The Hindu : Karnataka News : `Maharashtra has no right over Belgaum'

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Saturday, Sep 18, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

`Maharashtra has no right over Belgaum'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, SEPT. 17. Maharashtra has no right to claim Belgaum district, which is an integral part of Karnataka, the noted researcher Chidananda Murthy has said.

Dr. Murthy was reacting to recent news reports stating that the Government of Maharashtra planned to approach the Supreme Court claiming territorial rights over Belgaum district.

Displaying a map of Karnataka that he said dated back to the 19th Century, at a press conference here today, Dr. Murthy said Belgaum district had always been part of Karnataka. "Scholars and researchers, in fact, say that Kolhapur and Solhapur (now in Maharashtra), Kurnool (in Andhra Pradesh), present-day Goa and even towns such as Calicut (Kozhikode) were once part of Karnataka.

Relegated to border

Belgaum itself used to be located in the `centre' of the State. Now it has been relegated to the border. The State Government has to take this matter seriously," he stressed.

The people of Karnataka had to be united against such moves. "The Government must ensure that it prepares its arguments carefully."

The scholar also felt that the State song, `Jayabharata Jananeeya Thanujaathe' was not getting the respect it deserved. "It must be compulsorily played at all government functions and in schools. People must stand up in respect the way we honour the national anthem," Dr. Murthy added.

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