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Maharashtra

Losing cool over criticism, Shinde-Fadnavis govt slaps cases against Sena (UBT) leaders

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Under siege from the continuous onslaught of the Opposition Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), several of its leaders have been targeted with police cases by the government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Among them are a Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, a deputy leader Sushma Andhare and MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, besides other leaders, following complaints by Dattaram Gavas, an activist of Shinde’s Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.

Sawant has been booked for ridiculing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane whom he referred to as ‘kombdi chor’ (chicken thief) at a public rally in Thane this week, ruffling feathers.

Jadhav has been slapped with a case for aping Shinde’s style of reading out a prepared speech at his October 5 Dussehra Rally in Bandra Kurla Complex.

Andhare, has also been booked — for mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises of giving employment to two crore youths — at a Thane meeting.

In a statement on the October 9 meeting, the Naupada Police Station (Thane) has named other local level leaders and activists like Anita Birje, Madhukar Deshmukh, Sachin Chavan, and Dharmarajya Party’s Rajan Raje.

Accordingly, the police have charged them under various sections of Indian Penal Code for inflammatory speech, using objectionable language, attempts to incite passions and sullying the image of CM Shinde, etc.

Sena (UBT) leaders have cried foul over the police action, terming it as a ‘political vendetta’ intended to “silence and destroy the Opposition”.

Senior farmers leader of the Sena (UBT) Kishore Tiwari said that the Shinde-Fadnavis government is “selectively targetting” party’s leaders who raise their voice against the regime to demoralise the party rank-and-file.

“Does the government have the courage to throw them in jail like other Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders? How many Opposition leaders will they imprison… This is blatant misuse of power and harassment of those who oppose them,” said Tiwari grimly.

Condemning the development, Nationalist Congress Party Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said that “the validity of this (Shinde-Fadnavis) government is still pending before the Supreme Court”, and the Opposition leaders have a fundamental right to criticise the government’s shortcomings.

“Under such circumstances, such police actions are anti-democracy and the government is trying to brow-beat the Opposition and silence them from speaking out,” Tapase added sharply.

Strongly flaying the police cases, veteran Sena (UBT) union leader Dr. Raghunath Kuchik said that the Shinde-Fadnavis government has “crossed all limits of political decency” by targeting political opponents.

“When the BJP was in the Opposition, they used foul language against the Maha Vikas Aghadi CM (Uddhav Thackeray), other ministers and party leaders, but we did not hound them with flimsy cases… The government should withdraw these police cases,” demanded Dr. Kuchik.

Congress state G.S. Sachin Sawant said this was another example of how the BJP muzzles the Opposition parties all over India.

“Although the language used by the BJP leaders is extremely derogatory and abusive, no action is taken against them. Two sets of laws are vividly seen currently, one for the bjp leaders and the other for the opposition which is extremely unfortunate,” rued Sawant.

An unfazed Andhare said that if speaking the truth is an offence, then she was ready to face all the consequences of the police case lodged against her, but would continue to raise her voice against any injustice to the people.

Though both Andhare and Jadhav said they had received no communication from the police, they said whatever they spoke is in the public domain, even as the Thane Police continues its probe.

Earlier, Thane MP Rajan Vichare had alleged that the police were under pressure from CM Shinde and even people who attended Thackeray’s Dussehra Rally (October 5) at Shivaji Park last week were being served notices or facing cases.

Maharashtra

Pahalgam terror attack: Visas of Pakistanis in the state cancelled, 55 Pakistani citizens in Maharashtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis directs action, police alert

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Mumbai: After the terrorist attack on Mumbai Pahalgam tourists, the process of collecting records of Pakistani citizens has now started in Maharashtra, along with which an order has been issued to leave India for Pakistani citizens. Regarding this, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that orders have been issued regarding Pakistani citizens, in addition, an investigation of Pakistani citizens has also been started. If any Pakistani citizen is residing in India or Maharashtra illegally, action will be taken against him. He said that after the Pahalgam attack, Pakistanis have been ordered to leave the country, in addition, their visas have also been cancelled, along with this, cancellation of medical visas is also being considered. He said that after the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, this will also be followed in Maharashtra.

Devendra Fadnavis said that the government has decided to cancel visas of Pakistani citizens. No citizen with a Pakistani visa should stay in India for more than 48 hours. Action will be taken against those Pakistanis who are staying illegally. Discussions have been held with the Home Ministry regarding this. They will strictly follow it. We have no sympathy for Pakistani actors or other artists. He said that when the enemy treats us like this, all the parties of the country unite. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had supported the then government in the Bangladesh issue. We are united. Fadnavis has said that Modi ji has announced to crush the terrorists. I am sure that Modi ji does what he says. He has kept his promise even before this. After the Pahalgam attack, Maharashtra Police is also on alert. Along with this, the police have started action in other cities including Mumbai. Devendra Fadnavis has also now given a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistanis living in Maharashtra and the work of expelling all Pakistanis from the country has been started.

There are 55 Pakistani citizens living in Maharashtra, they are residing in different districts of the state. A senior official of the Home Department said that out of them, 19 are Pakistanis, 18 in Thane city, 12 in Nagpur, three in Jalgaon, one in Pune city, one in Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Raigad. The state Home Department is very strict regarding Pakistanis and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also issued strict orders on this.

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Maharashtra

Fraud under the guise of Mumbai loan, Delhi call center exposed, fraud in the name of Bajaj Finance, three accused arrested, use of 105 mobile phones in fraud.

