Mumbai, July 7: Shiv Sena(UBT) on Monday criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ terming party chief Uddhav Thackeray’s speech ‘Rudali (professional mourner)’ in the joint ‘victory rally’ held with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena founder Raj Thackeray.

The rally was held on Saturday here to celebrate what they claim was a victory after the CM revoked two Government Resolutions that had introduced Hindi as a third language in primary schools in the state.

In a blistering attack, the Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ editorial said if CM Devendra Fadnavis thinks that a massive gathering of Marathi people in Mumbai is ‘Rudaali’, then he should continue his ‘Rudaali’. “Fadnavis’ ‘Rudaali’ is not the voice of Maharashtra and Marathi people,” it said.

“There is a type of ‘Rudaali’ in Rajasthan, Haryana, Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, etc. If there is a tragic event like death in someone’s house, women are invited there (to the rich people’s houses) on rent, that is, to cry, beat their chests and wail. They take cash, cry and leave. It is not a tragedy of the state that Fadnavis should compare the Marathi identity that celebrates the ‘Marathi’ victory to women who take money and cry at the time of death,” read the editorial.

The editorial further said, “Fadnavis and his party have huge wealth. This is loot. Therefore, they can afford to hire people to cry, laugh, and applaud Modi’s meetings. A truly self-respecting Marathi man does not get involved in selling his self-respect but he loves the Marathi language, Marathi literature, Marathi history and the masculine element in it.”

The editorial in detail explained the tradition of Maharashtra. “It is associated with poet Govind, who bared his talent against British slavery, with Lokmanya Tilak who wrote hard-hitting editorials against British Rule in Kesari newspaper, poet Vinayak, Swatantryaveer Savarkar, Shivram Mahadev Paranjpe, Kakasaheb Khadilkar, Annabhau Sathe, Shahir Amarshekh, Acharya Atre, and Balasaheb Thackeray, who wounded the enemies of Maharashtra through cartoons and founded the ‘Shiv Sena’ to fight the injustices against the Marathi people,” said the Saamana.

“Since the BJP and its aides do not fit anywhere in this tradition, they are belittling the masculinity of Maharashtra as ‘Rudaali’. Narendra Modi’s ‘Rudaali’ has been going on in the country for the last ten years. Even after coming to power, there will be no other ‘Rudaali’ except targeting Pandit Nehru and Gandhi to cover up their own failures,” claimed the Thackeray camp.

Srinagar, July 5: Continuing its drive against terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police in Srinagar district on Saturday attached property worth Rs 1.5 crore under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

A police statement said on Saturday, “In a decisive move against the terror ecosystem and to dismantle its supporting infrastructure, Srinagar Police has attached a residential property — comprising 8 marlas and 202 sq. ft. of land along with the building structure— estimated to be worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore.

“The property, located at Mir Masjid Mohalla, Shallabagh Khanyar, and falling under Survey Nos. 3674/1147 and 3677/1148, is recorded in the name of Mohammad Yousuf Shah son of Hafiz Waliuallah Shah.”

The police statement added, “It is currently in the possession of Masood Hussain Shah son of Mohammad Yousuf Shah. The attachment has been carried out under the relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with FIR No. 48/2024 under Sections 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 7/27 of the Indian Arms Act, and Sections 16, 18, 19, 20, and 39 of the UAP Act, registered at Police Station Khanyar.

“Investigations have established that the property was acquired through illegal proceeds linked to terrorist activities. Acting under Section 25 of the UAP Act, the immovable property has been formally seized and attached following due legal procedure.

“Through this attachment notice, the owner is prohibited from selling, leasing, or transferring the said property in any manner. This action is part of the sustained campaign of Srinagar Police to dismantle the terror ecosystem in a systematic manner.

“By targeting and crippling the financial networks of terrorist organisations, Jammu & Kashmir Police aims to curb acts detrimental to the security and integrity of the nation. Srinagar Police reiterates its unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and safeguarding public peace.”

Govardhan (UP), July 5: As the world-famous Mudiya Mela will kick off in Uttar Pradesh’s Govardhan on Sunday, authorities have launched a cleanliness campaign.

Over 2 crore pilgrims are expected to reach Govardhan for the mela and perform Parikrama.

The cleanliness campaign, led by District Magistrate C.P. Singh, started on Saturday and focussed on cleanliness in key areas, including Parikrama Marg, Daanghati temple, and Giriraj ji.

DM Singh swept the land near the Govardhan temple, spreading the message of cleanliness.

As per the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government, efforts are being made to provide pilgrims with proper facilities and clean surroundings, he said.

The District Magistrate said people use polythene bags and indulge in littering as they don’t care about cleanliness, but now, as prior warnings have been given, strict action will be taken against violators.

The DM pointed out that maintaining cleanliness in the area was the responsibility of the temple management, but as it failed, “our team and locals of Govardhan are carrying out the cleanliness drive.”

Highlighting the importance of cleanliness, DM Singh said, “We aim to clean the entire Parikrama marg.”

He also shared that notices have been issued to those shops which have encroached on public land. The cleanliness campaign was made successful with the efforts of Govardhan SDM Neelam Srivastava, Govardhan Tehsil and Panchayat.

For the unversed, Mudiya Mela is observed in remembrance of Sanatan Goswami, the principal disciple of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Legends have it that when Sanatan Goswami passed away, his disciples did parikrama of the Govardhan after tonsuring their heads. Since then, this tradition has been followed.

Notably, the 468-year-old tradition continues to draw a sea of devotees.

The devotees perform a 21-km-long Parikrama of Govardhan.

The belief with the yatra is that it bestows peace and prosperity on the devotees.