Mumbai, Dec 20: Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray today requested President Pratibha Patil to direct the Union government to declare Belgaum and Marathi-speaking area in Karnataka as Centrally-administered region.
The party executive president also told her that the Karnataka government had dissolved the Belgaum Municipal Corporation out of "hatred against Marathi people".
"I request you to intervene in the matter and direct the Union government to declare Belgaum and Marathi-speaking area in Karnataka as Centrally-administered region," Uddhav, who met Patil at Raj Bhawan here, said in a letter to her.
"Injustice has been heaped on Marathi populace in Belgaum and other areas. Karnataka government is using canes and bullets to deal with those seeking redressal of their grievance," he said.
Later, Uddhav told reporters that an "emergency-like situation" prevails in Belgaum.
"The Marathi people there have agitated for a long time. The matter (border row) is in court. The government there is headed by BJP. Be it of any party, the government there has always been anti-Marathi," he said.
Uddhav said he had requested the President to help protect the interests of Marathi-speaking people in the neighbouring state.
Emphasising his party's resolve to stand by the Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka, Uddhav said, Sena would soon announce its action plan that includes statewide agitations and Maharashtra bandh, besides a march to Delhi on the issue.
Karnataka government recently superseded Belgaum Corporation for not performing its functions in accordance with the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act 1976, and for certain actions that "offended the sentiments" of the people.
The city mayor and deputy mayor had observed Karnataka foundation day on November 1 as "black day". The civic body had also passed a resolution stating that it will not hold civic reception to honour the Jnanpith awardee Chandrasekhara Kambara, which had triggered protest in other parts of the state.
