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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Trying to create rift': Sharad Pawar questions demand to name Pune railway station after Bajirao I
NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday waded into the debate over naming Pune railway station, saying that people were unnecessarily creating a rift among communities by raising the issue. Pawar was speaking in the backdrop of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni's recent demand that the railway station be named after Thorle Bajirao Peshwa I. Also known as Bajirao I, Thorle Bajirao Peshwa was appointed the 'peshwa' or chief minister of the Maratha confederacy from 1720 to 1740 during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu. However, Kulkarni's demand led to protests from Maratha organisations and Opposition parties. 'There was no reason to create a dispute by raising the issue now. I have not understood why there is an urge to give the name of Bajirao Peshwe. If bravery is the criterion, there are many names. Maratha king Sambhaji was known for his bravery and sacrifice,' Pawar said in Kolhapur. The NCP(SP) chief said there was no reason to raise the issue now. 'Some people only try to create a rift between different communities without any reason,' he added. Kulkarni had requested that the Indian Railways give the Peshwa's name to Pune railway station, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stand on highlighting local history in the name and planning of railway stations. The leader had never lost a battle, and such a great figure deserves the honour, she had said. However, city NCP (SP) chief Prashant Jagtap had opposed the demand, saying many historical leaders could be considered for the same honour. Meanwhile, NCP(SP) spokesperson and former city mayor Ankush Kakade said that the Pune railway station should be named after social reformer Jyotirao Phule or political and social leader Gopalkrishna Gokhale, considered to be the mentor of Mahatma Gandhi. A leader of the Maratha organisation Sambhaji Brigade, Santosh Shinde, also said that the organisations and political parties should oppose the move to name Pune railway station after Bajirao Peshwe, and suggested the names of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule instead. Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Pune had also put up flex boards against Kulkarni, following which the police had registered a case against unidentified persons. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Granting daughters a share in property could create a massive social shift: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma
Rekha Sharma, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), said apart from a change in mindset among families, women need education, equal employment opportunities, and property rights to change the lives of women in India. In an interview with Sukhbir Siwach, Sharma talks about overcoming the challenges India faces in empowering young girls and women: Rekha Sharma: The Constitution has granted equal rights to women in India, and the government is serious about women-led empowerment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced several schemes for women, including 33 per cent reservation for them in Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies. However, the greatest challenge remains the mindset, which begins within families that often discourage women from working. Women have been relegated to caregiving roles, whereas men should share those responsibilities too. When women work outside the home, men should contribute at home. This shift can only come through a change in mindset. Families must recognise equal rights for daughters and provide them with the same opportunities as sons. In the workforce, women are still underrepresented. I raised this concern at a meeting chaired by the Union Finance Minister, who spoke about policy changes aimed at increasing women's workforce participation, including provisions for crèches and maternity benefits. Sharma: Lack of awareness and the misuse of the culture's name as a justification. I once saw a video where a man claimed he had the right to beat his wife, and people in the background were clapping. That applause was even more disturbing than his statement. Their approval reflects how deeply ingrained this mindset is. Until it changes, we cannot consider women truly empowered. Sharma: They're caught between the attraction of Western values and the responsibility to preserve Indian culture. Many are uncertain about which path to follow, largely due to a lack of parental guidance. I believe guidance is essential for both girls and boys until the age of 18. We need to uphold Indian values, but also recognise the strengths of developed countries, such as independence and decision-making skills. Sharma: This is a major issue. Daughters have equal property rights under the law, just like sons, but it must be enforced by families. Too often, property is reserved for sons, and daughters are offered dowries instead. Nearly two-thirds of women work in agriculture, yet the land isn't in their names. Equal property rights would offer women a sense of security. A woman who owns property is less likely to endure domestic violence, because her husband knows she has a place to go. Many women stay in abusive homes simply because they have nowhere else. Granting daughters a share in property could create a massive social shift. Sharma: Education, equal employment opportunities, and property rights. Education is crucial — without it, women won't even be aware of their property rights. It's the foundation for accessing opportunities of any kind. Sharma: They should aim to become financially independent and make their own life decisions. Even if they make mistakes, they'll learn and grow. Life should be lived on one's own terms. Sharma: The BJP supports legal provisions that promote gender equality. Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly spoken in favour of equal property rights for daughters. This is the party's official stance. While daughters automatically inherit ancestral property, in the case of self-earned property, the father must explicitly mention the daughter in his will. Sukhbir Siwach's extensive and in-depth coverage of farmer agitation against three farm laws during 2020-21 drew widespread attention. ... Read More
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP MP Medha Kulkarni demands Pune railway station be named after warrior Bajirao Peshwa
Written by Aryesh Chakraborty, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni has proposed to rename Pune Railway Station after Thorle Bajirao Peshwa, one of the celebrated warriors in Maratha history. She raised the demand during a meeting of the Pune and Solapur railway division officers held in Pune on Monday. 'All over India, places from airports to railway stations and roads- are being renamed after historical figures. Similarly, renaming the Pune railway station after Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa will ignite the pride of Maratha heritage in Maharashtra,' she told The Indian Express on Tuesday. Also known as Bajirao I, Thorle Bajirao Peshwa was appointed the 'peshwa' or chief minister of the Maratha confederacy from 1720 to 1740 during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu. According to her, a formal proposal for the renaming of the railway station has already been submitted to the Maharashtra government. Kulkarni emphasised that the objective behind such renaming efforts is to reflect the local history of the area. She pointed to previous examples, including the renaming of Pune University to Savitribai Phule Pune University and Pune International Airport being renamed to Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport. 'Just like that, the Pune railway station is to be named after Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa, who has been a crucial part of Maratha history,' she added. The MP also mentioned that various local associations and trusts have expressed their support for the proposal. 'A lot of Sanstha (associations) and Pratishthan (establishments) have sent me letters about the renaming. Recently, when the Chief Minister of Maharashtra visited, such letters were also sent to him. In this review meeting, I proposed it finally for the people,' Kulkarni said. Highlighting the absence of any major public space named after Thorle Bajirao Peshwa, Kulkarni said, 'It is the demand of the people not only in Pune but across Maharashtra. There is not a single place that is named after Thorle Bajirao Peshwa.' However, RTI and anti-corruption activist Vijay Kumbhar has opposed the proposal, questioning the practical benefit of such a move. 'I would like to ask if people are really getting any help from this? Are the people of Maharashtra benefiting from it? Are any 'sevas' being provided to the poor?' Kumbhar told The Indian Express. He stressed that his objection was not about the name or the legacy of Bajirao Peshwa, but the priorities. 'If the Pune station already has a name, then why change it? I have immense admiration for Thorle Bajirao Peshwa and other warriors. But instead of renaming, why not allocate funds to create something new in their names, like institutions or help centers that can serve the people?' He questioned the logic behind the repeated renaming of public places, and called it a mere 'publicity stunt.' 'Would the railway system go through better changes after the renaming? If you ask me, I would say no. So what's the use? Rather than changing names, the focus should be on benefiting people,' he said. (Aryesh Chakraborty is an intern with The Indian Express)
News18
24-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
BJP MP Demands Renaming Of Pune Railway Station After Thorle Bajirao, NCP (SP) Objects
