Karnataka-Maharashtra bus service suspended: A bus conductor from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was beaten by some people allegedly not speaking Marathi. The incident has come to light from the city of Belagavi in Karnataka. The region is located near the Maharashtra border. This entire incident has taken the form of inter-state dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Bus services between the two states have been suspended. After all, what is there in Belagavi that always becomes the center of dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka?
According to the information received, bus conductor Mahadev Hawakari was beaten up on Friday (21 February) in a dispute over free tickets in Belagavi, Karnataka. Free bus travel facilities are provided to women in Karnataka. However, a male passenger was asking for free tickets. The 51 -year -old victim conductor said that the passenger who was forbidden to give free tickets asked him to talk in Marathi. Meanwhile, the conductor said, “I only know Kannada.” Then the debate increased and 6 to 7 people sitting in the bus attacked him and when the bus stopped, 50 others came to attack him.
Poxo case registered against conductor
Police Commissioner Eda Martin said that four people have been arrested in the case. In addition, a 14 -year -old boy has been arrested for attacking the conductor. This minor accused has also accused the conductor of sexual harassment. The police have registered a case against the conductor under Section 12 of the Poxo Act and are investigating.
Bus sabotage
A day after the attack, there was widespread resentment in many areas on Saturday (February 22). Many Kannada organizations organized protests and marches. Subsequently, members of the Karnataka Nav Nirman Sena put a soot vessel on the face of a Marathi bus conductor in Chitradurga. Apart from this, the windows of the bus were also broken.
Bus service canceled between Karnataka and Maharashtra
Tension has arisen in the area after the attack. The bus service from Belgavi in Karnataka to Maharashtra has been closed. During this time, buses were sent only to Cagnoli checkpoint. Later Maharashtra also stopped bus services for Karnataka. Maharashtra only sends buses to Kagal taluka.
History of dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka
- Belagavi has long been the center of regional dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra. There is a good population of Marathi speaking people here. After independence in 1947, the demand for division of divided states on the basis of language began to arise. Then in the year 1956, the State Reorganization Act was passed. Under which 14 states and 6 union territories were created. At that time Maharashtra was known as Mumbai and Karnataka as Mysore. Following the recommendations of the State Reorganization Commission (SRC), several Marathi -speaking areas including Belagavi, Karwar, Bidar and Bhalki were merged with Karnataka (erstwhile Mysore State).
- The Meghnath Mahajan Commission was formed by the Central Government in the year 1966. In this report, it was recommended to give 264 villages to Maharashtra and 247 villages to Karnataka. Maharashtra rejected this report. However, Karnataka demanded its implementation.
- In 1986, the Government of Karnataka attempted to connect Belgavi with South Karnataka. Which was opposed by pro -Maharashtra parties. There were violent clashes between Kannada and Marathi supporters.
- In 2004, Maharashtra filed a petition in the Supreme Court to include 856 villages and Belagavi in Maharashtra. The Karnataka government opposed this. It was said that this is an issue inspired by politics. It cannot be taken to court.
- In 2006, the Karnataka government declared Belagavi as its second capital and also held assembly session there. Maharashtra supporters called it ‘forced’ of Karnataka.
- In 2019, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray said that Maharashtra has the right to Belagavi. The Karnataka government opposed this statement.
- In the year 2022, there was a clash between Karnataka Guard Vedika and Shiv Sena activists. During this time many trains from Maharashtra to Karnataka were damaged.