Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai/Chikkodi, Feb 22: Tensions between Maharashtra and Karnataka have reached a boiling point after a violent altercation involving the driver of a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus.
Following an attack by Kannada Rakshak Vedike activists on an ST bus in Chitradurga, the Maharashtra government took a significant step, suspending bus services between Kolhapur and Karnataka indefinitely.
The incident occurred on Friday evening when the MSRTC bus, en route to Maharashtra, was allegedly stopped by the activists, and its driver, Bhaskar Jadhav, was physically assaulted for not speaking Kannada.
The attack has sparked strong reactions across Maharashtra, with both Pune and Kolhapur witnessing protests by Shiv Sena factions. In retaliation, Karnataka residents launched their own protests, leading to a severe disruption in bus services on both sides.
Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik swiftly condemned the attack, saying, "The safety of our drivers, conductors, and passengers is our priority. We cannot tolerate such acts of violence." He immediately ordered the suspension of bus services from Kolhapur to Karnataka until the Karnataka government takes a firm stance on the issue.
The suspended services affect key routes, including the 120 daily buses that regularly travel from Kolhapur, Nippani, Chikkodi, and Belagavi to various destinations in Karnataka. The Maharashtra government has instructed transport authorities to halt all buses traveling to the border region as a precautionary measure. The bus services will remain suspended indefinitely, with the transport department stating that the decision was made due to safety concerns following the violence.
Minister Sarnaik reached out to the injured driver, assuring him that the government stood firmly behind him and would provide full support. In a bold statement, Sarnaik warned of further action if such incidents were to continue. "We will teach these goons a lesson. This issue must not be allowed to escalate. I will speak to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to ensure we handle this appropriately."
Meanwhile, the attack on the MSRTC bus has brought the simmering border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka into sharp focus. Sarnaik emphasised that the fight for regions like Belagavi, Nippani, and Karwar – areas Maharashtra claims as part of its territory – will continue, following in the footsteps of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s long-standing stance on the issue.
The violent incident, combined with the protests and retaliatory actions by both states, has added fuel to the already volatile situation, with each side accusing the other of fanning the flames of regional animosity.