Maharashtra-Karnataka border row: Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and Marathi people, will not allow anybody else to stake claim, says CM Shinde
The Hindu
Ruling and Opposition parties censure Karnataka leadership for hurting sentiments of the Marathi-speaking people
Condemning statements of some Karnataka leaders that Mumbai ought to be declared a Union Territory and that it ought to belong to the southern State, both the ruling Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition censured the Karnataka leadership for hurting sentiments of the Marathi-speaking people by repeatedly making provocative remarks amid the renewed Maharashtra-Karnataka border spat.
The latest verbal fracas erupted after former CM Uddhav Thackeray demanded that the disputed districts of Belagavi, Karwar, Nippani and others with a significant Marathi-speaking populace be declared a Union Territory and placed under the Centre’s rule.
In response, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J.C. Madhuswamy stated that Mumbai ought to be declared a Union Territory while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Laxman Savadi reportedly said that Mumbai belonged to Karnataka.
Following the uproar by the Opposition over the remarks of the Karnataka leaders, CM Shinde said that the statements regarding Mumbai were highly condemnable and that “no one ought to play with fire” by making such provocative statements.
“Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and the Marathi-speaking people… it is not the property of someone’s father that they can just stake claim to it. Such provocative statements cannot be tolerated by anybody. Be it bomb blasts, riots or any other calamity, Mumbaikars have always risen to the occasion and have come together to save the city. [Late Shiv Sena founder] Bal Thackeray has protected it,” said Mr. Shinde, speaking in the Legislative Council.
Likewise, Deputy CM and BJP leader Fadnavis, too, condemned the remarks made by the Karnataka BJP leaders and said that their government will not tolerate anyone staking claim over Mumbai and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would be requested to reprimand such “loose-tongued” leaders.
“The comments by Karnataka MLAs or the Karnataka Congress president are contrary to what was decided [at the recent meeting of Karnataka and Maharashtra CMs with Mr. Shah]. Will not tolerate any claim staked on Mumbai. We condemn these statements and will send a letter to the Karnataka government on this matter,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.