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NDTV
01-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Uproar In Maharashtra Assembly Over 'Insult To Farmers', Nana Patole Suspended, Opposition Walks Out
Mumbai: For the second consecutive day, the Maharashtra Assembly witnessed high drama, this time over remarks deemed derogatory to farmers. On the occasion of Maharashtra Agriculture Day, senior Congress MLA and former Speaker Nana Patole launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti government, demanding a public apology from the Chief Minister for what he described as repeated insults to the farming community. "We will not tolerate the insult of farmers; the Chief Minister must apologise," said Mr Patole in the assembly referring to the statements made by former BJP minister Babanrao Lonekar. Tensions escalated when Mr Patole walked up to the Speaker's chair in protest, prompting a brief suspension of proceedings. The former Speaker was later suspended from the House for the day. "It is one thing to show emotion over an issue, but it is wrong to get aggressive towards the Speaker, as if he is at fault. People may have approached the Speaker in the past, but this was aggressive. A man who has himself been a Speaker should not have done this. He should apologise," said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in response. The flashpoint was a statement made earlier by BJP MLA and former minister Babanrao Lonikar, who, while responding to critics, remarked: "I made the payment to your mother, pension to your father, Narendra Modi gave Rs 6,000 to your father for sowing; your mother, sister, and wife got money under the Ladki Bahin Yojana; the government has given you the clothes, chappals, boots." Opposition members condemned the remarks as demeaning to farmers. After his suspension, Mr Patole reiterated his demand in a post on social media. "The continued insults towards farmers by leaders of the Mahayuti are absolutely condemnable. The statements made by MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Kokate have deeply hurt the sentiments of farmers. The Chief Minister must publicly apologise to the farmers in the Assembly. Our stand is clear - we will not tolerate the insult of farmers under any circumstances," Mr Patole tweeted. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray backed Mr Patole's stance and slammed the government for suspending him. "This is perhaps the first time an elected representative has been suspended for raising the voice of farmers," said Mr Thackeray, calling the move a reflection of the government's insensitivity. "If the government backs those who insult farmers, the opposition cannot continue sitting in the House," said Mr Wadettiwar. UBT Triggered The Language Row Over 'Operation Hindi' Remark Shiv Sena (UBT)'s mouthpiece drew parallels between the government's now-retracted push for a three-language policy and 'Operation Sindoor,' triggering a sharp backlash from the BJP. "The same people who couldn't effectively execute 'Operation Sindoor' and caved under pressure of President Trump, are now trying to ruin the education system through 'Operation Hindi'," read today's Saamna editorial. "UBT continues to defame the country and question a noble act of Maa Bharti by comparing Operation Sindoor with the implementation of the three-language policy," said BJP MLA Ram Kadam. "I don't know of any such newspaper," said BJP minister Ashish Shelar, dismissing the remark. "I don't know about Operation Sindoor, but Operation Hindi definitely failed. It was only due to the opposition's resistance that the decision was rolled back," said UBT MLA Sunil Prabhu.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Highway blockade today to protest against Shaktipeeth
Kolhapur: The state is bracing for traffic disruptions as the Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti — supported by INDIA Bloc parties and the Retired Govt Employees and Teachers Association — will stage a highway block protest across 12 districts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The agitation, coinciding with Maharashtra Agriculture Day, aims to bring highway traffic to a standstill in Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg. The protest stems from the state cabinet's recent approval of a substantial Rs20,787 crore to fast-track the Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Highway (High Speed Expressway) project. This project seeks to connect Pawanar (Wardha district) in eastern Maharashtra to Patra Devi (Sindhudurg district) on the Maharashtra-Goa border. Highway authorities have already started land mapping and surveys for acquisition, reportedly under police protection, which has fuelled opposition from farmers. This swift action, despite farmer objections, has directly led to the call for the highway blockade. Farmers' leader and former MP Raju Shetti has issued a stern warning to political representatives and sugar mill owners in Kolhapur and Sangli districts. He urged them to publicly clarify their position on the Shaktipeeth Highway, stating that "time will not forgive them" if they fail to do so. Shetti, while speaking to the reporters on Monday, said, "If you are true, then you don't have to fear the govt. This highway is being created only to make a scam worth Rs50,000 crore. The people's representatives of Kolhapur and Sangli districts, and especially the sugar millers, should clarify their stance against Shaktipeeth; otherwise, time will not forgive them." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In Kolhapur district, the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway will be blocked at the Panchaganga Bridge in Shiroli. In Sangli district, the protest will be held at Ankali Phata on the Nagpur-Ratnagiri National Highway. Meanwhile, the police department has planned traffic diversions to avoid inconvenience to the commuters due to the protest. Inspector Nandkumar More of the city traffic branch, while talking to TOI, said, "All vehicles moving towards Pune from Kagal side will be diverted from Ujlaiwadi bridge and will proceed via Shahu Toll Naka, Tararani Chowk, SP Office Chowk, Kasba Bawda, Shiye Phata, and then towards Pune." He added, "The same road will be used for vehicles arriving from Pune to move towards Kagal and Karnataka side. The traffic diversions will be in place from Tuesday 8am until the protest ends."
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers plan chakka jam on July 1 against Shaktipeeth
Kolhapur: Farmers' leader Raju Shetti on Thursday claimed those opposing the Shaktipeeth highway project are being treated more harshly than 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, as even Kasab was allowed to present his case, provided a lawyer, and given 'biryani', but farmers' rtights are being disregarded. Shetti, speaking in Dharashiv on Thursday, said govt is issuing notices and conducting land surveys without farmers' consent, using police force to do so. "CM Devendra Fadnavis says there is no opposition to the Shaktipeeth Highway. If that is the case, then why do the administrative officials need to visit farmlands for land surveys with a heavy police force? Are the farmers Veerappan? A highway can't be built without land mapping. We won't allow the survey to take place. If they try to survey the land with the help of drones, then farmers very well know how to use 'gophan (slingshot)'. Maintaining law and order is govt's duty; we farmers won't be responsible if a law and order situation arises." On Thursday evening, an online meeting of farmers and public representatives opposing the Shaktipeeth Highway took place. The meeting resulted in a unanimous decision to intensify the chakka jam protest on July 1. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The anime RPG everyone's talking about is finally free! Nikke: Goddess Of Victory Play Now Undo Participants included MLC Satej Patil, MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, MP Vishal Patil, MP Omaraje Nimbalkar, MP Nagesh Patil, MLA Kailas Patil, MLA Arun Lad, MLA Dilip Sopal, MLA Chandrakant Navghare, MLA Pravin Swami, former MP Raju Shetti, and farmers from all 12 districts. Addressing the meeting, Satej Patil said, "We will raise our voice against Shaktipeeth in the monsoon session of the legislative assembly and legislative council. Along with this, now it is time to fight a battle against govt by taking to the roads. On July 1, a chakka jam protest will be held on the day which is celebrated as Maharashtra Agriculture Day. Police are warned that they should not interfere and harass farmers. " Meanwhile, minister Hasan Mushrif told the media in Kolhapur on Thursday, "Shaktipeeth is a dream project of CM Devendra Fadnavis. Farmers and public representatives will be taken into confidence. Three or four different options will be put forward. Where there is opposition, a different alignment will be made, and the highway will be constructed."
