Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Rejects Childish Remarks on Belagavi Separation
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Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 10 (NationPress) The Mahajan Commission Report concerning Belagavi is definitive, and any persistent claims advocating for the district's merger with Maharashtra are utterly nonsensical, asserted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday.
In response to a media inquiry in Belagavi regarding remarks made by Aaditya Thackeray, CM Siddaramaiah emphasized that the Karnataka government will not condone such childish remarks.
He criticized the demand to designate Belagavi as a Union Territory, stating, “For us, the Mahajan Commission Report is conclusive. Once the Mahajan Report has been accepted, the matter is resolved.”
When reporters questioned whether the government would take action if members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti resorted to violence over this issue, the Chief Minister responded, “Anyone who engages in violence will not be ignored by us.”
Previously, Aaditya Thackeray claimed that Marathi-speaking individuals in Belagavi were facing oppression.
“Since Sunday, conditions in the area have worsened. Our party workers are being detained,” he remarked.
The border town of Belagavi has been integrated into Karnataka since the boundaries were established along linguistic lines under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.
However, the interstate border conflict between Karnataka and Maharashtra flares up periodically.
Regarding the reservation movement by the Panchamasali Lingayat community, CM Siddaramaiah mentioned that while the government invited community leaders for discussions, they did not attend.
“In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest, and we do not oppose such demonstrations,” he stated.
Commenting on the passing of veteran leader S.M. Krishna, who was affiliated with the Congress for 46 years before departing from the party, CM Siddaramaiah lauded him as an able administrator.
“S.M. Krishna served in various capacities including the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha,” he noted.
“S.M. Krishna had been ill for the past six months. His passing is a significant loss for the state. I pray for strength for his family and supporters to cope with this sorrow and for his soul to attain peace. I visited him in the hospital two months ago during his treatment,” he added.
The Chief Minister announced that Wednesday would be declared a state holiday, coupled with a three-day mourning period. He also confirmed his attendance at the funeral scheduled for tomorrow.
