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Maharashtra

‘Hindutva Is About Saving Lives, Not Opening Temples’: Uddhav Thackeray Attacks Centre During Dussehra Melawa In Mumbai

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Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched a diatribe against the ruling NDA government in the state, as well as at the Centre, on several issues including the quota demands, Marathi pride, corruption and Hindutva, as he addressed his party’s traditional Dussehra rally at the iconic Shivaji Park in Dadar on Tuesday.

“They wanted us to open temples while we were busy saving lives in the Covid pandemic,” Thackeray said and added that apart from being proudly Hindu, the Shiv Sena (UBT) stands for Marathi pride as well.

Thackeray Speaks On Dharavi Redevelopment Project

Thackeray also lashed out at the appointment of ‘a real-estate developer’ as the guardian minister of Mumbai and for awarding Dharavi’s redevelopment to a friend of those in power.”

“We stand for saving Mumbai from those who are trying to loot it,” Thackeray said, referring to infrastructure projects like the high-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

He also challenged the government to go to the polls over all these issues, adding, “They are afraid and hence, are even delaying the University senate elections.”

Touching on the issue of quota demands being raised by the Marathas, Dhangars and OBCs, Thackeray voiced support to activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. “I thank him for taking the right stand. He carried out the Maratha agitation very well and has also brought the Dhangar community together. I visited his village to meet activists who were lathi-charged. It was a horrible experience,” Thackeray said, recounting his interactions with the victims.

He emphasized that a resolution of the Maratha reservation issue could only be achieved in the Lok Sabha. “We were hoping for a crucial decision during the special session of Parliament on the first day of Ganeshotsav. They could have overturned the Supreme Court decision, as was done on the basis of massive strength in the case of Delhi. But they did not do so,” Thackeray said.

Let’s Burn Down The Khokasur: Uddhav Thackeray

This year’s Dussehra rally assumed significance in light of the fact that it was being held for the first time after the Shiv Sena (UBT) lost both the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the bow-and-arrow election symbol. “Ravan also was a devotee of Shiva. But he went mad with the pride of his power. Hence, he had to be destroyed. He abducted Seeta, just as the Shiv Sena was taken away from us. But in our case, they also snatched our bow and arrow,” Thackeray said.

“But now, we have the ‘mashaal’. So, just as Hanuman, who burnt down Lanka, let us burn down the ‘Khokasur’,” Thackeray declared, making an oblique reference to the breakaway Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Thackeray did not mince words when it came to the BJP, accusing them of sowing division among the people to divert public attention from pressing issues such as inflation and unemployment. He concluded with a pointed remark, “Those who don’t believe in the family system should refrain from commenting on dynasties,” taking a clear swipe at Prime Minister Modi.

“I repeatedly emphasise that the BJP never had any connection with the struggle for Independence, nor with the Marathwada Mukti Sangram. They weren’t involved in the United Maharashtra Movement; instead, they arrived with the United Maharashtra Committee and were the first to desert us,” Thackeray said.

He pointed out how the Jan Sangh had entered the Janata Party, then later, aligned with the Shiv Sena, the Akali Dal, and on occasion, even with Nitish Kumar. “Wherever they go, they cause destruction. Therefore, Manoj Jarange-Patil must be cautious,” Uddhav Thackeray warned.

Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut Attacks Centre On Corruption

Shiv Sena (UBT) member of Parliament and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut, whose speech preceded Thackeray’s, lambasted the government in the state as well as the Centre, for rampant corruption. “Eknath Shinde is a scam in himself,” Raut said, adding, “After going with the BJP, it has turned into a mega scam.”

He asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he was going to hang all the corrupt politicians in Maharashtra, referring to a recent speech by the latter in Chhattisgarh. “They are anti-corruption only in opposition states,” he said.

Maharashtra

Dahi Handi 2025: One Injured After Falling From Govinda Pathak In Dadar

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Mumbai: One person was injured after falling from the top of a human pyramid during Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai’s Dadar area on Saturday. The incident occurred as a group of Govindas attempted to break the handi by forming a human pyramid, a traditional highlight of the Janmashtami festival.

The injured participant received immediate medical attention and is reported to be in stable condition. The Dahi Handi celebration in Dadar draws massive crowds each year, and this year was no exception, with enthusiastic participation despite safety concerns.

