Connect with us
Tuesday,26-May-2026
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Balasaheb Thackeray saved Modi after 2002 riots: Uddhhav slams BJP over ‘divisive’ Hindutva

Published

on

Maharashtra: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday targeted the BJP, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi wouldn’t have come this far had Bal Thackeray not “saved” him when the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had asked him to follow “rajdharma”.

He said Shiv Sena protected a political leadership for 25-30 years but they (BJP) didn’t want Sena and also the Akali Dal- the erstwhile members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

“I fell out with BJP but I never abandoned Hindutva. The BJP is not Hindutva. Uttar Bharatiyas want answers on what Hindutva is. Hating each other is not Hindutva,” he told a gathering of north Indians in Mumbai.

“I fell out with BJP but I never abandoned Hindutva. The BJP is not Hindutva. Uttar Bharatiyas want answers on what Hindutva is. Hating each other is not Hindutva,” he told a gathering of north Indians in Mumbai.

Thackeray accused the BJP of creating a rift among Hindus

“For 25-30 years, Shiv Sena protected a political friendship. Hindutva meant warmth amongst us. They (BJP) didn’t want anyone. They didn’t want Akali Dal… Shiv Sena,” he said.

 “It was Balasaheb Thackeray who saved the current prime minister when Atalji (then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) wanted him to honour ‘Rajdharma’. But Balasaheb intervened saying it was the need of the hour. Had that not happened he (Modi) wouldn’t have reached here,” Thackeray said in an apparent reference to Vajpayee’s remarks asking then Gujarat chief minister Modi to follow “rajdharma” after the 2002 communal riots.

He said the Shiv Sena founder never nurtured hatred. “Being Hindu never meant being Marathi and hating north Indians. Balasaheb was against those who were anti-India irrespective of their religion,” he added.

Walked out of alliance to protect dignity: Uddhav Thackeray

Thackeray said he walked out of the alliance with BJP to protect his dignity and joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly polls.

“…..Otherwise I would have been a slave with a belt around my neck just like some of my people have now become,” he said in an apparent reference to the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs who belong to the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Thackeray said he becomes a victim of the smear campaign whenever he meets north Indians or Muslims and questioned are raised on his Hindutva.

Thackeray spoke on PM Modi’s visit to Mumbai

“My meeting with you has been criticised. If I meet Muslims, it is said I have given up Hindutva. When PM Narendra Modi came to Mumbai two days back, whose kitchen did he go to? If I had done that I would have been called anti-Hindu.

“But if the prime minister does that then it is said he has a big heart. I want to make it clear we have nothing against the Bohra community. They are with us,” he said.

During his latest visit to Mumbai, the prime minister inaugurated the new Marol campus of the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy, a prominent educational institution of the Bohra community, and said he had come there as a family member of the community.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Advocate Challenges Proposed Ban On Bakri Eid Qurbani In Housing Societies, Warns Of High Court Move

Published

on

Mumbai, May 26: A legal representation has been filed before the Mayor of Mumbai, objecting to a proposed blanket ban on Bakri Eid Qurbani within housing societies, chawls and residential complexes across the city.

The legal notice, issued by advocate Faiyaz Alam Shaikh, challenges a civic communication dated 24 May 2026, arguing that a sweeping, indiscriminate prohibition on a recognised religious practice stands as arbitrary, disproportionate and legally vulnerable under Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality, the right to life and freedom of religion.

According to the notice, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) already possesses a robust, regulated framework for managing Bakri Eid permissions. This existing structure operates via designated locations, ward-level supervision and online permission channels, including the MyBMC portal.

Historically, regulated Qurbani arrangements have been permitted within approved premises and specific common areas of housing societies, provided they comply with sanitation norms, municipal licensing and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Shaikh contended that replacing an established, structured permission mechanism with a total ban—without any proportionality analysis or public consultation—violates basic constitutional tenets of fairness and non-discrimination.

The notice highlights that the Bombay High Court has consistently favoured strict regulation, hygiene and supervision over outright, indiscriminate bans.

