Marathi writers, politicians to revive Belgaum merger demand

By Arunkumar Bhatt

MUMBAI, MAY 1. Marathi writers and politicians have resolved to revive the decades-old movement for merger in Maharashtra of Belgaum, Karvar and Nipani now in Karnataka while celebrating today the 40th anniversary of the State's formation, Maharashtra Day.

The writers holding their annual convention, in the disputed Belgaum, yesterday passed a resolution urging the State Government to chalk out an action plan to resolve the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute pending for the past 44 years.

The Chief Minister, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, has promptly responded in his address to the State on the occasion of the Maharashtra Day that the Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka should be incorporated in Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena Chief, Mr.Bal Thackeray, who has been taking more than a vocal stand, has readily accepted the suggestion of the president of the convention, the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, Dr. Y.D. Phadke, that the Supreme Court be moved. The Convention appointed a committee of five headed by Dr. Phadke, a staunch supporter of the Greater Maharashtra, to highlight the border dispute amongst the country's parliamentarians and to educate the new Marathi generation about the problem. Dr. Phadke wants to coopt Marathi theatre and film personalities, journalists, artists and sportspersons to stage a joint fast and dharna in front of the Maharashtra legislature during monsoon session.

The Marathi writers' committee would also act as a pressure group and impress upon the State-appointed committee headed by the Chief Minister on the issue with a view to getting the necessary priority. Leaders, Mr. Sharad Pawar, Prof. Madhu Dandavate, Mr. N.D. Patil and now the Union Minister, Mr. Manohar Joshi are the members of the CM's committee.

Though being a member of the committee, Mr. Pawar's reported statement made recently that the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue should now be treated as ended has drawn flak from his rivals and critics in the State. Mr. Deshmukh who is in power in partnership of Mr. Pawar's Nationalist Congress said his Government's approach was mentioned in the Governor's address that the question be taken up for its just resolution.

Mr. Thackeray's reaction was sharp. ``Only those who are ended in politics would say so,'' he told his party organ, Samana. Analysts believe that the revival of the Belgaum movement can have political repercussions and realignment for it would cut across the party lines. This has become evident in the criticism of Mr. Pawar. His denial that he did not say so has not helped much.

Dr. Phadke has urged Marathis of the disputed areas to ensure that in the census they were not passed off as Kannada- speaking people. He also wants them to insist for the census forms in Marathi and even consider filing a public interest petition for that.

On the question of Hindutva, Dr. Phadke would not see eye to eye with Mr. Thackeray but the noted writer recognises the Shiv Sena as a party that has been consistently demanding for Maharashtra Belgaum and Karvar.

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Section  : Regional
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