NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra Priyanka Chaturvedi has written to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the central government to consider granting Union Territory status to Belgaum. The plea comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions over the decades-long border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
In her letter, Chaturvedi highlighted the resurgence of tensions as the Karnataka Assembly commenced its winter session. According to her, the detention of activists and leaders from the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a pro-Maharashtra group advocating for Marathi-speaking regions, has fueled unrest in Belgaum. This followed the Karnataka government’s measures to prevent MES’s “Maha Melava” rally, initially permitted as a peaceful protest.
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The border dispute centers on Belgaum and surrounding villages, with both states staking claims based on linguistic and cultural grounds. The matter has been pending before the Supreme Court since 2022, following the central government’s directive for both states to maintain the status quo. However, political resolutions in state assemblies have further deepened the divide. While the Karnataka Assembly passed a resolution affirming the region’s allegiance to Karnataka, the Maharashtra Assembly responded with a counter-resolution advocating for the inclusion of Marathi-speaking areas into its territory.
Chaturvedi emphasized that the deadlock has created an urgent need for a neutral solution to avoid further unrest. She argued that granting Union Territory status to Belgaum would ensure central governance and justice for residents, accommodating all linguistic communities.
“The Supreme Court’s hearings on this matter remain pending, with repeated requests from the MES to expedite the process. This lack of consensus between the two State governments risks potential unrest,” she stated in the letter.
The demand for Union Territory status is not new but has gained momentum in recent years as the dispute remains unresolved. Observers note that such a move would strip both states of their claims over the region, potentially serving as a temporary resolution. However, it could also face resistance from regional political parties in both states.
As tensions simmer, all eyes are on the central government and the Supreme Court to decide the fate of Belgaum, which continues to remain a flashpoint in inter-state relations.