Dipak Dalvi, voice of Marathis in Maha-K’taka border areas, passes away at 84

Kolhapur: Dipak Dalvi, head of the Madhyavarti Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti in Belgaum, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84. For over four decades, he had been at the forefront of the movement demanding the inclusion of Marathi-speaking border areas of Karnataka into Maharashtra.He was suffering from age-related ailments for some time.Following the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines, several Marathi-dominated villages, towns and cities were incorporated into Karnataka. Dalvi consistently raised the issue with Maharashtra leaders, and the matter is currently under consideration in the Supreme Court.Shubham Shelke, leader of the youth wing of the forum, confirmed Dalvi's demise. He said the veteran leader continued to spearhead the movement despite several attacks on him, remaining steadfast in the face of alleged excesses by Karnataka authorities.Shelke said fulfilling Dalvi's dream of securing justice for the Marathi-speaking population would be the true tribute to him.Dalvi was cremated at the Shahapur crematorium in Belgaum in the presence of numerous forum workers.