Maharashtra Suspends Bus Services to Karnataka After Violent Attack on MSRTC Bus Near Belagavi

Tensions between Maharashtra and Karnataka escalated this weekend as Maharashtra suspended all state-run bus services to its neighboring state. The decision came after a shocking attack on a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus near Belagavi, leaving authorities and passengers on edge. Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the suspension on Saturday, calling it a necessary step to ensure safety.

The incident occurred late Friday night in Chitradurga, Karnataka. An MSRTC bus traveling from Bengaluru to Mumbai was ambushed by a group of pro-Kannada activists. According to Sarnaik, the attackers didn’t just stop at damaging the vehicle—they blackened the face of the driver, Bhaskar Jadhav, and physically assaulted him. The violent act has sparked outrage and raised questions about cross-border relations.

The bus, part of MSRTC’s regular fleet, had just passed Chitradurga around 9:10 PM when the group struck. Reports suggest the activists were upset over ongoing language and border disputes between the two states. Bhaskar Jadhav, the driver, bore the brunt of their anger. After the assault, he was left shaken but received medical attention and is now safe. A police case has been filed in Karnataka, though no official statement from the state government has been released yet.

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Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik didn’t mince words when addressing the incident. “This is unacceptable,” he said. “Bus services to Karnataka will remain suspended until the Karnataka government clarifies its position.” He emphasized that the safety of passengers and MSRTC employees is the top priority. The suspension affects routes from Kolhapur and other key areas, halting dozens of daily trips indefinitely.

Abhijit Bhosale, MSRTC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, backed the minister’s stance. “Following Transport Minister Sarnaik’s orders, we’ve canceled all ST buses from Kolhapur to Karnataka for now,” he said. “We can’t risk the lives of our passengers or staff.” This move disrupts travel for thousands who rely on these buses to cross state lines for work, family, or other needs.

This isn’t an isolated event. Just hours earlier on Friday, a Karnataka bus conductor was allegedly attacked near Belagavi for not speaking Marathi, hinting at simmering regional tensions. Belagavi, a border district with a large Marathi-speaking population, has long been a flashpoint in the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute. Pro-Kannada and pro-Marathi groups have clashed before, but this latest violence has taken things to a new level.

The suspension leaves commuters in a bind. MSRTC operates around 90 buses daily from Kolhapur to Karnataka, connecting towns like Belagavi and Chikkodi. With no timeline for resumption, travelers are scrambling for alternatives like private buses or trains, which may not be as affordable or frequent. “I don’t know how I’ll get to work now,” said one regular passenger. “This is a big problem for us.”