Pune: Kannada Activists Slap Maharashtra ST Driver; Shiv Sena UBT Blackens Karnataka ST Bus
Pune/Chitradurga, 22nd February 2025: Tensions between Maharashtra and Karnataka escalated once again after activists of Kannada Rakshak Vedike stopped a Maharashtra State Transport (ST) bus in Chitradurga and allegedly slapped the driver for not knowing Kannada. The incident has sparked outrage in Maharashtra, leading to retaliatory protests in Pune.
In response, members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) group protested by blackening a Karnataka State Transport bus parked near Laxminarayan Talkies, Pune. The protesters also raised slogans against the Karnataka government, accusing it of repeated atrocities against Marathi-speaking citizens.
Tit-for-Tat Protest in Pune
Shiv Sena UBT leader Suraj Lokhande condemned the Chitradurga incident and issued a strong warning to Karnataka authorities.
“Once again, some organizations from Karnataka have slapped an ST driver just because he does not know Kannada. We have responded today by blackening a Karnataka bus in Pune. If such injustice against Marathi people continues, we will not allow Karnataka buses to operate in Pune,” said Lokhande.
The border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka has been a longstanding issue, with periodic tensions fueled by linguistic and political differences. The latest incident has further aggravated the situation, raising concerns over possible disruptions to transport services between the two states.
Authorities in both states are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further escalation.
