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‘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

Thief who came from Mumbai and committed several thefts arrested

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Mumbai: Police have claimed to have arrested a thief who committed theft in the limits of Milind police station, against whom several cases of theft and burglary are registered in Mumbai. Mumbai Zone 7 DCP Vijay Kant Sagare, while addressing a press conference here, said that the accused came to Mumbai by flight with the intention of stealing and broke into several 5 houses.

Theft cases are registered against him in Nehru Nagar, Milind, Alwaye, Navi Mumbai. One and a half lakh silver ornaments weighing two kg, totaling Rs 15 lakh have been seized. Cases of stalking are also registered against the criminal Rajesh in Dombivali, Vishnu Nagar, Vishai, Vitthalwadi, Manpara, Pan police stations.

The accused told that he came to Mumbai from Varanasi by plane on March 13, 2025 and robbed five houses in 15 days.

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Maharashtra

Struggle Against Land Mafia in Waqf Properties: New Amended Bill Adds to the Challenges

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New Delhi : In the ongoing battle to protect Waqf properties and ensure their benefits reach the deserving, land mafias, encroachers, and illegal groups were already a major hurdle. Now, the government’s newly amended bill has emerged as another significant challenge. Advocate Dr. Syed Ejaz Abbas Naqvi has strongly criticized this move and demanded immediate reforms. He stated that the primary objective of Waqf was to benefit the needy, but unfortunately, this objective has completely failed. On the other hand, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the largest Sikh religious organization, has been actively involved in the welfare of its community for decades. As a result, the Sikh community has nearly eradicated beggars and human rickshaw pullers.

Illegal Encroachments and Misuse of Waqf Lands Exposed :
According to Dr. Naqvi, Waqf properties have suffered the most due to unlawful encroachments by vested interest groups. The most unfortunate fact is that many Waqf lands were originally donated for the shrines (Dargahs) of Syed families, but they have been grossly misused. He revealed that a well-known individual shamelessly sold an acre of prime Waqf land on Mumbai’s Altamount Road for just 1.6 million rupees, a blatant violation of Waqf principles and laws.

Demand for a Stricter Amendment in Section 52 :
Dr. Naqvi has called on the government to take strict action against those who illegally sell Waqf properties. He has urged for an immediate amendment to Section 52 of the Waqf Act to introduce

capital punishment or life imprisonment* for unauthorized Waqf land sellers. This issue is a major setback for those fighting to safeguard Waqf properties, who are already battling corrupt elements and illegal land grabbers. It remains to be seen whether the government takes these concerns seriously and enacts effective legislation to protect Waqf lands.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Cleanup Marshal and Swachh Mumbai campaign ended, fine collection from citizens also stopped, BMC helpline number released

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Mumbai: Mumbai BMC has abolished the clean-up marshal policy, after which now the clean-up marshal has disappeared from the streets of the city. The Municipal Corporation has completely banned the clean-up marshal and the Swachh Mumbai Mission has been stopped. This means that now no clean-up marshal will be able to force citizens to pay fines or take any other punitive action. After complaints against clean-up marshals, Mumbai BMC has decided to stop and suspend the service of clean-up marshals from today.

The Solid Waste Management Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, under the Department of Garbage and Sanitation, oversees public cleanliness in Mumbai and the ‘Swachh Mumbai Mission’ has been closed from April 4, 2025. However, the Municipal Corporation administration has appealed to the citizens that if any fine has been imposed on them despite this, then they can complain about it. Complaints regarding cleanup marshals can be made to the divisional control room of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation at 022-23855128 and 022-23877691 (extension number 549/500).

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