Latest news with #GopichandPadalkar
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Evening news wrap: Shiv Sena (UBT) workers assault auto driver; BJP leader shot dead in Bihar, and more
. A video of Shiv Sena (UBT) workers slapping an auto driver in Virar over alleged 'anti-Marathi' remarks has gone viral. In Bihar, a BJP leader was shot dead days after a Patna businessman's killing. The FBI in the US arrested eight Indian-origin men, including a BKI-linked fugitive, in a gang crackdown. In Mumbai, Christians protested after BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar allegedly offered a bounty on priests. Meanwhile, a Punjab intelligence constable remains missing, with his blood-stained car found in Patiala. Here are top five stories of the evening Auto driver slapped by Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Virar over 'anti-Marathi' remarks; apologises later A video purportedly showing workers of the Shiv Sena (UBT) assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra 's Palghar district has gone viral. In the video, a group of Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, including women, are seen slapping the driver on a busy road. The driver is then made to publicly apologise to a man and his sister — with whom he had allegedly misbehaved earlier — and to the state for allegedly insulting its language, culture, and icons. Read full story Another Bihar shocker: BJP leader shot dead; week after bizman Gopal Khemka's murder A local BJP leader has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Bihar's Sheikhpura village, a week after the killing of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The victim, Surendra Kewat, 52, was a former president of the BJP Kisan Morcha in Punpun. He was reportedly irrigating his field near the Bihta–Sarmera State Highway-78 on Saturday night when he was attacked. Read full story B KI-linked Batala among 8 Indian-origin men arrested in FBI crackdown on gang violence; assault rifle, hundreds of bullets and magazines seized FBI has arrested Pavittar Singh Batala, a most-wanted fugitive from India, in California as part of its operation against organised crime. Batala, who is linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had an Interpol Red Corner Notice against him. He was arrested, along with seven others, and a cache of arms and ammunition seized from them. Read full story 'Rs 3 lakh to Rs 11 lakh': Protest in Mumbai after BJP MLA offers bounty on priests; demands suspension Thousands from the Christian community participated in a daylong sit-in at Azad Maidan on Friday, protesting threats issued by the BJP MLA from Sangli, Gopichand Padalkar. The MLA in a public speech on June 17 had allegedly offered a bounty ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 11 lakh for acts of violence against Christian priests and missionaries engaging in "forceful conversions". Read full story Bloodstained car, no trace of owner: Punjab Police intel department constable missing for 4 days; massive search operation on A Punjab Police constable with the state intelligence department has been missing since Tuesday night, triggering a massive search operation, especially after his car was found with bloodstains inside it near Bhanra village of Patiala. Satinder Singh last contacted his family at 9 pm on Tuesday, shortly after he left his office in Mohali for his residence in Samana, Patiala district. Read full story
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Protest after BJP MLA offers bounty on priests
Mumbai: Thousands from the Christian community participated in a daylong sit-in at Azad Maidan Friday, protesting threats issued by the BJP MLA from Sangli, Gopichand Padalkar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The MLA in a public speech on June 17 had allegedly offered a bounty ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 11 lakh for acts of violence against Christian priests and missionaries engaging in "forceful conversions". Similar dharnas and morchas are being held in several cities and districts across the state. The community is demanding Padalkar's resignation and an FIR. The archdiocese of Bombay meanwhile expressed "deep concern" over state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's proposal to enact a strict anti-conversion law. "While we respect the govt's duty to uphold public order, we firmly believe that any legislation restricting religious freedom must be carefully evaluated against India's constitutional framework. The choice of religion is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 25. We urge the Maharashtra govt to reconsider this proposal, which risks fostering division and targeting vulnerable communities," the archdiocese said in a statement Friday. In Mumbai, individuals, priests, pastors, NGOs and secular organisations came to Azad Maidan after a call by the Samast Christi Samaj. "Around 15,000 Christians from all parts of Maharashtra came. We are seeking protection from the govt and police and demanding that an FIR be registered against Padalkar," said Cyril Dara, convenor of the Samaj. Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi and Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad addressed the gathering. Gaikwad said, "People vote for you (BJP), and with this power you make such kinds of malicious comments." Samuel Salve, a pastor from Ahmednagar, said, "Today I have filed a petition against Padalkar in the high court." "We demand the suspension of Padalkar and the registration of a criminal case for hate speech," said Melwyn Fernandes, secretary of the Association of Concerned Christians. (Inputs by Bella Jaisinghani)
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Christian groups protest MLA Padalkar's comments on religious leaders
Members of the Pune Christian Forum, along with representatives from the broader Christian community, staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday outside the Pune District Collector's Office strongly condemning the anti-religious remarks made by MLA Gopichand Padalkar. According to a press note issued by the forum, the comments were made during a torch march held in Sangli (Kupwad) on June 17. Padalkar allegedly used provocative language targeting Christian religious leaders and announced monetary rewards ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 11 lakh for those who would carry out violent attacks against them. The forum described the remarks as deeply hurtful and a serious cause for concern. Protestors demanded Padalkar's immediate disqualification from his legislative post and called for a criminal case to be filed against him. The press note further called for legal action under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 192 (incitement to violence, rioting), Section 198 (disrespect by a public servant towards the law), Section 111 (abetment of criminal acts), and Section 302 (encouragement to commit murder). The forum also demanded strict action against any form of hate speech. Kivi Lydia Vito is an intern with the Indian Express.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Time of India
Contractor booked on charge of laying substandard pipeline under Mhaisal lift irrigation scheme
Kolhapur: A contractor has been booked on the charge of laying a substandard pipeline along a 3.5km stretch of the extended Mhaisal lift irrigation scheme, following a complaint by an official monitoring the project. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The extended Mhaisal lift irrigation scheme aims to supply drinking and irrigation water to about 60 villages in Jat tehsil, bordering Karnataka state. A case in this regard was registered with the Umadi police in Jat tehsil on June 6. According to the complaint, Shivshakti Construction, a Sangli-based firm run by Mohan Kalayya Jangam, allegedly cheated govt of Rs 10.59 lakh by laying inferior-quality pipelines. Officials said the contractor firm was supposed to lay 180mm diameter pipelines with a pressure strength of 6kg/cm². Residents, however, complained in Jan that cheaper material was used in the pipeline, prompting local MLA Gopichand Padalkar to raise the issue with irrigation minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who ordered a departmental inquiry in Feb. After the enquiry, it was found that the pipeline used was of pressure strength 4kg/cm². Accordingly, the irrigation officials concluded that the contractor cheated govt of Rs 10.59 lakh, which is the cost difference between the pipes of the two different pressure strengths. "We issued a notice to the contractor, who has not yet responded," assistant police inspector Sandip Kamble said. Ajinkya Bharat Jadhav, assistant executive engineer who lodged the complaint, told TOI, "The work to lay the pipeline along a 96km stretch of the project is ongoing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The contractor was hired for the entire project, of which he has completed the work on around 70km. We found the pipeline laid on a 3.5km stretch was of inferior quality than specified in the work order." A senior irrigation department official said the focus was now on completing the project. "The work started in 2022 and was supposed to get over in two years. The contractor is already facing delays in completing the project and has sought an extension again. We want the contractor to complete the work without compromising on quality. After the work is over, we can initiate the process to blacklist the contractor," the official said. State govt approved Rs 1,900 crore to lift water from the Krishna river to the border areas of Jat tehsil after the villages threatened to join Karnataka if Maharashtra govt failed to address their water woes. Maharashtra govt has reserved 7 TMC water from the Warna dam for the affected villages.
