Latest news with #Naxals'
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Urban Naxals' with overseas funding are stalling development projects in Maharashtra, says Devendra Fadnavis
Days after the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill was passed in the State Assembly, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) alleged that 'urban Naxals' from outside the State were using foreign funds to spread rumours and stall development projects. The Chief Minister was in Gadchiroli district to inaugurate projects. 'While gun-wielding Naxalites are surrendering, reducing Naxalism, urban Naxalism is increasing. So, we need to stay alert about 'urban Naxals' spreading misinformation,' the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, adding that the investigation by the Gadchiroli police investigation had shown that people from other States, including Karnataka, were funding these campaigns. The Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, Mr. Fadnavis also highlighted that social media campaigns claiming killings of tribals and land seizures started right after the foundation of a steel plant had been laid. ''Urban Naxalism' is spreading, and they are using misinformation to derail development projects,' Mr. Fadnavis said, adding he had been shocked to come across the news, when nothing had happened. He asked the Range's Inspector General Sandeep Patil to probe the details. Mr. Fadnavis revealed that, upon investigation, the four persons involved were from Kolkata and Bengaluru, working on foreign funding to 'instigate people against the Constitution'. While speaking at the 'ground breaking' ceremony of several projects of Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited at Konsari in Gadchiroli district, Mr. Fadnavis, who is also the State's Home Minister, appealed to Naxalites to enter the mainstream, leaving behind their old life. 'We are on our way to fulfil our dream of making Gadchiroli the steel hub of India. In 2015-2016, the mining started amid the challenges posed by Naxalites, villagers, and safety issues. However, we are on a path to build a steel ecosystem with jobs for the locals,' Mr. Fadnavis said, ealling Gadchiroli the greenest district of Maharashtra.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Branding those with opposing ideology as Naxals has become a trend, says Sharad Pawar
Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday criticised what he described as a growing tendency to brand individuals with differing views or progressive ideologies as 'Naxals.' Sharad-Pawar-president-of-the-Nationalist-Congress-Party-during-the-32nd-death-anniversary-of-Mathadi-leader-Annasaheb-Patil-at-APMC-market-in-Vashi-PTI-photo His remarks came a day after Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande alleged in the legislative council that so-called 'urban Naxals' had infiltrated the Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur and were attempting to misguide the warkari community. Responding to the claim, Pawar said, 'One of the organisations named is Lokayat. I have observed Lokayat's work over the years. It is a modern, progressive group that has consistently worked to challenge regressive traditions. They are not Naxals. Unfortunately, it has now become a fashion to call someone a Naxal just because their views or efforts aren't palatable to certain groups.' Pawar drew parallels with the aftermath of the Elgar Parishad held in Pune on December 31, 2017, and the subsequent caste violence at Bhima Koregaon the next day. 'Many individuals were jailed on allegations of Maoist links. A similar situation could be unfolding now in the context of the Wari,' he said. Pawar also confirmed that his party would join the event being organised on July 5 by Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to celebrate the state's recent success in opposing the mandatory imposition of Hindi and the three-language policy in schools.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Fashion now to label those with opposing ideology as Naxals, says Sharad Pawar
MUMBAI: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has said that there is a growing 'fashion' of labelling someone as a 'Naxal' if their work or ideology is not accepted. Pawar was responding to Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande, who claimed in the legislative council on Wednesday that 'urban Naxals' have infiltrated the annual 'wari' pilgrimage to Pandharpur and are attempting to mislead 'warkaris', or devotees of Lord Vitthal. "I do not have full information about it. But one of the two organisations whose names have been reported in the media is Lokayat. I have seen the work of Lokayat. The outfit is modern in its outlook and has been trying to create a general consensus against orthodoxy for the last several years. They are not Naxals. There is a growing fashion of labelling someone as a Naxal if their work or ideology is not accepted," Pawar asserted on Thursday.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Opposition seeks apology over MLC's ‘urban Naxal' remark on wari pilgrimage
Holding copies of the Constitution, Opposition leaders staged a protest on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday (July 3, 2025), condemning Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande's remarks alleging the presence of 'urban Naxals' in the annual Ashadhi wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Leaders across the Opposition spectrum — including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve (Shiv Sena-UBT), Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad — accused the Mahayuti government of attempting to defame a centuries-old religious tradition and demanded an apology from the ruling alliance. 'This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government must immediately withdraw these remarks and apologise to the warkari community,' Mr. Danve said during the protest. The Ashadhi wari is a revered annual pilgrimage during which lakhs of devotees — known as warkaris — walk to Pandharpur to offer prayers to Lord Vitthal. Ms. Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, claimed in the Legislative Council on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) that urban Naxals had infiltrated the wari and were attempting to mislead devotees. 'Atheist individuals who do not believe in God have entered the wari. This is a serious matter. Under the guise of groups like Samvidhan Dindi, Paryavaran Wari, and Lokayat, they are staging street plays, delivering speeches, and influencing warkaris,' Ms. Kayande alleged. She also cited past instances where pieces of meat were reportedly thrown during the procession. She urged the Mahayuti government to act swiftly to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage and said the proposed Maharashtra Public Security Bill would help curb such disruptive elements. 'During last year's Lok Sabha elections, these same elements spread a false narrative about the Constitution being changed,' Ms. Kayande added. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena faction that nominated Ms. Kayande, told the House that the government had taken cognisance of the matter and had directed the Home Department to investigate the claims. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam also said his office had received complaints about attempts by alleged 'urban Naxals' to disrupt social harmony and assured the House that the matter would be taken seriously. The Opposition, however, dismissed the remarks as baseless and politically motivated. They alleged that the comments were part of a deliberate attempt to politicise a spiritual event and discredit the peaceful warkari movement. 'This is an attempt to sow division under the guise of security concerns. The government must stop targeting religious gatherings with ideological labels,' Mr. Awhad said.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How a new law in Maharashtra could criminalise dissent
How a new law in Maharashtra could criminalise dissent Framed as a tool to fight 'urban Naxalism', Maharashtra's Special Public Security Bill has sparked outrage for its sweeping powers. Critics say it criminalises dissent, bypasses due process, and could turn peaceful protest into a punishable offence In December 2024, just a day before the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly ended, the Eknath Shinde-led government tabled the Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill — a controversial law ostensibly crafted to target 'urban Naxals' and their support networks. But what the government describes as a necessary security measure, civil society groups have called 'draconian', 'unconstitutional', and 'a danger to India's democratic fabric'. As many as 12,000 objections and suggestions were submitted by April 1 in response to the Bill. Now, a broad coalition of political parties and grassroots organisations is preparing to march in protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on June 30.
