Don’t stoke tensions for politics

The recent assault on a conductor of the North Western Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) in Belagavi has escalated into an interstate conflict, reigniting long-standing tensions between Karnataka and Maharashtra. The incident occurred when conductor Mahadev Hukkeri requested two students to speak in Kannada, as he could not comprehend Marathi, the language they were using. This seemingly minor request, rooted in a communication barrier, led to an altercation that quickly spiralled out of control. Hukkeri was beaten by a group of individuals, leading to his hospitalisation. In a twist of events, a counter-complaint was filed by one of the assailants, a minor girl, accusing the conductor of sexual harassment, resulting in a Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case being registered against him.

As news of the assault spread, it ignited passions on both sides of the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, feeding into the decades-old dispute over Belagavi. The tension soon spilled over with retaliatory acts of violence, including an attack on a Maharashtra bus driver at Chitradurga and protests by pro-Kannada activists in support of Hukkeri. KSRTC buses were vandalised in Pune, leading to a temporary suspension of interstate bus services. These incidents underscore how quickly localised conflicts can escalate into broader regional confrontations, especially when historical grievances are involved. Belagavi was incorporated into Karnataka (then Mysore) under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, while adjoining Marathi-speaking areas were placed under Maharashtra. While Karnataka maintains that the Mahajan Commission settled the issue in its favour, Maharashtra claims the matter remains unresolved as it is pending before the Supreme Court.

Politicians from both sides have seized upon the incident to further their agendas. Leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena have called for the Prime Minister’s intervention, while Karnataka BJP has condemned the “insult meted to Kannadigas”. However, it is crucial to recognise that the assault was not inherently tied to the border dispute or linguistic tensions. It was a local altercation that has been politicised and blown out of proportion. By framing the incident within the context of broader ideological and territorial conflicts, political leaders risk deepening divisions between communities that have co-existed for decades. Rather than exploiting the situation for narrow political gains, politicians must exercise restraint and concentrate on de-escalating tensions. The focus should be on holding individuals responsible for their actions, through legal means, rather than inflaming regional passions. This requires a balanced and civil approach that prioritises harmony over division. Leaders must resist the temptation to stoke ideological battles and instead work to foster understanding and cooperation so that such incidents do not lead to larger conflicts.