New Karnataka Political Controversy: 'Belgaum Belongs To Karnataka, Not Maharashtra'

The resignation of Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar has been demanded by the Karnataka BJP following her statement that the border district Belagavi belonged to Maharashtra before Independence. The controversial statement was made by Hebbalkar during the Sixth Kannada Convention organized at Karadga Village in Belagavi District on Sunday.

Describing the rich history of Kannada language and Karnataka state, Hebbalkar stated that Belagavi was part of Maharashtra before Independence, sparking a controversy. The video of her statement has also gone viral on social media.

Reacting to the controversial statement, BJP MLA SR Vishwanath demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remove Hebbalkar from the Cabinet. "Long ago, Belagavi was unified into the state of Karnataka. Unfortunately, Minister Hebbalkar issued such a statement for vote bank politics. Hebbalkar has insulted 6.5 crore Kannada people. Belagavi belongs to Karnataka, and that is why the government organizes the Assembly session in Belagavi," he said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan stated that Karnataka was ruled by many kingdoms earlier, and the state came into existence after unification. "At this stage, there is no necessity to go backwards. This is a political statement that is not required at this point. Belagavi belongs to Karnataka, and there should not be any political conspiracy in this regard. The statement by Minister Hebbalkar won't get support either from Kannada or Maratha people," he stated, reported IANS.

What is the dispute between Mumbai and Karnataka?

Here's all you need to know about the Belgaum district dispute:

• The decades-old dispute over the Belagavi (Belgaum) district between Karnataka and Maharashtra has resurfaced.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on January 18, stated the commitment of his government to incorporate areas of Karnataka where Marathi-speaking people are in the majority, considering it a true tribute to the cause's martyrs.
• This issue has been raised by Shiv Sena previously, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in 2019 calling for the incorporation of Belgaum (Belagavi), Karwar, and Nipani areas of Karnataka into Maharashtra, according to Times Of India.
• Responding to Thackeray, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi suggested including Mumbai in Karnataka and urged the Centre to declare Mumbai a Union Territory until that happens.
• Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa condemned Thackeray's statement, emphasizing the brotherhood among Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Successive Maharashtra governments have supported claims over the Belgaum district, leading to an ongoing case in the Supreme Court.
• Belgaum was initially part of the Bombay Presidency, a multi-lingual province, and later came under Bombay State after India's independence in 1947, reported TOI.
• The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 made Belgaum and 10 talukas of Bombay State part of the then Mysore State, now Karnataka.
• In 1966, the Mahajan Commission, formed under former Chief Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan, granted certain villages to Maharashtra and others to Karnataka, maintaining that Belgaum should continue in Karnataka.
• In 2018, members of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti protested against a Karnataka minister in Belgaum over a song praising Kannada people.
• Maharashtra rejected the Mahajan Commission's report, leading to ongoing tensions, with Karnataka demanding the status quo.
• In 2006, the Maharashtra government filed a petition in the Supreme Court staking claim over Belgaum city, citing a "feeling of insecurity among the Marathi-speaking people living in Karnataka," as per TOI reports.
• Belgaum district, along with Belgaum city, continues to be part of Karnataka despite the historical dispute.