“The Maharashtra government will urge the Karnataka government not to impose Kannada language on Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka,” Maharashtra Minister for Industries and Marathi language Uday Samant said in Belagavi on Sunday.

He told a delegation of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti that met him in Belagavi that he will raise before the Karnataka government all issues faced by Marathi-speakers in Belagavi.

“The purpose of my visit is to engage in a dialogue with MES leaders and others regarding the difficulties and grievances faced by the Marathi-speaking population here. In my capacity as Minister for Marathi language, I plan to meet with Karnataka Chief Minister and other Ministers concerned to present the issues faced by Marathi speakers in the border region. We will present the grievances of Marathi speakers before the Karnataka government,” he said.

He was here to attend a function organised by the Ratnagiri Kumbi Samaj.

“The sole objective of my visit is to ensure that the Marathi-speaking community gets justice and that their issues are effectively resolved,” he said.

However, Mr. Samant expressed displeasure about the use of “Belagavi” instead of “Belgaum” to refer to the city in his tour programme issued by the Maharashtra government and promised action against those found responsible.

The Maharashtra Minister said that he will soon arrange a meeting of the Belagavi MES leaders with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde where the border issue and others will be discussed.

He told MES leaders that he will be constantly available for communication with them regarding issues concerning the border region.

He also said he will soon undertake another tour of the area along with other Maharashtra Ministers.

Mr. Samant said that holding an immediate meeting is not possible due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the Legislative Council elections in Maharashtra.

However, “once the Code of Conduct ends, I will personally act as a coordinator to facilitate a meeting between the MES leaders and the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister,” he said.

MES leaders previously issued a warning that they will stage a protest in front of the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s residence in Mumbai on June 29, seeking early resolution of issues faced by Marathi-speakers in Belagavi. Mr. Samant said that this protest has been temporarily called off, following his assurances.

“We will not let a situation arise where Belagavi-based MES feels compelled to stage a protest in Mumbai,” he said.

MES delegation urged him to take steps to expedite the hearing of the Belagavi border dispute case pending before the Supreme Court. The Minister said that he will convey their feelings to Mr. Fadnavis.

He said that he was holding the meeting to better understand the various issues faced by Marathi-speakers in the border region.

“It is not my intention to criticise the Karnataka government standing in Belagavi. In fact, I want to thank the Karnataka government and Belagavi district administration for making security arrangements during my visit,” he said.