Massive protests erupted by political leaders as leaders started cutting party lines to come heavily of Maharashtra’s chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The protest erupted in many parts of Karnataka including the district headquarters city of Belagavi on Monday. The protestors were condemning Thackeray for his statement on sensitive border issue.
Following the protests the chief minister of Karnataka BS Yediruppa told reporters that, “There is no question of giving even an inch of land from Karnataka to Maharashtra. He should give up issuing statements just for political reasons”.
After talking to the reporters Yediruppa tweeted also in the matter stating, “I am pained at Maharashtra chief ministers remarks that can disturb the prevailing harmonious atmosphere.I expect Shri Uddhav Thackeray, as a true Indian, to show his commitment and respect to the principles of federalism in letter and spirit”.
The statement made by Thackeray for which the massive protests took place was that Thackeray said, Shiv Sena is committed towards taking the parts of Karnataka state where there is a majority of Marathi speaking people.
“This will be the true tribute to martyrs of the cause”, his office (CMO) tweeted.
He claimed that Belagavi and some other parts of Karnataka state are part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency which are currently in Karnataka on linguistic grounds, hence my government is committed towards incorporating them back.
As 17 January is observed as the ‘martyrs day’ in Maharashtra for those who laid down their lives in the incident of 1956. The CMO tweeted further “Bringing Karnataka-occupied Marathi-speaking and cultural areas in Maharashtra will be the true tribute to those who accepted martyrdom in the boundary battle.We are united and committed towards it.Respects to the martyrs with this promise”.
Asserting on linguistic grounds Maharashtra is claiming certain areas, including Belagavi, Karwar and Nippani which are currently parts of Karnataka.
On Monday, pro-Kannada organisations held demonstrations and burnt Thackeray’s effigy in parts of the State.
Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti which is an organisation fighting for the merger of Belagavi and some other border areas with Maharashtra and some Pro Marathi activists observed ‘martyrs day’ on Sunday. They demanded merger of Belagavi, Karwar, Nippani, Bidar and Bhalki with Maharashtra.
Later on Monday Pro Kannada organizations held protests and burnt Udhhav Thackeray’s effigy in Karnataka.
Condemning the statements made by Thackeray the Karnataka chief minister BS Yediruppa said, ‘It disrupts peace and harmony among people’.
With protests Several other leaders also condemned Thackeray like, former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said in a tweet “Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka. Don’t try to instigate us by bringing up the issue which is already resolved.”
Leader of opposition Karnataka legislative assembly Siddaramaiah also cautioned Thackeray for not politicizing the issue as he not just an activist of Shiv Sena but also the chief minister of Maharashtra. decided, Siddaramaiah reminded him that he is not just a Shiv Sena activist but also a responsible chief minister of a state.
