'Countries Looking For...': India's BIG BRICS Currency Move Amid Trump's Tariff Threats
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has openly criticized his own government over the denial of permission for a Marathi rally in Mira Road. Sarnaik joined the MNS-led protest and challenged the police to arrest him. The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and other groups had applied for the rally but were refused permission due to public safety and traffic concerns. This followed a viral video showing MNS workers slapping a food stall owner over a language dispute. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the MNS for defying police orders, urging all groups to follow democratic procedures. On July 8, MNS supporters resisted police, leading to several detentions, including party leader Avinash Jadhav.#pratapsarnaik #miraroad #mnsprotest #maharashtrapolitics #languagedispute #avinashjadhav #devendrafadnavis #marathipride #policedetention #toi #toibharat
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The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Not against Hindi, but against forced imposition: Raj Thackeray
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday warned the Maharashtra government against imposing Hindi in primary schools (from classes 1 to 5) and threatened to shut down schools if the policy was enforced. He said he was not against any language but would not tolerate compulsion, calling the move an attack on Marathi identity. Referring to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's latest statement that Hindi would be taught in State schools at any cost, Mr. Thackeray emphasised that everyone living in Maharashtra must learn Marathi. He urged citizens to remain vigilant against what he called an attempt to impose Hindi under the guise of educational reform. Editorial | Language of unity: On Maharashtra and the issue of Hindi 'When they tried to enforce it earlier, we shut down shops. If you [CM] try again to impose Hindi on our schools, we won't just shut shops — we'll shut down schools. I will not make any compromises over Marathi and the people of Maharashtra. Those who live in Maharashtra, to them I would like to say, 'learn Marathi as soon as possible, wherever you go, speak Marathi'.' The comments came in the wake of the BJP-led State government's controversial policy decision — since rolled back — that would have made Hindi mandatory in primary schools. The move drew sharp resistance from regional parties, including the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT). Though the government has since revoked the two government resolutions, Mr. Fadnavis recently asserted that the three-language formula would still be implemented, with a committee now tasked with deciding the grade level at which Hindi would be introduced. 'Loses identity' Addressing a rally in Mira Bhayandar, Mr. Thackeray said: 'I can speak better Hindi than most politicians in Maharashtra. My father was fluent in it. I am not against any language, but I am against its forced imposition. There is no harm in learning a regional language. There are so many languages in this country, such as Maithili, etc. By imposing Hindi, the regional languages dies eventually and loses its identity, which is the case already in many Hindi speaking States.' The MNS chief accused the BJP of using Hindutva as a cover to promote Hindi dominance, stating, 'This is not nationalism; it is linguistic domination under the garb of religion.' Calling it 'unfortunate' that the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was advocating for compulsory Hindi, Mr. Thackeray questioned the intent behind the move. 'This is not just about language. They are testing the waters. Their long-term goal is to sever Mumbai from Maharashtra and merge it with Gujarat,' he alleged. The MNS chief emphasised the cultural depth of Marathi, claiming it has a 2,500 to 3,000-year-old legacy, compared to Hindi, which he called 'just 200 years old.' He said the government's actions were an affront to Marathi identity and pride. He also referred to historical figures such as Morarji Desai and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, alleging that they held anti-Marathi views after Independence, and urged Maharashtrians to assert themselves by speaking in Marathi in all public and official spaces. 'Wherever you go in Maharashtra, speak in Marathi — and make others speak it too,' he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP Godda (Jharkhand) MP's threat that 'Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak patak ke maarenge' [We will thrash Marathi people in our region], Mr. Thackeray strongly retaliated and said, 'I dare you come to Mumbai, and 'Mumbai ke samundar mein hum dubo dubo ke maarenge' [we will drown you in Mumbai's sea].' The rally, which comes days after MNS workers roughed up a shopkeeper for refusing to speak in Marathi, reflects rising tensions over language politics in the State and signals the party's intent to position itself at the forefront of the Marathi pride movement ahead of upcoming political battles.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
45 yrs on, Kalasa-Banduri remains distant dream for farmers
Dharwad: It has been 45 years since the farmers in Nargund and Navalgund taluks launched a fierce agitation for fulfilment of their demands but the issues for which they were agitating remain unsolved. It was on July 21, 1980 that four people, two farmers and two policemen, died in the agitation that turned violent and led to police firing at Nargund and Navalgund which were then in Dharwad district. Every year, July 21 is observed as Farmer Martyrs' Day, and farmers' leaders and leaders of political parties have made it customary to garland the Martyr Memorials and pay tributes to the farmers who have lost their lives. The occasion has also provided an opportunity to the opposition parties to attack the ruling party for "neglecting the farmers" while for the ruling party it has been an occasion to reiterate its commitment to the cause of farmers. In 1980, the farmers had revolted against the government protesting forcible collection of betterment levy at a time when they were reeling under severe drought. Their argument was that the benefits of the Malaprabha irrigation project had not reached majority of the farmers due to faulty planning and collection of levies from the non-beneficiaries was unjustified. The agitation had also paved the way for the first non-Congress government in Karnataka with Ramakrishna Hegde-led Janata Party taking over the reins. Karnataka decided to implement a project to divert its share of Mahadayi River water to Malaprabha River through Kalasa-Banduri Nala project to overcome the water woes and it has faced several legal hurdles with riparian states Goa and Maharashtra raising objections. What is the project The Kalasa Banduri Nala project envisages diverting water from Kalasa, Banduri, Halatar, Chorla, Potla, Korla and Gurki streams to Malaprabha and provide irrigation and supply of drinking water to Savadatti, Ramadurg taluks on Belgaum district, Navalgund in Dharwad district, Ron and Naragund in Gadag district and Badami in Bagalkot district. The water from Kalasa Banduri nalas flows into River Mahadayi which takes birth near Kanakumbi village in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district in Karnataka. After flowing for 29km in Karnataka, it enters Goa where it is called Mandovi. After flowing across 54km in Goa territory, the river joins Arabian Sea. Solution soon Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal has given its verdict on sharing of Mahadayi water but it has been challenged by both Goa and Karnataka. Union minister Pralhad Joshi told TOI that the Goa Wildlife Board has issued an order not to take up any work on diverting Mahadayi water to Malaprabha and Karnataka has challenged this in Supreme Court. Legal experts have advised Karnataka to withdraw the petition filed in SC and challenge Goa Wildlife Board's order in High Court and get it quashed. "We will get the things cleared soon and ensure that the work on Kalasa-Banduri Project resumes," Joshi said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rajnath, Shah & others meet to finalise Parliament strategy
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