The Central Government has issued notices to Karnataka and Maharashtra, highlighting their failure to organize meetings of the coordination committee aimed at addressing border disputes. According to insider sources, both state governments have been served notices for not convening meetings of the coordination committee established in December 2022 to resolve ongoing border conflicts.
The current Congress government, which assumed office in May 2023, reportedly was unaware of the existence of the coordination committee on border disputes. State Law Minister HK Patil expressed a lack of knowledge about the committee and pledged to bring the matter to the attention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging swift formation of the committee.
Minister Patil emphasized the seriousness of the issue and stated, “Given the seriousness of the matter, I will urge the government to establish the committee immediately and take it seriously.”
During the previous BJP government, representatives from both Karnataka and Maharashtra formed the coordination committee. However, Belagavi district in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi acknowledged awareness of the committee but expressed ignorance about the lack of meetings and the failure to establish a new committee in the current government.
Jarkiholi stated, “I learned about the Union home ministry’s notice through the media. As a representative of the district, which is at the center of the dispute, I will soon appeal to the chief minister to comply with the notice to avoid adverse effects on the state’s position in the border dispute at the Supreme Court.”
The Union home ministry issued notices in February 2023 and December 2023, expressing disappointment at the lack of progress in committee meetings and urging both states to submit a status report urgently. Home Minister Amit Shah had directed the formation of three-member committees in both states to address language and border issues.
Kannada activist Ashok Chanderagi expressed disappointment at the state government’s neglect of the border dispute, warning that Karnataka’s disregard for the home ministry’s instructions could impact its case in the Supreme Court.
Tensions between Karnataka and Maharashtra escalated in November 2022 when Maharashtra’s chief minister claimed rights over 865 towns and villages in Karnataka. In response, the then Karnataka chief minister asserted rights over Kannada-populated areas in Maharashtra.
The home ministry organized a meeting of both chief ministers in New Delhi on December 22, 2022, advising against territorial claims until the border dispute is resolved in court.
Chanderagi criticized Maharashtra for violating the coordination committee’s treaty by lobbying the Prime Minister to establish a new commission to resolve the border dispute, contrary to Shah’s instructions.
The border dispute remains a contentious issue, with both states seeking a resolution amid ongoing tensions and negotiations.
