The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– Dec 21, 2022; Day 388

Fluid (Unconstrained and flowing smoothly in movement) boundaries: On border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra

Inter-State disputes can only be solved by a political culture respectful of diversity 

The dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra over areas that both States claim to be theirs has become nasty (Offensive or even (of persons) malicious) and noisy in recent weeks, even leading to violence. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis — both from the BJP — have crossed swords (To fight with someone) publicly. Campaigners for the merger of Karnataka’s Marathi-speaking areas with Maharashtra upped the ante (increase what is at stake or under discussion, especially in a conflict or dispute) this week by organising a conference in Belgaum. Maharashtra politicians wanted to attend it but were stopped by the police, leading to a flare-up (A sudden intense happening), possibly as intended by the invitees and the organisers. Karnataka’s practice, since 2006, of holding the winter session of the Assembly in Belgaum, is itself an assertion (A declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)) of its authority over the place. Recently, Mr. Bommai reiterated (To say, state, or perform again) Karnataka’s claim over 48 villages of Sangli in Maharashtra, drawing a sharp rebuttal (The speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument). With exchanges getting increasingly provocative, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has told the Chief Ministers to dial down (lessen the amount, intensity, or degree of a quality, factor, etc.) the rhetoric (Using language effectively to please or persuade) and wait for the Supreme Court to adjudicate (Bring to an end; come to a final conclusion) the matter. The Court is seized of (be in legal possession of something) the matter, but it can only do so much as the underlying factors that originated along with the 1956 linguistic (Consisting of or related to language) reorganisation of Indian States are not easily amenable to technical and legal solutions.

Carving out (Establish or create through painstaking effort) political units that neatly correspond with various linguistic groups is impossible in India. As a result, almost all States have linguistic minorities that are accorded (Let have; give the right to; give the opportunity or permission to) special rights. The Maharashtra-Karnataka row fundamentally arises out of a lack of appreciation of that reality. In 1957, Maharashtra claimed 814 villages and the three urban settlements of Belagavi, Karwar and Nippani in Karnataka; Karnataka not only rebuffed (Reject outright and bluntly) Maharashtra’s claims but also began to claim areas in Kolhapur, Sholapur and Sangli districts in Maharashtra. Elsewhere, Maharashtra and Telangana are caught in a dispute across their border, in Chandrapur and Asifabad districts, respectively. Reports of populations wanting to have their places shift from one State to another have emerged in recent weeks. In the Northeast, some boundary disputes between States have cost lives. It is wise to defer (Hold back to a later time) to the Court’s decision on any dispute, but harmony can be achieved only through embracing (Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one’s sphere or territory) and promoting a political culture that is respectful of diversity that cannot be neatly demarcated (Separate clearly, as if by boundaries). Fluid political and cultural boundaries criss-cross (Cross in a pattern, often random) the landscape of India. If new fires are lit through divisive politics, the judiciary can do very little. That will be a double engine failure.

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