Shiv Sena MPs on Wednesday protested the police action against Marathi-speaking people in Belgaum district of Karnataka in lok Sabha leading to adjournment of the House till noon. The Sena members came to the well shouting slogans against the Karnataka Government for the alleged police action in the Maharashtra-Karnataka border district. Showing photographs of those allegedly injured in the police action and newspaper clippings, the Sena MPs demanded suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue.

Some BJP members from Karnataka stood in the aisle objecting to the Shiv Sena members’ protest. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to persuade the Sena members to go back to their seats but as pandemonium continued, she adjourned the House till noon.

later, when the House assembled, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant expressed concern over the attack on Marathi-speaking people, saying 50 of them including women and children have been injured. He alleged that Karnataka has always resorted to discrimination of the Marathi-speaking people and said Maharashtra has already approached the Supreme Court on the boundary row.

Sawant, who was strongly supported by his party colleagues, apprehended reaction in Maharashtra if such attacks are not stopped. BJP member from Karnataka Pralhad Joshi rejected the Sena contention and insisted that the boundary row has been settled after the Mahajan Commission report way back in 1960.  He said the problem arose recently as some persons in Yellore village put up a board that it belongs to Maharashtra. Joshi said Belgaum and surrounding boundary areas have been part of Karnataka and would remain so.