Mumbai, Oct 2: In a sharp critique of the ruling establishment on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said that remembering the Father of the Nation is more crucial today than ever before. Warning against the modern tendency to reduce national icons to photo opportunities and symbolic rituals, Thackeray declared that while those in power may use Gandhi only for ceremonial tributes, true democracy cannot survive without his core teachings.

In his post on X, the MNS chief criticised the superficial manner in which great figures are commemorated today. “Our remembrance of great figures is often limited to their birth and death anniversaries – garlanding statues and taking photographs. Equating memorials solely with statues and posing next to them has become our new form of paying tribute,” Thackeray noted.

Taking direct aim at the political climate under the current regime, Thackeray highlighted the growing intolerance towards public dissent.

He emphasised that Mahatma Gandhi’s primary legacy was empowering citizens to question authority — a virtue that the current “powers-that-be” actively attempt to stifle. “The moment questions are raised, those in power and their army of online trolls are eager to brand you an ‘anti-national’,” Thackeray stated, raising concerns over the suppression of peaceful demonstrations, the use of state force against protesters, and the erosion of autonomy in critical constitutional bodies like the Election Commission.

Defining what he considers Mahatma Gandhi’s greatest contribution to India, the MNS chief said it was not merely political freedom, but the common individual’s inherent right to say “no” to state overreach.

“The government possesses the law, the brute force of power, and the ability to alter laws to suit its convenience… Yet, Gandhiji demonstrated that despite all this, the government cannot claim ownership over the common person’s capacity for rational thought or over their conscience,” he remarked.

He warned citizens against systematic efforts on digital platforms and social media propaganda channels — often dubbed “WhatsApp Universities” — to compromise independent thinking and public awareness.

Reiterating that the public remains sovereign in a democratic republic, Thackeray stressed that political agitations, street marches, and citizen participation are essential tools to hold ruling administrations accountable.

Concluding the statement, the MNS leader reaffirmed that while rulers may only embrace Gandhi when it suits their immediate political convenience, the health of Indian democracy depends on preserving his spirit of peaceful resistance and moral courage.

Earlier, Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena(UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray addressed a joint press conference on Tuesday to unveil the blueprint for a public protest march scheduled for October 4. The demonstration, as per the parties, is directed against the Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the body of functioning as an “extension of the ruling party” and deceiving voters through the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

“We have been consistently raising concerns over EVM manipulation and electoral malpractices for years. Back in 2017-18, I met several political leaders regarding these issues. This march stands against the humiliation of voters and the subversion of our electoral integrity. Whatever we have to say, we will deliver directly from the stage on October 4,” Thackeray stated.

Mumbai, Oct 1: Launching a direct and fiery broadside at Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday warned the state government against making tactical errors, daring the authorities to arrest him ahead of CJP’s scheduled demonstrations from October 2 in Mumbai.

“Do not repeat the mistake committed on July 20. If you want to arrest us, do it right now,” he declared during a press conference in Mumbai, setting a tense backdrop for his party’s upcoming agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Calling Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar a “traitor to the nation,” Dipke demanded his immediate resignation over allegations of widespread electoral roll manipulation.

He accused the ruling coalition of engaging in state-sponsored disenfranchisement and using the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a political tool.

“Whoever sits as the Chief Election Commissioner must be transparent. The 13 crore voters whose names were deleted across the country will hit the streets, and when they do, the public will demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar’s bosses,” Dipke asserted.

He further demanded that the Election Commission freeze the recent Special Summary Revision (SIR) lists and conduct upcoming elections strictly using the 2005 voter lists.

Addressing questions regarding police authorisation for the demonstrations, Dipke rejected the necessity of official approval, drawing a historical parallel to the Indian freedom struggle.

“Which of our protests was ever granted permission? We are protesting democratically against the ruling power — why would they permit it? Had Mahatma Gandhi asked the British for permission to protest, they would have refused him too. Permission or not, we will march,” he said.

Taking a direct swipe at CM Fadnavis over his recent remarks that protesters face a three-day jail term before securing bail, Dipke scoffed, “Keep me in jail for three months instead of three days… I will return to the streets again and again,” echoing Fadnavis’s famous political slogan.

He also questioned the selective granting of venue permissions: “If Devendra Fadnavis can hold a political rally at Shivaji Park and ask for votes, why are we barred from protesting at the very same site?”

Dipke announced that CJP will extend full support to the opposition’s joint agitation on October 4. While Dipke will be on a nationwide tour, CJP cadres will assemble in force in Mumbai, setting aside party lines to join a larger united front against the ECI.

Looking ahead to future electoral dynamics, Dipke highlighted the power of young voters. He said, “In the 2029 elections, Gen Z will constitute the single largest voter demographic. It is our duty to deliver the kind of country they envision and deserve.”

Addressing recent public criticism of his high-end wardrobe choices during political campaigns, Dipke dismissed the political chatter surrounding his Rs 30,000 shoes. “I wear Rs 30,000 shoes because I can afford them. I am a massive Shah Rukh Khan fan — it was simply a fan moment and a reel,” he clarified.

With opposition parties gearing up for a massive protest outside the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on October 6, CJP’s Mumbai agitation on October 2 marks the start of escalating confrontation between opposition factions and the Election Commission.

Mumbai, Oct 1: Against the backdrop of the severe drought-like situation prevailing across 265 talukas in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday appealed to the public to celebrate the upcoming Navratri festival and other religious and cultural events with utmost simplicity to stand firmly by the farmers, the nation’s providers.

He also urged Shiv Sena office-bearers, public festival committees (Ganesh and Navratri mandals), and citizens to contribute the funds saved from festival expenditure directly as relief to drought-affected farmers.

“Forego lavish festival celebrations this season and reallocate event funds towards the relief and rehabilitation of drought-affected farmers across Maharashtra,” he said in a post on X.

This year, due to failed rains in Vidarbha, Marathwada and other parts of the state, a shadow of drought has spread across most regions.

With nature’s fury ruining standing crops, thousands of farmers are left devastated.

Speaking on this critical situation, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde reiterated his stance, stating that “our Baliraja (farmers) have the primary right over the state treasury”.

He emphasised that during such times of crisis, the Mahayuti government and the Shiv Sena stand resolutely behind farmers with full strength.

While official government-level relief measures are actively underway, he noted that it is equally vital for everyone to step forward as a society and contribute during this hour of need.

He said celebrating upcoming festivals with grandeur and fanfare while farmers are in distress and anxiety would be inappropriate.

Therefore, public committees, Shiv Sena office-bearers, social organisations, and citizens should observe festivals. Instead of lavish expenditure on celebrations, the saved funds should be redirected towards direct relief and rehabilitation for drought-affected farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde expressed confidence that if everyone comes to the aid of food providers during their time of crisis, overcoming this natural disaster would be well within reach.

He noted that if saving festival costs allows society to wipe away the tears of even a single farmer and bring a smile to that person’s face, it would truly be genuine service to Goddess Jagadamba.

Reaffirming the Mahayuti administration’s commitment to the farming sector, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said the government has prioritized mobilizing resources.

However, he called for a broader collective effort to support farmers battling agrarian distress.

“The first claim on the treasury of this state belongs to our farmers,” he said, adding that when farmers are battling the dire circumstances of drought, it is a collective moral and social responsibility to stand firmly by their side. He further said it would not be appropriate to celebrate upcoming religious or cultural festivals with great pomp and show while farmers remain gripped by anxiety.

With dry spells affecting multiple districts, the state government is actively deploying relief measures.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said unified public participation, alongside government assistance, would help the state overcome this natural adversity and restore long-term security to rural Maharashtra.