Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday expressed concerns over the alleged suppression of Marathi-speaking people in Belagavi, Karnataka, demanding that the region be granted Union Territory status. Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Thackeray criticised the situation in Belagavi while noting the ongoing celebrations in Maharashtra over the formation of the new government.

Thackeray drew attention to the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti's opposition to the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly, which began on Monday in Belagavi. The organisation, which campaigns for Belagavi's merger with Maharashtra, faced restrictions from the Karnataka government. As per PTI reports, the gathering organised by the Samiti was allegedly prohibited, and leaders from Maharashtra were banned from entering the state.