11-Year-Old Boy Dies During Dahi Handi Practice In Dahisar; Pathak President Booked For Negligence

In another news story related to the Dahi Handi, a tragic incident unfolded in Hanuman Nagar, Ketkipada, Dahisar East, on Sunday, where an 11-year-old boy, Mahesh Jadhav, lost his life while practising for the upcoming Dahi Handi celebrations. Mahesh was a member of the Navtarun Govinda Pathak.

The Dahisar police registered an FIR on Monday against Balu Soornar, the President of the Navtarun Mitra Mandal Pathak, under Sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 223 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Fall During Practice Turns Fatal

According to police reports, Mahesh was a resident of Dharkhadi, Dahisar East. His family comes from a modest background; his mother works as a domestic helper, his father is a labourer, and he has three younger brothers aged 8, 5, and 1. As the eldest child, Mahesh had taken part in the Dahi Handi practices held by his group.

In preparation for Gokulashtami, the Navtarun Govinda Pathak had been conducting practice sessions. However, reports suggest that no safety measures or protective equipment were provided to the participants. Being the smallest in the group, Mahesh was assigned the topmost position in the human pyramid. During Sunday night’s practice, he lost his balance while standing at the top and fell straight to the ground due to the absence of sufficient members below to cushion the fall.

He sustained critical injuries from the fall and was immediately taken to a multispeciality hospital in Dahisar East, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later transferred to Shatabdi Hospital for post-mortem examination.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: 32-Year-Old Dahi Handi Participant Dies In Mankhurd, 30 Injured Citywide

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Mumbai witnessed tragedy during the Dahi Handi celebrations on Saturday when a 32-year-old participant from Bal Govinda Pathak in Maharashtra Nagar, Mankhurd, lost his life in an accident.

About The Incident

The incident was reported around 3 pm and confirmed by Shatabdi Hospital, Govandi.

The deceased, identified as Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari, was tying the Dahi Handi rope from the first floor of a G+1 structure when he slipped inside the grill of the house. His family members rushed him to Shatabdi Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Apart from this fatal mishap, several Govinda participants across the city sustained injuries while attempting human pyramids and other celebratory activities. By 3 pm, hospitals had reported a total of 30 injuries. Of these, 18 cases were reported at Cooper Hospital, where 12 people remained under treatment and six were discharged. At Sion Hospital, six injured Govindas were admitted, with three undergoing treatment and the rest sent home after primary care. Another six cases were recorded at Nair Hospital, with one person still under treatment and five discharged.

In all, 30 people were injured during the day’s festivities, 15 of whom continued to receive medical care while the other 15 were discharged after treatment. Civic authorities stated that apart from the Mankhurd incident, no other major untoward episode was reported in the city during the celebrations.

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Maharashtra

‘Eknath Shinde Won Matka Not Lottery’: MP Sanjay Raut Takes Dig At Maharashtra Deputy CM; MNS-Sena Collaborate For BEST Patpedhi Elections

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Mumbai: In numerous locations, employees from both parties are uniting and engaging in various activities. You inquired about the MNS alliance in the Municipal Corporations of Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan, and I just provided an answer. The employees from both organizations are collaborating in the BEST Patpedhi elections.

A large march will occur in Nashik, where MNS will participate alongside Shiv Sena in this significant event. We are currently negotiating to contest the elections jointly. “Our focus is on Mumbai,” stated Sanjay Raut, an MP from the Thackeray group.

Sanjay Raut engaged with the journalists. On this occasion, Sanjay Raut stated that the focus of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and their business group is Mumbai. They aim to seize control of Mumbai, and the Thackeray brothers’ goal is to ensure that Mumbai is not given to the Gujaratis.

The position of Chief Minister is not a gamble; it’s a matka, stated BJP leader and minister Ganesh Naik regarding Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. When Sanjay Raut was asked for his thoughts on this, he mentioned that lottery is an esteemed term.

In the past, the government operated a lottery. However, matka is currently being played unlawfully in the state. Despite Devendra Fadnavis being the Chief Minister, the figures are being manipulated. Ganesh Naik referred to the term lottery; he made this indicative comment in Thane.

However, the term matka must have been on his mind. He must have intended to imply that there should have been a matka for the position of Chief Minister. However, matka numbers are unpredictable, and individuals participate in four or five matkas, stated Sanjay Raut.

In the meantime, fundamentally, Girish Mahajan is not Maharishi Vyas. He ought to notice what is igniting beneath him. He ought to consider what will occur for him on the day he is no longer in power, where he will find himself. “On the morrow, when the Thackeray brothers join forces politically, they will be aware.” Sanjay Raut criticized that the thieves and robbers surrounding Fadnavis will struggle to walk the streets when they are out of power.

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