Maharashtra mute spectator to repressive tactics of Karnataka in border areas: MES

The Mahayuti government has let down Marathi-speaking people residing in disputed areas on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) said on Wednesday.

“There won’t be a political resolution to the issue. We expect the Supreme Court to give us justice. What the Governor has said about Maharashtra government’s commitment to resolving the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue is mere lip service. The Maharashtra government has wilfully ignored the interests of the Marathi-speaking population in the border areas,” MES leader Vijay Devane told The Hindu.

Mr. Devane alleged that the Maharashtra government is a mute spectator to the Karnataka government’s “repressive tactics” against Marathi speakers in the border areas, citing instances like Marathi boards being torn down and cases being registered for not speaking in Kannada in government offices. “Our requests and applications do not get processed if we do not speak in Kannada. During the Assembly session in Belagavi, we are denied permission to hold rallies,” he said.