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Mumbai: The Cyber ​​Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch has exposed a gang that is fooling people by luring them with interest-free loans. The complainant, a 70-year-old senior citizen, filed a complaint at the Cyber ​​Police Station, West Mumbai, after which the police took action and traced these fraudsters and also busted a call center in Delhi from where people were being fooled. The complainant was cheated from August 28, 2023 to November 2, 2024. The complainant was told that he could get a loan from Bajaj Finance Delhi at zero interest. Under the guise of this, the complainant received Rs 1.14 crore from banks in the name of fees for various matters. After that, the Crime Branch conducted an investigation and conducted a raid at Maximum Marketing Private Limited, Anand Vihar in Delhi and busted this call center. In this, the police arrested Shahzad Lal Khan alias Rehman, 30, Anuj Uttam Singh Raut alias Anil Kumar Yadav. 30-year-old and Aamir Hussain, 34, were arrested. 105 mobile phones and a laptop were recovered from their possession.

The investigation concluded that this mobile number has been used in cyber crimes across the country and this number has been used in 132 crimes. This operation was carried out by the Mumbai Crime Branch and Cyber ​​Cell. This operation was carried out on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Pansalkar, Special Commissioner Devin Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Crime Lakshmi Gautam. DCP Crime Detection Datta Nalawade said that Mumbai Police has appealed to the citizens to remain alert against cyber fraud and not to invest in the lure of profit in the name of high investment. Do not fall for the trap of providing loans without documents on social media. Do not make any kind of investment on the advice of acquaintances and do not download any kind of mobile app. If anyone is a victim of fraud, immediately contact 1930.

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Pahalgam We Will Revenge – But How?

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Kamar Ansari (Mumbai), April 25: The nation is still reeling from the shock of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Due to the widespread narrative that terrorism has been eradicated from Kashmir, over 2.5 million tourists flocked to the region—only for this tragic attack to take place. There is widespread anger among the public, demanding that every drop of blood and every tear shed in Kashmir be avenged, and that Pakistan be taught a lesson.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are suggesting that the Pahalgam incident should not be politicized. Their sudden concern about politicization seems to stem from the fact that this attack has exposed the hollowness of the government’s claims. Had this administration refrained from politicizing tragic events over the past ten years, they wouldn’t be in a position today to ask others not to do the same.

The Pahalgam attack was inhumane and despicable, and it must be avenged—but what does “revenge” really mean?

The real threat to the nation lies with those who believe that voting for the BJP and electing Modi as Prime Minister constitutes revenge, and that doing so will drive terrorists back into their hideouts. The true target for retribution should be Pakistan and the terrorists—not India’s Muslims. Will attacking mosques and madrasas or targeting Indian Muslims serve as justice for Pahalgam? Some people feel a strong urge to act this way. But the battle is against Pakistan, not against patriotic Indian Muslims who are citizens of this country.

After the Uri and Pulwama attacks, there were loud proclamations of revenge and punishment in Parliament and public gatherings. A “surgical strike” was carried out across the Line of Control in response to Uri, and we were told that Pakistan and the terrorists had been crippled and taught a lesson. Yet, the threat persists. Indira Gandhi truly taught Pakistan a lesson in 1971 by waging a direct war and splitting the country into two. Still, Pakistan did not learn.

So what is the Modi government planning to do now? The government needs to act—not indulge in propaganda. Even adhering to this one principle would be a significant step forward.

Prime Minister Modi has called a cabinet meeting and made some swift decisions. The Pakistani embassy in India has been shut down. All Pakistani nationals in India have been ordered to leave within 24 hours. Even the Wagah border has been temporarily closed. It’s being said that this marks the beginning of cutting diplomatic ties with Pakistan—but what about cricket? India and Pakistan play matches in Dubai, and large numbers of Indian fans attend. Jay Shah heads global cricket affairs and must clearly state that India will no longer play with Pakistan. Chanting “Pakistan Murdabad” in India while playing cricket with them abroad must come to an end.

Deeply affected by the Pahalgam attack, Modi canceled his visit to Saudi Arabia, and Rahul Gandhi is also cutting short his U.S. trip. After such an attack, convening an all-party meeting is standard procedure. But what will that achieve when the same government suppresses opposition voices and refuses to allow discussions on issues from Kashmir to Manipur in Parliament?

The Home Minister does not appear serious about national security. He has failed to protect the lives of citizens, and his resignation is now a common demand across party lines. If the government ignores this demand, then such meetings are just for show.

The abrogation of Article 370 was a welcome move, but what did we gain by stripping Jammu & Kashmir of full statehood? The government offers no answers. Meanwhile, it has slashed the defense budget and made deep cuts in military personnel. This is a dangerous game. Soldiers in Pulwama were denied aircraft for transport, and now in Pahalgam, the safety of thousands of tourists was left in limbo.

Now that the attack has happened and innocent people have died, the government is scrambling to respond. While the Pahalgam attack is inhumane, inciting Hindu-Muslim conflict in its aftermath is even more inhumane.

Local villagers in Pahalgam immediately began helping the injured and their families. A young local man, Syed Hussain Shah, tried to resist the terrorists. When he attempted to snatch a gun from them, he was shot. He pleaded with the attackers, saying, “These people are our guests—please don’t kill them.” In the end, he lost his life. Syed was not a Hindu, but the terrorists still killed him.

Despite tourists reporting that locals helped them during the crisis, the BJP’s IT cell is painting this incident with communal colors. The attack in Pahalgam was not just on tourists—it was an attack on all of us. The people of Kashmir have shown humanity and compassion, saying, “We are also wounded.” We must respect their sentiments.

Our fight is against Pakistan and terrorist organizations. Anyone trying to vilify Indian Muslims or Kashmiri locals in this fight clearly does not want to solve the nation’s problems—they simply want to politicize Pahalgam, just as they did with Pulwama.

The government must now think only in terms of national interest. Hindus and Muslims in this country are capable of deciding among themselves how to coexist.

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