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New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC certificates of anyone other than Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs will be cancelled: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Fadnavis said that the Supreme Court, on November 26, 2024, gave a verdict in which it made it clear that the Scheduled Castes category reservation can be availed only by Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, and not by those belonging to other religions. "If anyone from religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has availed an SC certificate or reservation, their validity certificates and caste certificates will be cancelled with due procedure. If anyone has availed benefits like government jobs, action will be taken against them," he said. "Recovery (of monetary benefits) will be recommended from those who have availed benefits using fraudulently obtained caste certificates," he said. BJP leader Chitra Wagh said there have been cases where women were duped into marriage by hiding the husband's religion. She cited a case in Sangli where a woman married into a family which secretly followed Christianity. The woman suffered torture and was forced to change her religion, leading to her death while she was seven months pregnant, Wagh said. A person can follow any religion and convert another person with consent, but law does not permit the use of force, cheating or enticement for conversion, the chief minister said. "Complaints of coercion or inducement for conversion will lead to investigation and action against the concerned organisation," Fadnavis added. The state government had formed a panel headed by the Director General of Police (DGP) to make recommendations to deal with such cases, and it has submitted its report, he said. The government will study it and bring in new (legal) provisions so that conversions do not happen by force or cheating, he said. "Action can be taken under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in such cases. But a panel was formed to suggest strict provisions. The state government intends to bring in strong provisions to deal with such cases, and we will take a decision on this soon," he said.
News18
07-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Are Pigeons Making You Sick? Why Mumbai Is Closing All 51 'Kabootar Khanas'
Last Updated: While often seen as harmless, pigeons can carry and transmit several zoonotic diseases, those that can jump from animals to humans, through their droppings, feathers, or mites The Maharashtra government has ordered the immediate shutdown of all 51 'Kabootar Khanas' (designated feeding zones for pigeons) across Mumbai, citing serious public health risks associated with pigeon droppings and feathers. The move comes following a heated debate in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, where multiple lawmakers warned of the dangers posed by continued pigeon feeding in public spaces. Raising the issue on Thursday, July 3, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Manisha Kayande described the city's kabootar khanas as a public health menace, stating that footpaths had turned into pigeon nests. 'Their droppings and feathers are a direct threat to residents' respiratory health," she said. She cited a study published in the Indian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, which links exposure to pigeon feces with severe lung diseases. Supporting her claim, BJP MLC Chitra Wagh added an emotional appeal, revealing that her own aunt died due to a respiratory illness allegedly caused by long-term exposure to pigeon droppings. Responding on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Uday Samant confirmed the government's decision. 'There are 51 'kabootar khanas' in the city. The civic body will be asked to start (an awareness) drive against 'kabootar khanas' within a month. Directions will be issued to the BMC to immediately start the process of shutting 'kabootar khanas'," he told the House. He added that unauthorised feeding zones have already been dismantled in areas like Santacruz East, Daulat Nagar, and Santacruz West. In their place, the BMC has developed traffic islands and Miyawaki-style micro-forests. kabootar khana, which was shut for two days but reopened following public outcry and spontaneous feeding activity by residents. The minister also noted bizarre trends in feeding patterns. At Girgaon Chowpatty, some pigeons have even developed a taste for pizza and burgers, he said, highlighting how human interference has altered their natural behaviour. What Makes Pigeons Dangerous? While often seen as harmless urban wildlife, pigeons can carry and transmit several zoonotic diseases, those that can jump from animals to humans, through their droppings, feathers, or mites. These include: Histoplasmosis: A fungal lung infection caused by inhaling spores from dried pigeon droppings. Cryptococcosis: Another fungal disease affecting lungs or the central nervous system. Psittacosis (Parrot Fever): A bacterial infection that can cause severe flu-like symptoms and pneumonia. Salmonellosis: Caused when pigeon droppings contaminate food or surfaces with Salmonella bacteria. Allergic Alveolitis (Pigeon Breeder's Lung): Chronic exposure to bird proteins can trigger serious allergic lung reactions. Parasites: Pigeons can harbour mites and ticks that transfer to humans or infest buildings. The respiratory effects can be especially severe in children, the elderly, or those with asthma. According to medical experts, symptoms can range from chronic coughing and shortness of breath to long-term lung damage if exposure is repeated and prolonged. Environmental Damage And Cleanup Costs Beyond human health, pigeon droppings, rich in uric acid, can corrode metal, damage buildings, statues, and even car paint. Accumulated droppings on walkways also create slipping hazards, and the cost of cleaning these areas has become a financial burden for civic authorities. Pigeon nests in ventilation systems and roof spaces further contribute to mold growth and unhygienic conditions in both residential and commercial buildings. What You Can Do If Pigeons Roost Near You Civic health experts recommend taking proactive steps to pigeon-proof homes and workplaces: Seal openings in attics, vents, and balconies to block nesting. Use spikes, nets, or sloped surfaces to deter birds from landing. Reflective materials like old CDs or rotating mirrors can help repel them. Avoid feeding pigeons directly, and clean up leftover seeds if you feed other birds. Secure garbage bins and keep pet food indoors. When cleaning droppings, always wear gloves and a mask. Moisten the droppings to prevent dust, and use disinfectant. Never vacuum dry droppings without a HEPA filter. For heavy infestations, consult professional bird-control services. Pigeon feeding is a long-standing tradition in Mumbai, associated with religious merit and community bonding. For decades, kabootar khanas have served as meeting places for the devout and the elderly. But with the rising awareness of zoonotic risks and urban sanitation, authorities appear determined to curtail the practice, despite likely opposition. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: July 07, 2025, 13:39 IST
