Opposition stages protest against MLC's remarks linking 'urban Naxals' to wari pilgrimage
The protesters, including Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, held copies of the Constitution and shouted slogans criticising the government for allegedly defaming the religious tradition.
They accused the government of promoting superstition and dividing the society by targeting devotees who participate in the holy Ashadhi wari annual pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur.
Kayande's remarks were unfounded, misleading and an attempt to politicise the spiritual journey undertaken by lakhs of 'warkaris' (devotees of Lord Vitthal) every year, they claimed.
The opposition leaders alleged that such remarks were an attempt to create discord and insult the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual tradition of the wari.
"This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government should immediately withdraw the remarks and apologise to the warkari community," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Danve said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
MNS chief Raj Thackeray visits Matoshree after years on cousin Uddhav Thackeray's birthday, calls him 'Shiv Sena chief'
MNS chief Raj Thackeray visits Matoshree after years on cousin Uddhav Thackeray's birthday, calls him 'Shiv Sena chief' MUMBAI/NAGPUR: Amid speculation about an alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS for the civic polls, Raj Thackeray made a rare visit to Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray's residence, to wish his "big brother" on his 65th birthday. Uddhav welcomed Raj with a hug, while the latter presented him a bouquet of red roses. After the courtesies, the cousins spoke for close to 20 minutes. Raj also paid tributes to his late uncle Bal Thackeray's memorial chair on the first floor at Matoshree. Since parting ways with Shiv Sena two decades ago, Raj has visited Matoshree just a couple of times, the last time in 2019 to invite Uddhav to his son's wedding. In what's seen as a snub to deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Raj later referred to Uddhav as "Shiv Sena chief" on X. While political observers said the two cousins meeting second time in less than a month is an indication of a political reunion for the local body polls slated for Nov-Dec, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis downplayed it, terming the visit purely personal. "Raj Thackeray met Uddhav on account of his birthday. I don't think one should see a political angle in everything," said Fadnavis, while speaking to reporters in Nagpur. Responding to an earlier remark on the possibility of the alliance by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut that "whatever is in the mind of Maharashtra will ultimately happen", Fadnavis said, "I feel there is something only in the mind of certain leaders. Else, what's in the mind of Maharashtra we got to know during [assembly] polls." Speaking briefly to the media after Raj's visit, Uddhav appeared visibly emotional. "I am very happy. I am overwhelmed...," he said, declining to elaborate. Later, Raj said in a post on X: "On the occasion of my big brother, Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray's birthday, I visited Matoshree, the residence of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, to extend my best wishes." Raj's reference to Uddhav as Shiv Sena chief was also a snub to deputy chief minister Ekanth Shinde, who is president of the Shiv Sena officially recognised by the Election Commission (EC) after the party split. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and MLC Ambadas Danve and MNS netas Bala Nandgaonkar and Nitin Sardesai were among those present during Raj's visit to Matoshree, which was decked up with flowers and banners to mark Uddhav's birthday. At midnight, Uddhav cut a cake with wife Rashmi and son Aaditya amid sloganeering in a room packed with Sainiks. "All together, No problem at all!" Raut said in a post on X, sharing a group photo with Raj and Uddhav. "Both the brothers did it without saying a word. This is the beginning of the future. This incident united the divided Maharashtra, there cannot be a happier day like today. Therefore, today is a day of joy and inspiration for the Marathi people," Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said. Political observers said Raj's visit to Matoshree was a reciprocal step to Uddhav's comments that the two cousins had "come together to be together" during the July 5 'victory rally' in Mumbai after state govt withdrew its decision to introduce Hindi from classes 1 to 5. "At the July 5 rally itself Uddhav had said that the two cousins have come together to stay together. Later too, Uddhav made it clear that an alliance was on the cards in his interviews and speeches. So, Raj seems to have taken a step forward by visiting him," said a political observer. "Raj going to Matoshree also has sentimental value for Shiv Sainiks; it is a kind of homecoming. In fact, it has more optical and sentimental value than the two cousins coming together at the rally at Worli's NSCI Dome. In the minds of the Sainiks, Matoshree has sanctity and Raj going there is also an acceptance on his part of Uddhav as a big brother and Sena (UBT) president. With this visit, Raj has kept the momentum alive and not let the curiosity of the reunion die down after the Hindi imposition issue."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
HC asks mining secy to file personal affidavit to PIL in illegal mining case
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court directed the Secretary of the Mining Department to file a personal affidavit in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning illegal stone mining on govt land. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The mining allegedly was ongoing for years. The directive came during the hearing of a PIL filed by Kholbahara, son of a former Sarpanch, through counsel Yogesh Chandra. The petition alleges that Rajeshwar Sahu, son of former Sarpanch, and others were illegally mining minor minerals (stone) on govt land at Khasra No. 16/1, with an area of 14.2 hectares, in Nandeli village, Jaijaipur tehsil, Sakti district. Villagers repeatedly complained to the district and tehsil administrations about the illegal activity. Following a lack of action, Kholbahara previously filed a writ petition. While an initial notice was issued, the court dismissed the petition on June 30, 2025, stating that the petitioner was not personally affected and the matter pertained to public interest. The court granted liberty to file a PIL. The current PIL was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution through counsel Chandra. A division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Vibhu Dutt Guru heard the matter. The petitioner's counsel informed the court that the respondents were gradually filling the site after receiving the court's notice, stressing the need for action. The Advocate General sought time to file a response in the case, which the court granted. Chief Justice Sinha instructed the Secretary of the Mining Department to submit a personal affidavit in the matter.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Shabbir calls for Bahujan unity
Hyderabad: State govt advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Sunday called upon the Bahujan communities to stand strongly in support of the Congress to save the Constitution from the efforts being made to allegedly change it on the lines of 'Manusmriti'. Addressing the 'Bahujan Alai-Balai' programme in Kamareddy organised by the All India Ambedkar Yuvajana Sangham, he said it is the foremost responsibility of the Bahujan samaj to protect the Constitution. The BJP's slogan of 'Ab ki baar 400 paar' was countered by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. "Those trying to change the Constitution and bring in 'Manusmriti' will not succeed as long as the Congress is there and Bahujans stand behind the party. For the first time in the country, the Congress govt is going to implement 42% BC reservations in the local bodies," he said. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He urged the Bahujan communities to unite in the upcoming local elections. "Let us all stand together and support the Congress. Show your strength by ensuring the victory of the Congress-supported candidates," he said.