Last Updated: Medha Kulkarni argued that several organisations had submitted demands for renaming the station after Bajirao Peshwa, noting that Bajirao extended the Hindavi Swarajya. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni has demanded to rename the Pune Railway Station after Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa, the 7th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. The demand was raised during a meeting convened by the Pune Railway Division to discuss issues concerning the Pune and Solapur region on Monday. During the meeting, she emphasised that the upcoming redevelopment of the railway station should reflect Pune's historical legacy. Kulkarni argued that several organisations had submitted demands for renaming the station after Bajirao Peshwa, noting that Bajirao extended the Hindavi Swarajya from Attock to Cuttack and that his military legacy continues to inspire even modern defence academies like NDA. She further said that the central government also favour reflecting local history through public spaces such as railway stations. 'There is no representation of Pune's rich history at the station. I demand that it be renamed after Thorle Bajirao Peshwa," she said as per the media reports. #WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: BJP MP Medha Kulkarni demands renaming the Pune station. She says, 'There are a few demands regarding the Pune railway station… Pune is considered the educational and IT hub. Despite being a city of such importance, the current situation of the… — ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2025 Kulkarni further strongly criticised Pune's poor railway infrastructure, highlighting the need for urgent improvements to match the city's stature as an educational and IT hub. While speaking to the media, Kulkarni raised her demands, saying, 'There are a few demands regarding the Pune railway station… Pune is considered the educational and IT hub. Despite being a city of such importance, the current situation of the station is very miserable; it should be improved." She also raised the issue of poor connectivity from major cities like Nasik and Badalpur. 'Rajdhani Express should also be connected through Pune; be it the Delhi to Hyderabad Express or the Bengaluru to Delhi Express, it should go through Pune." She underlined the need for improved connectivity, especially in the wake of the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nasik. She said, 'Cities like Nasik and Badlapur don't have much connectivity, and for the upcoming Kumbh in Nasik, there is no train from Pune to Nasik." The Kumbh Mela, expected to draw millions of pilgrims, increases the urgency for better transport links. However, the demand to rename the railway station was met with objection from Nationalist Congress Party (SP) spokesperson and former mayor Ankush Kakade. 'We are not in favour of changing the name of Pune Railway Station, which has a long history. If the central government insists on renaming, they should also consider names like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule or Gopal Krishna Gokhale, along with Bajirao Peshwa," Kakade said. Additionally, RPI leader Sachin Kharaat opposed to naming the station after Bajirao and demanded to rename the station after social activist Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. 'We reject any attempt to glorify modern Peshwai. It was Mahatma Phule who discovered Shivaji Maharaj's tomb and initiated the tradition of celebrating his birth anniversary. Pune is known as the seat of knowledge because of Phule's contributions. The station should bear his name," he said as quoted by media reports. First Published: June 24, 2025, 10:58 IST
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rajya Sabha member exposes bribe-taking by Class II officer
Rajkot: BJP Rajya Sabha member Ram Mokariya exposed corruption in the administration, issuing a press release about a Class II officer of the weights and measures department taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 from a trader, despite Mokariya asking the officer not to harass the trader. He also appealed to citizens to contact him if a govt officer demands a bribe. The weights and measures department is a part of the controller of legal metrology, under the director of consumer affairs, in the state govt's food, civil supplies, and consumer affairs department. In a press statement, Mokariya said, "An officer from a govt department located on University Road raided a unit on the outskirts of the city. He made a settlement for the alleged irregularity, collected a fine, and also took Rs 25,000 as a part of the 'settlement'. " He added, "The owner of the unit informed me about this. I reprimanded the officer who took the bribe, and the officer returned the money to the unit owner in 10 minutes." Speaking to TOI, Mokariya said, "It was a Class II officer of the weights and measures department. I informed the minister of the department concerned and superior officers of anti-corruption bureau (ACB) about this incident." He said that he received a call from the industrialist saying officials arrived to raid his unit. "I told the unit owner to pass the phone to the officer. I told the officer to impose the legal fine if the unit owner is at fault but not to harass him. The officer took the official fine of Rs 12,000 from him and issued a receipt for it, while also taking Rs 25,000 in cash. The unit owner called me after the officer left," Mokariya said, adding, "I then called that officer and told him to return the money, which he did. " Mokariya appealed to citizens to not tolerate corruption and to inform representatives or the ACB if anyone demands a bribe, and to not encourage these kinds of officers.
