Condemning acts of violence that erupted in Belgaum this week that involved beating up of Marathi speaking persons by Karnataka Police, the Supreme Court on Friday urged both States against “disturbing” national integration.
With Maharashtra crying foul over the action against Marathis in Belgaum, Karnataka came up with a fresh application alleging that in 44 villages situated in Maharashtra, more and more Marathi schools were being established despite a majority population being Kannada speaking.
Issuing notice on the State’s application, the bench headed by Chief Justice RM lodha was pained to see State actors behaving like “private litigants”. The bench, also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohington Nariman said, "If State takes law into its hands and behaves in this manner, then there cannot be a more unfortunate situation." It reminded both sides, "National integration should not be disturbed."
Senior advocate Uday Holla who represented Karnataka informed Court that in 44 villages of Jath Taluk in Maharashtra, the Zilla Panchayat is running 88 Marathi schools. "Despite repeated requests of villagers, Kannada medium schools are being sidelined and Marathi medium schools are being encouraged by the state."
To this, Maharashtra's counsel Harish Salve replied that acts of violence was perpetrated by Karnataka Police against Marathis in Belgaum and sought to file a separate application. Holla said that in Belgaum boards were put up declaring it to be part of Maharashtra which cannot be acceptable.
"How will we know what is for which reason…there cannot be a more serious situation," the bench said, giving six weeks to Maharashtra to respond to Karnataka's application.