Maharashtra
Distribution of 32 lakh kits will not bring real happiness to Muslims: Abu Azmi on BJP’s ‘Saugat-e-Modi’
Mumbai, March 27: As the BJP launched a nationwide outreach programme ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ aimed at economically weaker Muslim families ahead of Eid, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi voiced strong criticism, stating that the distribution of 32 lakh kits would not bring real happiness to Muslims.
According to Azmi, the true source of happiness for Muslims would come if innocent Muslims currently imprisoned were released before Eid.
Talking to media, Abu Azmi said: “32 lakh kits will not bring happiness to the weaker section of Muslims. Real happiness will come when the innocent Muslims, who are unjustly imprisoned, are released before Eid. If you had told them to go home and celebrate Eid with their families, I would have seen that as a real gift. If you really want to give a gift, then the gift would be the rights given to Muslims by the Constitution of Bhimrao Ambedkar, where every person should receive their rightful share according to their numbers. If you had done that, I would have considered it a gift.”
Azmi further accused the BJP of using this initiative to influence Muslims in light of the upcoming Bihar elections. He claimed that the outreach programme was merely an attempt to win votes by targeting the Muslim community under the pretext of providing welfare.
“It is no surprise that such things happen when elections are near. With the Bihar elections approaching, it seems the BJP is trying to appease Muslims. They are trying to take over Muslim lands, while the entire Muslim community is opposing the amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Those who own the land don’t want changes, but the BJP is determined to make amendments. What kind of gift is this? The real issue is that they are entering mosques, burning the Quran, and causing distress to Muslims,” Azmi said.
He added: “You’re offering these so-called gifts, but you won’t give Muslims even one minister, one MLA, or one MP. There is no need for such gifts. The real gift will be when Muslims are granted the rights promised to them by the Constitution. Only then would I truly consider it a gift, and I would love that.”
Azmi also responded to the recent strict instructions issued by Uttar Pradesh Police, which prohibited Namaz on roads and other public places. In Meerut, the police have advised Muslims to offer Namaz only at designated mosques or other grounds meant for mass prayer.
“What if the government decides tomorrow that we cannot pray? If we pray, they’ll threaten to shoot us or send us to jail. For hundreds of years, people have been praying in public spaces when mosques were small or overcrowded, sometimes even on roads next to gutters. But instead of harassing people for praying, the government should provide space for them to pray, clean up the areas, and respect their right to practice their religion. It’s not about blocking traffic; it’s about deliberately harassing Muslims,” he said, expressing concern over the increased restrictions on religious practices.
Azmi further reacted to the recent controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra, whose satirical remarks on social media have led to protests and demands for his YouTube channel to be banned.
Azmi found the response disproportionate, particularly when compared to the lack of action in the case of insults toward Islam.
“Kunal Kamra’s remarks about the Deputy Chief Minister were inappropriate, but we must remember that when insults are made against our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), no action is taken. Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen, who have written defamatory books about Islam, receive protection under freedom of speech laws. In contrast, Kamra’s remarks have sparked massive outrage, and there’s even a push to ban his YouTube channel. This is a clear double standard. It shows how democracy is being undermined in our country,” Azmi concluded.
Maharashtra
Sadanand Data’s path to becoming DGP is paved, Data will succeed Rashmi Shukla in Maharashtra, will take charge from January 1

NIA Chief Sadanand Date: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) of the Central Government has taken a significant administrative decision, approving the immediate repatriation of National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General and senior IPS officer Sadanand Vasant Date to his parent cadre in Maharashtra. This order, issued on December 22nd, is considered highly significant from both an administrative and political perspective.
Sadanand Date is a 1990 batch IPS officer and is known as a strict, honest, and experienced officer at both the central and state levels. During his tenure as NIA chief, the agency’s role in several sensitive and national security-related cases was further strengthened. Under his leadership, the NIA’s efficiency and credibility have increased.
This decision comes at a time when elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are scheduled for January. The BMC is one of the largest municipal corporations in the country, and maintaining law and order during its elections is a major challenge for the state police. Therefore, experienced leadership at both the central and state levels is considered crucial.
The term of the current Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra, Rashmi Shukla, ends on December 31st. In this context, Sadanand Date’s name is being considered as a frontrunner for the next DGP of the state. According to administrative sources, Date’s appointment could ensure a fair and robust security arrangement during the elections.
Sadanand Date is known as the courageous officer who directly confronted terrorist Ajmal Kasab at the Cama and Albless Hospital during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He was seriously injured during the incident, but his courage and dedication to duty earned him national recognition.
If Sadanand Date is appointed as the new DGP of Maharashtra, it will be considered a major and positive step for the state’s law and order and security apparatus. Administrative circles believe that his appointment will boost the morale of the police force and help in conducting the upcoming elections peacefully.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Rickshaw driver beaten up in Vikhroli on suspicion of child theft, burqa-clad driver did this to collect fare, police claim

