Karnataka Maharashtra Border: Maharashtra assembly unanimously passes resolution on border row with Karnataka | India News
The move comes days after Karnataka assembly had passed a resolution to protect the southern state’s interests and not to cede an inch of land to its neighbour. The Karnataka resolution had also condemned the border dispute “created” by Maharashtra.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde moved the resolution in both Houses of assembly to condemn Karnataka’s move and accused the neighbouring state of purposely fueling the border row.
“The state government stands resolutely with the Marathi-speaking people in 865 villages and cities of Belgaum (also called Belagavi), Karwar, Nipani, Bidar and Bhalki that are being contested in the Supreme Court,” said the resolution passed in the Maharashtra legislature.
“The state government will legally pursue in the Supreme Court the case to include (in Maharashtra) each and every inch of land in Belgaum, Karwar Bidar, Nipani, Bhalki cities and the 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka,” it added.
The Maharashtra resolution said when the chief ministers of the two states had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it was decided that till the Supreme Court gives its judgment in the matter, it should be ensured that the issue does not flare up any further. However, the Karnataka government took a contrary stand by passing a resolution in its state assembly.
The resolution also mentioned that the central government should give directives to the Karnataka government to guarantee the safety of the Marathi people in the border areas.
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) on Tuesday demanded in the Maharashtra assembly that the 865 villages be declared as a Union Territory till the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue. However, it did not figure in the resolution.
Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the assembly that the case is pending before the Supreme Court and it also has to be ensured that there is no contempt of court while putting forth the demand, as the matter is sub-judice.
Fadnavis targeted Uddhav Thackeray for requesting the Central government to declare “the disputed areas” as a Union Territory and said, “I was surprised that those who spoke yesterday, he did nothing for 2.5 years as CM. The border dispute did not start after our government came to power.”
He further said that the previous government in the state is making the Eknath Shidne government responsible for the border dispute which is going on for years.
The border issue dates back to 1957 after the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines.
The then Maharashtra government had demanded the readjustment of its border with Karnataka.
Following this, a four-member committee was formed by both states.
The Maharashtra government had expressed willingness to transfer 260 predominantly Kannada-speaking villages, but the proposal was turned down by Karnataka.
Both governments later approached the Supreme Court to expedite the matter.
Maharashtra laid claim to Belagavi, which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, as it has a sizable Marathi-speaking population. It also laid claim to more than 800 Marathi-speaking villages which are currently part of Karnataka.
Karnataka maintains the demarcation done on linguistic lines as per the States Reorganisation Act and the 1967 Mahajan Commission Report as final.
(With inputs from agencies)
Watch Border row: Maharashtra assembly passes resolution, CM Shinde assures to take back 5 cities from Karnataka
