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Maharashtra awaits SC nod for bullock cart race

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The Maharashtra government is awaiting a nod from the Supreme Court for an almost 400-year-old tradition of bullock cart race that was banned by the Bombay High Court.

Called ‘Shankarpaat’, the bullock cart race is a traditional attraction at the fairs in villages across Maharashtra.

It starts soon after the Ganesh festival and continues right through the remaining Kharif, the entire rabi season and ends around April, ahead of summer.

It is not just popular because of the crowds it attracts, but it gives a push to the local economy wherever the events are held coinciding with fairs. This is a popular sport among the farming community.

Similar bullock cart races are held in Karnataka too, especially the areas that are adjoining Maharashtra.

There have been obvious comparisons with Jallikattu, another traditional sport from Tamil Nadu related to bullocks.

The Nagaraja case had resulted in the Supreme Court banning all such bull-related sports. While in Jallikattu, the men are directly in contact with the bullock, pouncing on the running bull, holding it by the hump and using other means to tame it, in Shankarpaat or the bullock cart race, a pair of bulls or a single bull will race along with the cart with the farmer holding the reins and goading the animal.

In April 2017, the state government passed an act that regularised the sport of Shankarpaat.

A PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court, which put a ban on the bullock cart races.

After the ban, the Maharashtra government approached the Supreme Court, which referred the matter to a five-judge bench.

This year, possibly as an antidote to the lockdown induced lull, there have been multiple attempts in Maharashtra where local farmers have resorted to organising such bullock cart races.

On Sunday, Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar accompanied by the state’s Animal Husbandry Commissioner Shailesh Kende met Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and the Maharashtra government’s counsels on the issue.

Patil told IANS: “We are hoping that the Supreme Court will be hearing our case on Tuesday.”

Kedar was supposed to attend the hearing, which was originally expected on Monday, but rushed back to Mumbai for a meeting.

“This is a topic very close to the hearts of hundreds and thousands of farmers in Maharashtra. It also impacts the rural economy,” Kedar said before leaving for Maharashtra.

Bharatiya Bailgada Sanghatana representative Ramkrishna Takalkar, who also accompanied the government delegation, said: “We farmers look after our bullocks just like our family members. There is no torture or cruelty involved with the animal during the bullock cart races, it is a misinformation campaign by animal lovers. The bullocks are fed regularly. What would we get by torturing the animal?”

Takalkar focussed on the economic aspects of the bullock cart races in Maharashtra.

“If there are no race events at the local village fairs, the farmers have valid question to ask: why should we continue to have these bulls?”

He had an even more pertinent question: “On the one hand, you allow horse races and on the other, you ban bullock cart races? Why the partiality?”

Maharashtra

BMC claims to have removed lights from cars after Mayor Ritu Tavre and VIP’s car had lights on, administration clarifies

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Mumbai: After the video of flashing lights on the car of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and VIP cultural of BMC officials went viral, the BMC has claimed to remove flashing lights and flashing lights from the cars of all government officials. According to the BMC, there were reports in the media about flashing lights being installed on the vehicles of municipal corporation officials. In this regard, the administration has clarified that the vehicles are provided to the officials after assuming office. As soon as the issue of flashing lights on these vehicles came to light, the flashing lights (flasher lights) installed on the vehicles of the officials were removed. It should be noted that the BMC took action when a debate broke out on social media regarding the VVIP cultural installed on Mayor Ritu Tawade’s car and now the BMC administration has clarified the issue and removed the lights from the cars. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ordered the removal of red lights from the cars of ministers and others against the VVIP cultural. After that, criticism started over the installation of the light on the BMC Mayor’s car. Now the BMC has claimed to have removed the lights from all the cars.

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Maharashtra

Thane Police Announce Traffic Diversions In Dombivli For Gudi Padwa Procession On March 19

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Mumbai: The Thane Traffic Police have issued a traffic control notification for the Dombivli area ahead of the Gudi Padwa celebrations scheduled on March 19. Authorities expect large crowds to gather for a traditional welcome procession, prompting several traffic restrictions and diversions to ensure smooth vehicular movement and public safety.

According to the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat of Thane City, the procession will begin at 6:30 am from Bhagshala Maidan in Dombivli West. The rally will proceed towards Shiv Mandir Road–Char Rasta via Kopar Bridge, eventually passing through Bajiprabhu Chowk and Phadke Road in Dombivli East.

The event is being organised by Shri Ganesh Mandir Sansthan, Dombivli East, as part of the Gudi Padwa New Year celebrations. Officials said the procession will include traditional cultural performances such as Lezim Pathak, Sanai Choughada, bhajans, and Dindi groups, along with participation from various social organisations and community groups. A large number of residents, including youth, women and families, are expected to take part in the celebrations.

Police have warned that heavy congestion is likely in areas including Tilak Road, Ganapati Mandir Road, Chheda Road, Phadke Road, Madan Thackeray Chowk, Bajiprabhu Chowk, Modern Café junction, Chintamani Jewellers Road, Agarkar Road and the IDBI Bank stretch. To manage the situation, entry restrictions and diversions have been imposed at multiple points.

Vehicular movement on Phadke Road between Bajiprabhu Chowk and Apadatar Chowk will remain closed. Vehicles approaching the stretch will be diverted via Nehru Road towards Dombivli Station and Lokmanya Tilak Road through Savarkar Road and Indira Chowk.

Entry for private buses and heavy vehicles heading towards Tilak Chowk from Kalyan Road via Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circle in Dombivli East will also be restricted. Such vehicles will be required to take a U-turn at Gharada Circle and proceed towards their destination.

Additionally, vehicles moving from Nehru Road towards Ganesh Mandir Road will not be permitted beyond the Ganesh Mandir Gate on Nehru Cause Road. Motorists travelling via Chheda Road towards the Ganesh Temple will be stopped near Tulsi Sweet Corner and diverted through Ganesh Mandir Road, Apte Road, Shivaji Path and Dr Mukherjee Road.

Further closures will be enforced at Samrat Chowk, Nana Shankar Sheth Road and Samrat Ashok Chowk when the procession passes through these stretches. Vehicles will be diverted via Ghanshyam Gupte Road, MG Road and Retibandar Road depending on the location.

Traffic officials have urged motorists to avoid the affected routes during the procession hours and follow the designated diversions to prevent congestion. Commuters have also been advised to plan their travel accordingly as the procession is expected to attract large crowds across several key roads in Dombivli.

Authorities said the traffic arrangements have been made to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and public safety during the festive celebrations.

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Crime

Mumbai: FIR Filed Against 3 Hawkers After Video Of Namaz At Malad Railway Station Goes Viral

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Mumbai: An FIR was filed against three hawkers after a video of them offering namaz at Malad railway station went viral online, the railway police said.

The RPF registered a case under Section 147 of the Railway Act for trespass, while the GRP filed another under BNS Section 168 following the station master’s complaint. After the video went viral, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had also demanded action.

Slamming the viral video, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had said that an FIR will be filed regarding all this. While speaking to news agency Media, “Openly, at Malad railway station in Mumbai, on top of the station platform, a small mandap-like structure has been made and namaz has started being offered there… An FIR will be filed regarding all this.”

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