GS 2 – POLITY
Context: The border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka has resurfaced due to linguistic tensions in Belagavi, leading to renewed legal and political confrontations over territorial claims.
Origins of the Dispute
- State Reorganisation Act, 1956: This Act reorganized Indian states based on linguistic lines, sparking disputes over Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka.
- Formation of Karnataka (1956): The renaming of Mysore State to Karnataka intensified Maharashtra’s claims over Belagavi and surrounding regions.
- Maharashtra’s Claim: Maharashtra argues that 865 villages, including Belagavi, Nipani, and Karwar, should be part of its territory due to linguistic and cultural ties.
Mahajan Commission (1966)
- Formed under Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan to settle the dispute.
- Recommendations:
- 247 villages from Maharashtra to be merged with Karnataka.
- 264 villages, including Nippani and Khanapur, from Karnataka to be given to Maharashtra.
- Maharashtra’s Rejection: The state rejected the report, claiming it favored Karnataka and ignored the Marathi-speaking population.
MAINS QUESTION
Examine the constitutional and legal mechanisms available to address inter-state border disputes in India, with reference to the Maharashtra-Karnataka conflict.