Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray has demanded that Belgaum (Belagavi) in Karnataka be declared a Union Territory, citing years of injustice faced by the Marathi-speaking community in the region. Thackeray criticized both the central and state governments for their inaction in resolving the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and secure justice for the Marathi population.
In a recent interview with ANI, the Worli MLA condemned the denial of rights to the Marathi-speaking residents of Belgaum and called for decisive action. “For years, the Marathi community in Belgaum has faced discrimination and injustice. Despite numerous appeals, there has been no resolution. The Prime Minister must take swift action to address this issue and ensure justice for the Marathi people,” he stated.
Thackeray also highlighted the Karnataka government’s refusal to permit the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) to hold public gatherings in Belagavi. For the past three years, the MES has been denied permission to conduct its annual convention during the Karnataka winter assembly session, citing law and order concerns. The MES, an organization advocating for the rights of Marathi speakers in Karnataka’s border areas, has long demanded the merger of Belgaum and other border regions with Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have accused Karnataka authorities of increasing security at border checkpoints, airports, and railway stations to prevent the entry of Maharashtra leaders into Belagavi. Thackeray expressed frustration over these measures, stating, “This is not just a regional issue; it is about safeguarding the identity and rights of an entire community.”
The Belgaum dispute stems from a long-standing territorial disagreement between Maharashtra and Karnataka, with both states claiming the region. Marathi-speaking residents of Belgaum have alleged cultural and linguistic discrimination in Karnataka, fueling calls for its integration into Maharashtra.
As tensions persist, Thackeray’s demand to declare Belgaum a Union Territory has reignited the debate, placing pressure on the central government to address the grievances of the Marathi-speaking population and find a lasting solution to the border dispute.