Furthermore, the legal notice draws attention to the “Mumbai Qurbani Permission White Paper” submitted by Adv. Shaikh on 21 May 2026. The paper outlines comprehensive policy proposals, including uniform year-round regulatory guidelines, single-window permissions, strict veterinary and sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and a transparent grievance redressal mechanism.

The representation has urged the civic administration to reconsider the restriction and instead engage in consultation regarding the White Paper. Served as a preventive legal objection, the notice said that if no corrective action is taken, appropriate legal proceedings will be initiated before the Bombay High Court to quash the proposed ban.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

‘Bakre Ka Jawab Suvar Se Dena Hoga’: BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay Sparks Political Row Amid Mira Road Tension Ahead Of Bakra Eid

Published

on

A fresh political controversy erupted in Mira Road after BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay made strong remarks while commenting on the ongoing dispute surrounding goats being brought into housing societies ahead of Bakra Eid.

The statement comes amid heightened communal tension in the locality, where clashes broke out earlier today over a temporary shed built for housing goats meant for Qurbani at Poonam Cluster Society.

Speaking to the media, Sanjay Upadhyay said the issue was not limited to Mira Road alone. Referring to another incident in Borivali, he claimed that a single family in Sumer Nagar society had brought six goats into the premises despite opposition from other residents.

The BJP MLA stated that the Maharashtra government has already issued clear guidelines prohibiting animal slaughter in housing societies and open public spaces. He added that all concerned departments had been informed about the rules.

Questioning those allegedly violating the guidelines, Upadhyay remarked that if goats could be brought into societies despite objections, then there should not be resistance if pigs were brought to such locations. He further said that if conflicts arise, “eet ka badla patthar se,”bakra la jawab suvar se” (brick should be answered with a stone, the goat will have to be answered with a pig).

The controversy began after municipal authorities demolished a temporary goat shed erected inside Poonam Cluster Society following complaints from Hindu residents and local organisations.

Later, tensions escalated when activists allegedly associated with Sakal Hindu Samaj and Bajrang Dal brought a pig near the Bakra Mandi protest site. Viral videos from the area showed protesters questioning why goats were being allowed into housing societies while objections were being raised against their protest.

The move led to heated arguments between members of two communities, prompting police intervention. Scuffles were reported from several spots, following which police carried out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

A heavy police presence remains in Mira Road as authorities continue monitoring the situation. Officials have appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid circulating provocative messages or videos on social media.

Police are also examining footage from the incident and are expected to take action based on the findings of the investigation.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Large-scale MD drugs racket busted in Agripara high-profile residence, accused investigated, alleged Bangladeshi also suspected, MD worth Rs 51 crore seized

Published

on

Mumbai: The Kandivali ANC unit led by Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell Shashi Kant Jagdale has busted a major drug manufacturing racket. The accused were allegedly manufacturing MD drugs in a room of a high-profile residential building in Agripara. During the operation, the police seized 14 kg of MD and liquid MD worth around Rs 51 crore. The police have also recovered a pistol and 19 live cartridges from the accused. A total of three people have been arrested in this case, and further investigation is underway. One of these accused belongs to West Bengal. These accused used to make MD in Mumbai city. A pistol has also been recovered from one of the accused. Investigation is also underway to find out where he got this pistol from. Along with this, his documents are also being checked and it is also being ascertained whether this alleged Bangladeshi is not. DCP Nunath Dhole of Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell said that the police is investigating this matter from every angle, while the police has got a big success in which MD and liquid MD worth Rs 51 crore have been recovered. Investigation is also underway to find out how many people are involved in this network. The police is further investigating. This operation has been carried out by DCP Nunath Dhole of ANC on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. The arrested accused have been identified as Muhammad Shoaib Shaukat Ali Mansoori, 31, of Yasmin Tower, Sufyan Saleem Mansoori, 28, and Reena Akhtar, daughter of Ashraf Al-Sikdar, 22.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending