Uddhav Thackeray's Belagavi remark riles Karnataka minister, activists

BENGALURU: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray's describing Belagavi and nearby areas where people largely speak Marathi as 'Karnataka occupied Maharashtra' evoked a strong response from the Karnataka government and pro-Kannada organisations.
"Only a person who is not aware of history and facts can speak like this. He (Thackeray) should be ashamed for making such statements just for political reasons," said Kannada and culture minister CT Ravi.
Stating that the statement is mischievous, Ravi said the majority of people in Solapur in Maharashtra and Kasargod district in Kerala speak Kannada. "Going by his (Thackeray) logic, we should be calling them as 'Maharashtra occupied Karnataka' and 'Kerala occupied Karnataka'. Is it okay with him?" Ravi asked.
The states were reorganised on linguistic lines and it was done by the Congress government at the Centre. "Now, Thackeray is heading a government with the help of the Congress. Let him question it," he added.
Thackeray, during his reply in the Maharashtra assembly on the governor's address, also accused the BJP-led Central government of failing to protect Marathi-speaking people in Belagavi.
Ashok Chandaragi, coordinator, Confederation of Pro-Kannada Organisation, Belagavi, who has been fighting for the Kannada cause in the border district, chided Thackeray. "The matter is already before the Supreme Court. Thackeray as CM of a state should have common sense and shouldn't speak on subjects before the court," he said.
Claiming that Belagavi has been an integral part of Karnataka and will remain so in future, he said: "For the past 50 years, Maharashtra has been trying to take Belagavi but hasn't succeeded. It won't suceed in future too," he said. He urged the state government to be proactive in protecting the state's interest in the border issue.