V S Malimath, former chief justice of the Kerala High Court, has raised concerns that Karnataka might have to pay a heavy price for its laid-back attitude on the border dispute with Maharashtra.
In an interview with M Venkatesh of Express, he said the neighbouring state has filed a suit before the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of Belagavi and other Marathi-speaking areas to Maharashtra.
You have made a sweeping remark that the government has been in deep slumber while dealing with the border dispute with Maharashtra. What made you say that?
The state government is doing nothing on the border issue, while Maharashtra is seeking directions to transfer all Marathi-speaking areas to their state.
What should have been done by the Karnataka government?
According to me, the original suit filed by the Maharashtra government is not maintainable and no attempts are being made by the Karnataka government to question the very fundamental issue of the maintainability of the suit filed before the Supreme Court. It is a legal question on which Karnataka should have forwarded its argument. Instead of doing that, Karnataka is walking into the trap laid by Maharashtra.
What are the other lapses on Karnataka’s part?
We had made an appeal to the state government to constitute an expert committee comprising legal experts and elected representatives of the region, including ministers, to review and monitor proceedings in the Supreme Court on the issue. However, it has fallen on deaf ears. No serious efforts are being made by the present government to deal with the issue.
Don’t you think the decline of the influence of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, a strong organisation which has been vocal in seeking the merger of Belagavi and other parts with Maharashtra, and holding the Assembly session in Belagavi, would make it easier for Karnataka to defend its borders?
These are all emotional factors which the Supreme Court will not take into cognisance while dealing with the issue. It is a legal battle and there is no place for any emotions.
Will you volunteer to extend legal services to the Karnataka government on the issue?
I am not going to stoop to that level... There are other equally competent people. The government must identify them and make efforts to enlist their services to protect the interests of the state. The immediate need is to constitute an expert and people’s representative committee replacing the present Ramakrishna committee, which only comprises officials, to handle the issue.