“FEDERALISM AND INTERSTATE DISPUTES: THE MAHARASHTRA – KARNATAKA BORDER CONFLICT”

AUTHOR – MANASI SHEKHAR INAMDAR, STUDENT OF D.E.S. SHRI NAVALMAL FIRODIA LAW COLLEGE, PUNE

BEST CITATION – MANASI SHEKHAR INAMDAR, “FEDERALISM AND INTERSTATE DISPUTES: THE MAHARASHTRA – KARNATAKA BORDER CONFLICT”, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (1) OF 2026, PG.1191-1202, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

ABSTRACT

The Maharashtra–Karnataka border conflict offers a significant case study of how federalism can both unify and divide a diverse nation, particularly when territorial boundaries and state identities are contested. The dispute centers on Belagavi, a region with substantial Marathi- and Kannada-speaking populations, and dates back to the linguistic reorganization of states in 1956. Both Maharashtra and Karnataka claim the area based on historical, cultural, and linguistic ties, leading to decades of political disagreement, public protests, and legal battles. Despite interventions by the central government and proceedings before the Supreme Court of India, the matter remains unresolved, reflecting the persistence of regional aspirations within a constitutional framework. This prolonged conflict highlights the structural and political challenges inherent in managing interstate disputes within India’s federal system, where identity politics and constitutional boundaries often intersect. The primary research question examines the underlying causes of this enduring dispute and evaluates how federal institutions can more effectively address such tensions. The central hypothesis proposes that strengthening mechanisms of cooperative federalism—particularly by enhancing structured dialogue between states and empowering bodies such as the Inter-State Council—could facilitate a more balanced and durable resolution. Reforms may include clearer constitutional guidelines for territorial disputes, institutionalized negotiation frameworks, and more transparent decision-making processes. This study therefore seeks to critically assess the limitations of the existing federal structure and propose practical reforms to prevent similar conflicts, contributing to a deeper understanding of federalism’s capacity to manage complex regional disputes.

Keywords: Belagavi, Federalism, Federal Institutions, Interstate Dispute, Legal Challenges, Linguistic Identity, Reorganization Act, Political Tension, Territorial claims.