Priyank warns Maha against backing border unrest

Bengaluru: Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday cautioned Maharashtra against supporting any activity that could trigger unrest in Belagavi, while saying the neighbouring state is free to extend legal assistance to organisations like the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES).His remarks came after Maharashtra announced legal aid for Marathi-speaking people and organisations facing court cases in Karnataka. “If they want to support their organisations, let them. We have no locus standi in it. But when it comes to our land, water, state and language, we will not back out. Let them back MES or anyone else. Whether it is Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh, if there are any border issues, ultimately the matter has to be fought legally,” Priyank said.He added, “Just because some organisations or some CM or minister says something, we cannot draw lines however we want. The borders have been drawn by the States Reorganisation Commission on linguistic grounds.”Stressing that legal remedies were the only way forward, he said, “We too won’t let such things happen. Let them take it as a warning or as advice. We will not allow any attempts to indulge in mischief in our state or agitations that may lead to conflict.

I’m sure there is much maturity and wisdom in the Maharashtra govt,” he added.On Wednesday, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said his govt would appoint senior legal experts, if required, to expedite the long-pending border dispute in the

Supreme Court

and bear legal expenses for Marathi-speaking people facing court cases in Karnataka. The Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute dates back to the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1957.