Border row: Gods in a dilemma!
Belgaum, July 1: Finding no solution in the courts or elsewhere to the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karntaka, the pro-Maratha lobby in Belgaum feels it has been left with no other option but to seek divine help.
Marathi leaders here feel the annual week-long Pandarpur jathra, which starts on July 3, offers the best opportunity to invoke the gods to intervene in the dispute and resolve it. They have urged the Maharastra government to pray for an early end to the dispute during the jathra, when a pooja is performed to Vithal Rukmai in Pandarpur.
A team led by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra traditionally performs the pooja at the Pandarpur jathra for the welfare of the state and its people. People of Maharashtra have great faith in the Pandarpur jathra and believe that Vithal Rukmai blesses themwith everything they ask for. This most popular jathra is attended by lakhs of devotees every year.
Sources in the Maharashtra government say preparations are being made in Pandarpur to ensure the smooth conduct of the pooja led by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. Usually, prayers are offered for good rains and crops in Maharashtra at Pandarpur. This time, however, there could be more on the wish list presented to the gods.
“The long legal battle between the governments has not been able to resolve the boundary row. This time Vithal Rukmai will listen to our prayers,” say several pro-Maharashtra leaders here, who have conveyed their sentiments to Mr Chavan.
“There is no other option left for the government but to pray,” these Marathi leaders say. They intend to join the Maharashtra government's team which will perform the pooja before the start of the Pandarpur jathra on July 3. Pro-Maharashtra leaders like Netaji Jadhav and Vikrant Kangralkar, have already left for Pandarpur to participate in the pooja.
But it now seems the dispute could place even the Gods in a dilemma. According to sources, not just Maharashtrians but also lakhs of Kannadigas will take part in the jathra for the welfare of Karnataka and their own well being.
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Sir, the correspondents n reporters often mistake the Border issue of Marathi people as being lead only by pro-Maratha lobby.
Sir, for your knowledge, 'MARATHA 'is a Caste and Marathi is a Language. From an observation it is evident that Marathi speaking people in this issue consists of various people belonging to different groups & castes.
So we as responsible citizens expect that hence forth while publication of news the correspondents & other media -men will take care not to refer Marathi as MARATHA Lobby.
(Note: I am not in support of any of the languages or their issues but referring to a particular community may create complications if not to you amongst the general public)
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