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt to set up vigilance cells to stop illegal uterus removals among cane cutters
1 2 Pune: Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar said on Tuesday the state would set up vigilance committees to check if hospitals or doctors were performing unnecessary and illegal hysterectomies on women. The minister made the announcement after several press reports highlighted a growing number of such procedures being carried out among women sugar cane cutters in Beed. The meeting on Tuesday in Mumbai also involved state women's commission chairperson Chitra Wagh, who has urged the health department to look into the reports. Maharashtra sugar commissioner Siddharam Salimath, who too attended the meeting, said: "New SOPs will be drafted and the issue has been brought under the purview of the health department. The office of the sugar commissioner does not have any direct authority in the matter. But I have instructed all sugar mills in the state to ensure regular health checkups are carried out for cane cutters." For years, there has been concern that women cane cutters, especially in Beed district, were getting their wombs removed to not lose out on daily wages. A 2018 survey of 200 women in Beed by the Maharashtra State Commission for Women revealed that 36% of them had undergone hysterectomy. Another study in 2019 found that of 271 women, 21% had undergone hysterectomies. And both surveys found that nearly 85% of the procedures had been carried out at private hospitals. Experts said the data overall suggested hysterectomies in Beed were 14 times higher than the national average of 3.2% (in 2019). A week ago, there were more media reports alleging that a high number of hysterectomies had been carried out in 2024, to prevent women cane cutters from taking leaves during menstruation. During the meeting, Abitkar asked officials to be more vigilant and ordered the setting up of a district-level committee to monitor complaints of illegal uterus removals, said a statement late on Tuesday. A senior health department official who was part of the meeting said: "The committees at the district level will be similar to how PCPNDT committees work, to check illegal sex determination. The district-level committee will conduct random checks at private hospitals where a high number of hysterectomies have been performed. They will work like a flying squad and will review each case to check if a hysterectomy was required or not. " The official, who didn't want to be named, said such committees will be set up in nine Maharashtra districts, in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. "If any hospital is found involved in malpractice, action will be initiated under the Bombay Nursing Act," the health department official said. Dr Shilpa Naik, associate professor with Pune's BJ Medical College said early hysterectomies posed a lifetime risk for women. "An early hysterectomy means all symptoms of menopause, which are supposed to kick in later in life after the natural menopausal cycle, begin showing early. The protection a woman has thanks to her hormones will wear off too, making her more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular symptoms like strokes, genitourinary symptoms like urinary incontinence, fractures and hot flashes. The ovaries will also stop functioning 2-3 years after the hysterectomy," Dr Naik said.
United News of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP Mahila Morcha to soon organise Sindoor Yatras across Maha: women's wing chief
Mumbai, May 17 (UNI) The BJP Pradesh Mahila Morcha will soon organise Sindoor Yatras across Maharashtra, said women's wing state president Chitra Wagh on Saturday. Addressing a press conference here, she said that the (Narendra) Modi government gave a befitting reply to the attack on 26 innocent Indians in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir through Operation Sindoor. Through this operation, the Indian Army avenged the tears of our sisters whose 'sindoor' was wiped off in the Pahalgam attack. To pay tributes to the bravery of the Army personnel, the BJP Pradesh Mahila Morcha will organise Sindoor Yatras across the state, she said. Wagh thanked Prime Minister Modi for dedicating the success achieved in the operation to Indian women's power and for naming this operation Sindoor. The Indian Army has brought the image of a new India by giving a strong response to the terrorist attack, she added. UNI SP SS
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Ban Ajaz Khan's show House Arrest, it's an assault on values': Maharashtra BJP MLC Chitra Wagh
Maharashtra BJP MLC Chitra Wagh has demanded an immediate ban on actor Ajaz Khan's web show 'House Arrest,' alleging its content is obscene and harmful, especially to children. NEW DELHI: Maharashtra BJP MLC Chitra Wagh demanded an immediate ban on actor Ajaz Khan 's web show House Arrest , alleging that its content is obscene and harmful to society, especially children. She also urged Union Information and Broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take strict action against mobile applications promoting such content. 'Ajaz Khan, who calls himself an actor, has created a show called House Arrest, which is nothing but the epitome of obscenity . Clips from this show, streamed on the Ullu app, are now circulating freely on social media, and they are extremely vulgar,' Wagh said. Raising concerns about the impact of such shows on younger audiences, the legislator noted, 'Such content is now easily accessible on mobile phones of children. These kinds of programmes not only insult our culture, but also degrade the moral health of society. This is a perverse attack on the minds of the next generation.' She said creators are misusing the idea of freedom of expression to push vulgar content. 'In the name of freedom of expression, we must stop giving a free hand to obscenity. House Arrest is not merely content—it is an assault on the values of society,' she said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Calling for regulatory intervention, Wagh added, 'I appeal to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to immediately ban all apps that create and distribute such content. This show must be taken down without delay.' She asserted that urgent steps are needed to protect the cultural and psychological well-being of society. 'This is not entertainment; it is a threat to our future,' she said.
