Mumbai, July 22: Marking the birth anniversary of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday paid a heartfelt tribute, describing the occasion as a poignant mix of celebration and sorrow.

He said the day was marked by contrasting emotions, as it celebrated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ birthday while also remembering the late Ajit Pawar, whom he described as the architect of the Mahayuti alliance.

“Today brings joy in one eye and tears in the other. No one can truly fill the void left by Ajitdada. I pray that Deputy Chief Minister Sunetratai finds the strength to carry forward his dream of building a prosperous Maharashtra by continuing the path of development he laid down,” Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in his message.

Reflecting on Pawar’s distinct leadership style, Shinde highlighted how the late leader served as an inspiration for an entire generation of politicians. He lauded Pawar’s hallmark traits.

“Administrative Command: Exceptional discipline and firm control over governance. Punctuality & Commitment: A tireless dedication to utilizing every moment of the day for public service. Deep Expertise: A thorough understanding of finance, agriculture, and the cooperative sector, visible in his work as Finance Minister,” he stated.

Shinde emphasised that the state budget presented by Pawar to fulfill Mahayuti’s promises remains a cornerstone of inspiration for Maharashtra.

Reflecting on their shared goals, Shinde shared that they had envisioned numerous economic and social milestones for the state before fate unexpectedly took Pawar away. He remarked that actively realising those grand visions for development is the greatest and most authentic homage the coalition can pay him.

The deputy CM paid tribute with poetic lines honouring his memory: “Days will come and go, the wheel of time will turn…But the fragrance of Dada’s memories will forever remain.”

Reaffirming their shared commitment to public welfare and joint development, Shinde expressed lasting gratitude for Ajit Pawar’s immense contribution to Maharashtra.

Earlier, recalling past years filled with joy, warmth, and widespread celebrations, Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, expressed the pain of adjusting to life without her lifelong partner.

“For so many years, I celebrated your birthday with such joy, enthusiasm, and pride… The home and family would be filled with happiness, showers of blessings all around. But today, observing this very same day as your ‘jayanti,’ my heart breaks completely from within. Even today, my heart refuses to accept this bitter truth, Dada,” she said.

She described the sudden emptiness left in her life following his untimely demise, highlighting how Ajit Pawar stood as her pillar of strength through every stage of life. Addressing her late husband directly, Sunetra Pawar emphasised that while he may no longer be physically present, his political legacy, public service, and strict discipline will remain immortalised.

New Delhi, July 22: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the government of exploiting students and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Home Minister Amit Shah over the NEET paper leak controversy.

LoP Rahul Gandhi, who was detained by Delhi Police during a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg and later released, said the issue must be debated in both Houses of Parliament.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Speaker of the Lok Sabha earlier in the day, LoP Rahul Gandhi said he had requested a debate on the treatment of students during Monday’s protests.

“The Speaker said he needed to take permission from the Government, but it was very clear to us in the hours after that that there was no interest in the Government of having a debate,” he said.

He added that the Opposition then decided to stage a dharna outside the Prime Minister’s residence to bring the students’ issue to national attention.

“This is the most crucial issue for the country, along with what has been done against them,” Gandhi remarked.

Questioning the state of the education system, LoP Rahul Gandhi asked: “Why is the Indian education system collapsing? Why are papers leaking? Why is education so expensive in India? Why do families have to destroy themselves financially to educate their children? These are legitimate questions, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking them.”

Outlining the students’ demands, Gandhi said they included the resignation of Pradhan and Shah, action against those who beat and humiliated the students, and the withdrawal of all cases registered against them.

He added that the entire Opposition wanted the issue debated in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

“My suggestion to Modi ji, as LoP, is that for what happened yesterday, what your Government and your Home Minister did, you should apologise to the students of the country and start reforms in the examination system and education system as soon as possible,” LoP Rahul Gandhi said.

Thanking supporters, he added: “You all supported us. To everyone fighting together for the cause of the students, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

The confrontation highlights the deepening rift between the government and the Opposition over the sensitive issue of paper leaks in competitive examinations, which continues to affect lakhs of students across the country.

Mumbai, July 22: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Wednesday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government, alleging that the Modi administration has entered a period of decline following recent youth-led protests in New Delhi.

In a scathing editorial published in its mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, the party characterised the police action against protesting youths in the national capital as an act of high-handedness, accusing the ruling administration of using force rather than engaging in dialogue with aggrieved citizens.

“On the streets of Delhi, police were lathi-charging youth, while angry young people quietly stood their ground and absorbed the blows. When protesters are born who say, ‘Hit me more, but I will not move from here’, what harm can dictators do to them? On Monday, the tyranny of the world’s largest democracy was seen on the streets of Delhi. Government violence on India’s land of ‘Buddha’ proved to be a mockery of humanity. Modi calls himself a Vishwaguru. Blind followers consider him the 13th incarnation of Vishnu. However, on the streets of Delhi, they are running a demonic regime that breaks the heads of innocent youth. If those in power do not initiate a dialogue, it seems their rule will not last long,” said the editorial.

The editorial claimed that despite being struck, protesters refused to yield, signalling growing defiance against the administration.

It argued that the administration consistently avoids direct communication with movement leaders, journalists, and affected citizens. It questioned why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has not been asked to resign in the wake of the ongoing youth discontent, claiming the government fears a domino effect of ministerial resignations.

“In reality, taking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was easy, but PM Modi does not take this resignation. Because after that, a queue of resignations would follow in the Cabinet. At least a dozen ministers who are statues of vices like corruption, looting, and inefficiency would have to resign. Every time, the public will come onto the streets and knock on Modi’s door to demand the resignations of corrupt officials,” noted the editorial.

The editorial highlighted nationwide land and environmental disputes, including ongoing tree-felling protests in Rishikesh and forest clearances in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. It also pointed to farmer agitations across several Maharashtra districts, such as Nashik, Akola, Solapur, Bhandara, and Buldhana, over infrastructure projects, land acquisition, and ring-road construction.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena accused the ruling party of undermining constitutional machinery, asserting that judicial appointments and the Election Commission are heavily influenced by the executive. It also criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over parliamentary proceedings and the absence of a designated Opposition Leader in the state legislature.

Drawing parallels with global student- and youth-led revolutions in countries like Libya, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the editorial warned that a total breakdown in dialogue between rulers and citizens historically leads to civil unrest and the downfall of authoritarian regimes.

“Dialogue is crucial in politics. However, dialogue between the Modi government and the public has ended. For the BJP, the voter has become a purchasable commodity. The ego of Modi — who ruled for 12 years on the formula that elections can be won by buying this commodity — has been reduced to dust by the anger of the youth,” remarked the editorial.

The editorial cautioned that “corrupt and non-responsive regimes are historically dismantled when public patience runs out”.

It concluded by accusing the ruling party of “capturing” democratic institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission, while attempting to run a state completely devoid of opposition representation.