𝓡Bus services between Karnataka and Maharashtra have come to a standstill after tensions flared up when a bus conductor was beaten up in Belagavi for allegedly not responding in Marathi.
This latest row between Maharashtra and Karnataka🐲 has brought to front the long standing border issue between the states. What is the border issue between the two states?
Historical Context
ꦐThe border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka has been a long-standing and contentious issue, primarily revolving around the regions of Belagavi (also known as Belgaum), Karwar, and other areas in the southern part of Maharashtra. The core of the conflict lies in the question of which state has the rightful claim over these territories, given their historical, linguistic, and administrative significance.
🌱The origins of the dispute date back to the reorganization of Indian states in 1956, when the States Reorganization Act was passed to create new states based on linguistic lines. The region in question had a mixed population of Marathi and Kannada speakers. Belagavi, located in what is today Karnataka, had a significant Marathi-speaking population, but was included in Karnataka after the state’s formation. Maharashtra, which was created as a state for Marathi speakers, laid claim to Belagavi and the surrounding areas, arguing that these regions should have been part of Maharashtra due to their linguistic and cultural ties.
🤪The dispute gained momentum when the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a political and social organization advocating for the merger of the disputed areas with Maharashtra, began pushing for the inclusion of these areas into Maharashtra. They argued that the people in these areas identified more with Marathi culture and language than with Kannada.
💮On the other hand, Karnataka has strongly opposed this claim, asserting that the territories are an integral part of the state, citing the legal and administrative decisions made post-independence. In response, Karnataka has fortified its position through both political and legal channels, emphasizing the state's historical claims over these regions.
Belagavi, The Center Point Of The Conflict
♚One of the key flashpoints has been the city of Belagavi, which serves as a regional administrative hub for both Maharashtra and Karnataka, and is home to a significant Marathi-speaking population. The dispute escalates during elections and political events, where regional sentiments are often inflamed.
🌊The controversy has led to periodic violence, protests, and disruptions in the region, especially among Marathi and Kannada-speaking communities.
What's The Status Now?
ꦏWhile the Supreme Court of India has intervened on occasion, the issue remains unresolved, with both states continuing to assert their claims. Negotiations and discussions between the two states have taken place over the years, but a final resolution has yet to be achieved.
ﷺThe ongoing border dispute remains a source of political tension and local unrest, impacting the people living in the disputed areas.
