The Maharashtra legislature passed a resolution to strongly condemn the atrocities the Karnataka government has meted out to the people who have been seeking merger with the Marathi-speaking neighbouring state since 1960. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tabled the draft in both the houses and the same was cleared unanimously. Shinde also raised safety concerns and demanded from the Karnataka government a guarantee of security of the Marathi-speaking people in the disputed border areas.

It was resolved that the state government will not leave any stone unturned to merge the Marathi majority towns of Belgavi, Karwar, Nipani, Bhalaki and Bidar and 865 villages with Maharashtra. Though the two states have been fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court, atrocities have been reported from Karnataka.