Mumbai: Vikhroli Park Site, after the rumor of a child theft, chaos broke out and an auto rickshaw driver was attacked by a mob when he went to the street of Vikhroli Madina Masjid dressed in a burqa to collect his fare. During this, people suspected that the child had come to steal, after which the mob beat him up, but the police reached the spot and then took him into their custody. During interrogation, it was found that the child had not come wearing a burqa to steal but to collect the fare. He was dressed in a burqa so that no one would recognize him and he could easily collect his fare and go back, but unfortunately, the people caught him and the police took him out of the mob’s possession and safely took him to the police station. After that, the police confirmed that the child had not come to steal. Further investigation is underway in this matter. The police said that along with the investigation, it is also being found out whether he really came to collect the fare or not. He is a thief. Initial investigation has revealed that the child is not a thief. The police have confirmed that the rickshaw driver is not a thief.
Maharashtra
Municipal Corporation in Mumbai is committed to conducting administration and election process in a fearless, free and transparent environment: Bhushan Gagrani

Mumbai: Municipal Corporation Administration and Election System Mumbai Municipal Corporation is committed to conducting the election process for the general elections 2025-26 in a completely fearless, free, transparent and disciplined environment. In this regard, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Administration has made all and extensive preparations and all necessary measures are being implemented effectively. The role of political parties is very important in the election process. In order to promote democratic values and make the election process fair, transparent and credible, all political parties, their office bearers and workers should strictly follow the code of conduct framed by the State Election Commission and cooperate with the Municipal Corporation Administration. A positive and exemplary example should be set in the electoral process, this appeal was made by Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani. A meeting was held with representatives of political parties at the Municipal Corporation headquarters today in connection with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation general elections 2025-26. On this occasion, Gagrani presented detailed information about various administrative, technical and legal aspects of the elections.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Special Duty Officer (Election) Vijay Balmwar, Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar, Assistant Commissioner (Taxation and Collection) Gajanan Belle, UP Election Officer Vijay Kumar Suryavanshi and other office bearers and representatives of various political parties were present in the meeting. Political parties were provided detailed information about the offices of 23 Election Decision Officers and their scope of work for the smooth conduct of the elections. Along with this, guidance was also given on the process of filing nomination papers, scrutiny of applications, registration of objections and how to contact these offices for day-to-day work in the election process. Municipal Commissioner Shri said that all necessary arrangements have been completed at the level of the Election Decision Officer so that the candidates do not face any technical problems.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwani Joshi said that all guidelines have been given so that the candidates do not make any mistakes while filing nomination papers (candidate applications) for the elections. The concerned persons should submit all the information in the prescribed format. Candidates should take special care that no application is rejected due to technical difficulties. It is mandatory for the candidates to fill all the information correctly and clearly in the affidavit submitted with their application. He said that if any column is left blank in the affidavit or if incorrect information is found, the nomination of the candidate, along with all other matters, can be cancelled.
Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment and Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar said that the main objective of the administration is to increase the voting percentage to strengthen democracy. For this, political parties should create awareness among the voters. Public awareness is being created among the voters under the ‘SVEEP’ program by the Municipal Corporation. Also, it is mandatory to follow the guidelines of the esteemed State Election Commission regarding election expenses. Candidates should keep a record of every expense incurred during the election campaign and submit the account of election expenses within the stipulated time. Various doubts raised by the representatives of political parties on various issues were cleared including caste verification certificate, toilet usage certificate, Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, appointment of representatives of election candidates.
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