Aaditya Thackeray Asks Centre to Grant Union Territory Status to Belagavi Over Marathi Community's Alleged Suppression

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday expressed concerns over the alleged suppression of Marathi-speaking people in Belagavi, Karnataka, and demanded the region be granted Union Territory status. Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Thackeray criticized the situation, highlighting the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti’s opposition to the Karnataka Assembly’s winter session in Belagavi. The Samiti, which seeks Belagavi's merger with Maharashtra, faced restrictions from the Karnataka government.

"Marathi speakers in Belagavi are being suppressed, and our workers are being detained without reason," Thackeray said. He also criticized the previous Maharashtra government for not fulfilling promises to support the region.

Thackeray questioned the central government's commitment to resolving the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, urging the BJP-led Centre to clarify if it would declare Belagavi a Union Territory.

The demand for Belagavi's Union Territory status stems from the long-standing border dispute between the two states. Thackeray reiterated that Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demand has always been for Belagavi to be declared a Union Territory. Further developments are awaited as the situation unfolds.