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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Crypto-Christians' misusing reserved status will pay: CM
Mumbai: CM Devendra Fadnavis warned of strict action against those exploiting their official Hindu and reserved caste status to gain educational, job and poll benefits while secretly practising the Christian faith. Dubbing them as 'crypto-Christians', he warned that state govt will take legal action besides revoking their caste/validity certificate, reports Somit Sen. He was replying in the legislative council to a calling attention motion by BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, who said some 'crypto-Christians' primarily belong to SC/ST, Nomadic and Denotified Tribes, but secretly adopt the Christian faith, observing its customs and traditions, and their true religion is revealed during their funerals. Fadnavis also hinted at state govt working on an anti-conversion bill in a move that is aimed at strengthening the existing laws. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe said on Thursday that some 'Crypto-Christians' observe Christian customs and traditions in a concealed manner, and their true religion is revealed during funerals. "This practice is particularly prevalent in districts like Nandurbar, Sangli and Ahmednagar. Due to their deceit and dishonesty, truly deserving and marginalised groups are deprived of reservation benefits and govt facilities," the MLC said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Fadnavis, in his reply, said Gorkhe had taken up an important issue. "According to a Supreme Court judgment, it is clear that SC category reservation can be availed only by Hindus and possibly religions closely aligned with Hindus like Sikhism and Buddhism, but not by those belonging to other religions. If we come across any violation of the apex court order, the person will face strict punishment and his or her validity/caste certificate will be cancelled," he warned. The CM further stated, "If somebody has got a govt job using this modus, there will be departmental action apart from the caste certificate being revoked. At the same time, stringent action will be initiated against anyone using this modus to contest elections." Hinting at the state govt working on an anti-conversion bill, Fadnavis said a committee under the state director general of police has already submitted its report and a decision will soon be taken by govt to add teeth to existing laws. He, however, added the govt has no intention of banning religious conversions that take place willfully. Earlier on Monday, minister of state for home Pankaj Bhoyar said that Maharashtra would bring in the anti-conversion bill by the next assembly session towards the year end. He was responding to a calling attention motion by MLC Uma Khapre in connection with a case of alleged religious conversions at an orphanage in the state. "Any kind of forced conversions will not be allowed in the state. We are having a high-level committee probe the matter and come out with a report in the coming months, and the state will subsequently work on the anti-conversion bill which will be tabled in the next assembly session (winter session)," he said. "If anybody is forced, cheated or offered any kind of enticement for religious conversion, then the law will not permit it," the CM said.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pimpri-Chinchwad development plan favours builders: MLC Amit Gorkhe
The newly proposed Development Plan (DP) for Pimpri Chinchwad has come under sharp criticism in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. MLC, Amit Gorkhe, on Wednesday during the ongoing session, strongly demanded the immediate cancellation of the plan, claiming it is designed to benefit builders at the cost of ordinary citizens. Gorkhe pointed out that the previous development plan from 1997 had seen only 50 per cent implementation. Despite this, a new DP has been drafted without any meaningful study or public consultation. (HT PHOTO) Gorkhe stated the DP is a 'well-planned conspiracy against the people' and urged the government to order a high-level probe into the role of officials and consultants involved in drafting the plan. Gorkhe pointed out that the previous development plan from 1997 had seen only 50 per cent implementation. Despite this, a new DP has been drafted without any meaningful study or public consultation. 'The new draft has deliberately kept land owned by builders free from reservations while targeting the homes of poor and middle-class citizens, many of which have been marked under various reservations. The draft has been prepared without involving the mayor, corporators, or local MLAs, and was pushed forward under administrative rule with clear political motives,' he said. Gorkhe highlighted that over 30,000 objections have been submitted against the draft DP, but the civic administration has paid little attention to them. He raised serious environmental concerns, pointing out that large green zones have been arbitrarily converted into residential zones, putting the ecological balance of the city at risk. Furthermore, he questioned the credibility of the Geographic Information System (GIS)-based survey conducted by HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd., and accused the agency of doing a shoddy job. Gorkhe also pointed out cases where the municipal corporation granted construction permissions for buildings, only to later mark those same sites under reservations, calling it an outright betrayal of the people. Citing several local examples, Gorkhe said that in Charholi, hilltops have been shown as residential areas, while in Chinchwad, a burial ground has been planned adjacent to an existing settlement. In Ramnagar, the Shri Ram Temple and surrounding areas have been marked under reservation, putting many poor families at risk of displacement. He strongly objected to the reservation of land for a slaughterhouse near the pilgrimage town of Alandi, saying it hurt religious sentiments. Responding to the concerns, minister of state for urban development Madhuri Misal, assured that no injustice would be done under the new DP. 'Once the objections and suggestions have been received, the planning department will hear them. Around 30,000 objections are said to have been received against the DP. All these objections will be heard by the planning department and go through them. The planning department can suggest changes in the DP and later send it to the government,' she said. Misal further added, 'Even the government has the power to make amendments to the DP. The final decision is taken by the government and the chief minister, and they have the power to make changes if there is injustice or the DP is wrong.'
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
If unsalvageable, PCMC draft DP could be cancelled, Madhuri Misal tells MLCs
1 2 3 Pune: Urban development minister of state Madhuri Misal on Wednesday said state govt could cancel the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)'s draft development plan (DP) if it's deemed beyond rectification. She was responding to concerns raised by MLCs from both the ruling alliance and opposition during the assembly session, who demanded the draft's scrapping. The MLCs criticised the planning committee for incorrectly marking reservations in the draft DP, potentially affecting many residents. BJP's Amit Gorkhe highlighted issues like reservations for public amenities being placed over existing residential buildings, roads being planned through densely populated areas and the draft's failure to consider flood lines and restricted zones. "Over 30,000 people have already filed their objections against the draft DP and many have also organised protests against it. Hence, it must be scrapped," Gorkhe said. BJP MLC Shrikant Bharaitya said CM Devendra Fadnavis had to personally intervene and cancel the reservation for a proposed slaughterhouse near the Alandi temple, which indicated that the entire draft DP was flawed and should be scrapped. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sachin Ahir and BJP's Uma Khapre also called on state govt to cancel the draft. Ahir said the scientific methods used in preparing the draft appeared to be faulty, resulting in numerous incorrect reservations. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Congress MLC Satej Patil, however, argued that govt should focus on making the necessary corrections to the current draft, as preparing a new DP would delay development work in the area further. Responding to the concerns raised by the MLCs, Misal clarified that the draft DP was still in the objection and suggestion stage. She said the planning committee would hold hearings before sending it for final approval. She emphasised that both the CM and state govt have the authority to make necessary changes before the draft's final approval. "We will ensure that no injustice is done to any citizen while finalising the draft. If significant errors are found, such as those originating from the initial survey, the CM has the power to cancel the draft," she said. "If we are unable to correct it despite making necessary changes, the draft can be scrapped, just as the PMRDA draft DP was cancelled earlier. It would not be appropriate to cancel it before the hearing process is over," she added. PCMC published the draft in May, allowing citizens to file their objections till July 14.
Deccan Herald
25-04-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Pregnant woman's death in Pune highlighted discrepancies in public healthcare system: Ajit Pawar
Tanisha Bhise, the wife of the private secretary of BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, was refused admission over non-payment of a deposit of Rs 10 lakh in the last week of March. She died in another hospital after giving birth to twin daughters.
