Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar has advocated in favour of smaller States with decentralised administration while holding both Karnataka and Maharashtra governments responsible for the long-drawn-out boundary dispute between them on the question of Belagavi.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, she said that the boundary dispute between the two States was not about unification or division but of justice to a section of people struggling to protect their identity since long.
When the governments could create smaller States, why not resolve the Belagavi question. Even if Belagavi merges with Maharashtra, it would not affect the strong cultural bonds between the Kannada and Marathi communities.
Stating that Karnataka and Maharashtra leaders were not taking the boundary dispute to a logical conclusion, she suggested an all-party meeting involving leaders of national parties to find an amicable solution.
Karnataka, Maharashtra blamed for
long-drawn-out boundary dispute
