataka are home to a significant Marathi-speaking population.
“Let us resolve to fulfill Balasaheb’s dream,” Pawar said in his message yesterday.
Pawar’s office issued a statement today, saying: “The late Balasaheb had fought all his life for the rights of the common man. He always dreamed of the overall development of Maharashtra and (to) make a united Maharashtra that included Belgaum, Karwar and Nipani. So let’s decide to fulfill this dream ”.
The Maharashtra deputy CM’s statements received a stern response from Karnataka’s chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, who asked him not to “incite the fire.”
“The Mahajan Commission Report is a final report. Marathi speakers are like Kannadigas, they also belong to us. The Maratha Development Authority has been formed for its development. (Pawar’s) statement is only to spark unwanted controversy. I urge you not to make such statements, ”the Karnataka CM said today.
Yediyurappa, who called Pawar’s comments an attempt to “incite fire,” told reporters that he condemns the statement.
“During the Belagavi Vishva Kannada Sammelana (World Kannada Gathering held in 2011), they (the Marathi people) had participated in a big way. When such is the situation, Ajit Pawar has tried to incite the fire, it is reprehensible. I condemn it. They have to stop making such statements in the future, “Yediyurappa added.
Both Maharashtra and Karnataka have disagreed for decades on border issues.
According to Maharashtra’s claim, Belagavi, a border district, used to be part of the former Bombay presidency, but became part of Karnataka for linguistic reasons.
Karnataka, for its part, has continued to assert that Belagavi is an integral part of the state. To that end, Karnataka has even built the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, along the lines of the Vidhana Soudha, the building of the State Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru. The Assembly meets for a session once a year at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Meanwhile, in a related event, members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike today held a protest in Bengaluru over the state government’s decision to form the Maratha Development Authority. The protesters were later detained by the police.
