Maharashtra Seeks Swift Supreme Court Hearing, Backs Marathi Speakers Along Karnataka Border

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government would make every possible effort to secure an early hearing in the Supreme Court in the long-pending Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute and would appoint senior legal experts, if required, to strengthen the state's case.

Chairing a meeting of the high-power committee on the border issue at the state legislature, Fadnavis reiterated that protecting the rights and interests of Marathi-speaking people living in the border areas remains a priority for his government.

The Chief Minister announced that Maharashtra would provide legal assistance to Marathi-speaking residents facing court cases in Karnataka. The state will appoint lawyers for them and bear the associated legal expenses. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by people in the border regions and assured them that the government stands firmly behind them.

Fadnavis said the government would file the necessary applications before the Supreme Court seeking an expedited hearing of the dispute. He also directed that all relevant information concerning the Commission for Linguistic Minorities be compiled and shared with Maharashtra's Members of Parliament so that the matter can be effectively raised in Parliament.

To improve support for residents in the disputed regions, he said a ministerial committee would establish a coordinated mechanism to provide legal and administrative assistance.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the government is sensitive to the concerns of Marathi-speaking people along the Karnataka border and is committed to resolving the issue under Fadnavis' leadership. He highlighted existing welfare measures, including reservation benefits in pre-examination training centres, engineering colleges and medical education institutions.

The meeting was attended by Sharad Pawar, Narayan Rane , several ministers, legislators, legal experts and representatives of organisations working for Marathi-speaking communities in the border areas.

The Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute dates back to the reorganisation of states in 1956. Maharashtra claims that several Marathi-speaking areas, including Belagavi and nearby regions that are currently part of Karnataka, should be merged with Maharashtra , while Karnataka maintains that the existing state boundaries are final and non-negotiable. The issue has persisted for decades and remains pending before the Supreme Court, making it one of India's most significant inter-state disputes.