Koshyari should speak to Karnataka Guv over Belgaum dispute: Sena
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Monday said Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari should speak to his Karnataka counterpart in "strong words" about the alleged "atrocities" committed against Marathi-speaking people in the Belgaum district of the southern state.
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' also targeted Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi's reported remark that Belgaum will continue to be a part of Karnataka till the sun and moon exist.
It said the boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka (over Belgaum and other border areas) is pending before the Supreme Court, which will not pass its judgment looking at whether the sun and moon exist in the sky or not.
Maharashtra claims Belgaum, part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency but currently a district of Karnataka, on linguistic grounds.
On Sunday, Maharashtra cabinet ministers sported black ribbons to express solidarity with Belgaum's Marathi-speaking people, who observe the foundation day of Karnataka on November 1 as "black day".
The 'Saamana' editorial alleged that "brutal attacks" are being made on Marathi people, language, and culture in the areas concerned in Karnataka for the past 60-odd years, and the observation of 'black day' is a reaction to that.
It said except for the Belgaum dispute, the two states enjoy stronger social, cultural, and trade ties between them compared to other states, but the "brutal manner" in which Karnataka has been treating 20 lakh Marathi-speaking people there causes anger.
"The governor of Maharashtra should speak to his Karnataka counterpart in strong words about these atrocities. At least, he should try to help the Belgaum delegation get the appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," it said.
The editorial further said ministers like Savadi should not forget that lakhs of people hailing from Karnataka are doing business and living happily in Maharashtra.
Referring to Maharashtra ministers sporting black ribbons on Sunday, the editorial said had leaders of the BJP and other parties in the state joined the protest, it would have highlighted the state's unity on the issue to Karnataka politicians.
Without naming BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and Pravin Darekar, it said at least the leaders of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and Council could have sported black ribbons to honor "sentiments of the people".
The BJP is in power in Karnataka and if "atrocities" are being committed against Marathi brothers there, then the hearts of the party's leaders in Maharashtra "must soak in tears", the editorial said.
"Why it did not happen, only they know...it has been published that (Maharashtra BJP chief) Chandrakant Dada Patil said Belgaum and other villages of Marathi-speaking people must be incorporated in Maharashtra. Thanking Patil for saying that!" the Sena publication said.
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NIA court to complete framing of charges against 2010 hand-chopping case accused on May 15
Kochi (PTI): A special court here will complete proceedings for framing charges against the prime accused in the 2010 hand-chopping case involving professor T J Joseph, in which PFI activists were accused of attacking him at Muvattupuzha.
Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas, on April 30, heard the arguments of counsel for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.
A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor Joseph's right hand in July 2010, accusing him of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.
The case, later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in the conviction of 19 accused.
The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph’s palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.
The NIA also arrested Shafeer, who allegedly arranged shelter and provided logistical support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur since 2020.
On April 30, the court heard the counsel for the accused and the NIA prosecutor on framing charges against the duo.
"On going through the documents and evidence in the case and on hearing the counsel for the accused and the prosecutor, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the first accused has committed offences punishable under provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and that the second accused has committed offences punishable under the IPC and the UAPA, and there are materials for framing charges under these provisions against the accused," the court said.
The court directed that Savad be produced and Shafeer, who is on bail, appear before it on May 15 for recording their pleas as part of the charge-framing process.
After framing the charges, the court will schedule the trial in the case.
