Connect with us
Saturday,06-December-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Governor to Amit Shah — ‘Can’t dream of slur to any icon’

Published

on

The beleaguered Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah explaining his position vis-a-vis the political storm raging in the state, and asserting that he “can’t dream of any slur on icons”.

Addressing him as ‘Respected Shri Amitbhai ji’ in the two-page letter in Hindi dated December 6, the Governor has drawn attention to his recent speech, and contended that certain small portions from that address were separated to criticise him.

Koshyari said he had cited instances of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose who were inspiring icons when “we were students”, and the modern day students also want to know the current era personalities who could be their ‘ideals’.

“In that context I had given the examples of personalities like Dr B. R. Ambedkar to (Union Minister) Nitin Gadkari…..It also implied that students could even take (the late President) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam or (nuclear scientist) Dr Homi Bhabha as their idols”. If someone considers Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has raised India’s status in the world as an “ideal”, it doesn’t mean disrespect to the earlier ‘Maha Purush’… It’s not even a subject of comparison,” Koshyari said.

In an indirect swipe at his bete-noire, the Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray but without naming him, the 80-year-old Governor said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, “when many ‘big-big people’ were not stepping out of their homes, at my age, I had gone on a pilgrimage on foot to places like Shivneri, Sinhgad, Raigad, and Pratapgad”.

As far as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is concerned, he is the pride of not only Maharashtra but the whole country and Koshyari recalled his trip to the birthplace of Shivaji’s mother, Mata Jijibai in Sindhkhed, becoming the first Governor in over 30 years to go there, and that too walking.

“Respected Amitbhaiji, you will recall that in 2016, I had expressed a desire not to contest elections in 2019, and keep away from all political offices. At that time the honourable PM-ji and yourself had expressed your affection and faith in a humble worker like me due to which I accepted the post of Maharashtra Governor,” the Governor said.

Koshyari added that all the dignitaries are aware that if he commits any error he never hesitates to express regrets or apologise for his remarks.

“I cannot even dream of insulting the great people like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maharana Pratap or Shri Guru Gobind Singh who made sacrifices during the Mughal era… I appeal to you that in the current situation, please take the trouble to provide appropriate guidance,” the Governor urged.

However, the Governor’s letter failed to impress leaders of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party and others who remain firm that Koshyari should be shunted out of the state.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Waqf Board approached the Tribunal regarding extension of date, don’t worry, 100% registration is assured: Chairman Sameer Qazi

Published

on

Aurangabad: (F.A.) The last date for registration on the UMID portal for all registered waqf organisations in Maharashtra, including mosques, dargahs and graveyards, was today, December 5, 2025, which has now expired. Although most of the waqf organisations in Maharashtra have been registered on the portal, some organisations are still missing out due to unavailability of records or other paper errors. In view of this situation, Maharashtra State Waqf Board President Sameer Qazi has appealed to the concerned trustees, trustees and the Muslim community not to panic or believe in any rumours. He has confidently said that: The Waqf Board will complete the registration of every institution. Although the Supreme Court has refused to extend the date, it has allowed the Waqf Tribunal (Waqf Court). The State Waqf Board has approached the tribunal and we are confident that justice will be done there and the deadline for registration on the UMID portal will definitely be extended. Chairman Qazi expressed his firm resolve and further said that the board will not sit in a hurry without the registration of every Waqf institution in the state being completed.

Maharashtra ranks second in the country: 80 percent registration completed.

The registration of all organizations related to the Waqf Board has been completed at a fast pace on the UMID portal. The state of Maharashtra ranks second in the country in terms of registration of Waqf institutions. There are a total of 36 thousand registered Waqf properties in Maharashtra, out of which about 30 thousand (80 percent) properties of organizations have been successfully registered on the UMID portal. All the officers and staff of the Waqf Board have made additional arrangements and completed the registration process. Not only this, but 300 young technicians were hired at the Hajj House in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to expedite registration on the Omid portal, which is a commendable effort by the board.

Waqf Tribunal issues urgent notice to the central government, seeks response by December 10
Immediately after the Supreme Court’s direction, the Maharashtra Waqf Board approached the Waqf Tribunal. The tribunal has issued a notice to the central government while hearing the matter urgently. The notice asks the centre: “Why should the deadline not be extended?” and has directed it to file its reply by December 10. Due to this urgent action and notice by the tribunal, there is a strong possibility of an extension in the deadline, which has brought a big relief to the waqf institutions.

Don’t pay attention to rumors, time has not been extended.

A statement by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was circulating on TV and social media throughout the day today, in which he said that although the trustees have not received any relief, there is hope of getting an extension in time from the tribunal. He also said that no penalty will be imposed on the institutions that approach the tribunal. President Sameer Qazi, while explaining this statement, said: The Minister has not extended the time for uploading on the portal, but has only set a time of three months for checker and approval for those institutions that have already been registered. He explained that false news about the extension in time is being spread on social media, so do not be fooled by any kind of hesitation and until the official extension is done, the institutions must complete the uploading process.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Weather Update: AQI At 183 In ‘Unhealthy’ Category As Temperature Hovers Around 27°C

Published

on

WETHER

Mumbai’s air quality deteriorated to the unhealthy category on Friday morning, even as the city witnessed clear and sunny weather, according to real-time air quality monitoring data updated at 8.30 am. As per aqi.in, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 183, placing it well within the unhealthy range and raising concerns for vulnerable groups across the city.

Data showed PM2.5 levels at 100 micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 levels at 130 micrograms, both well above safe limits prescribed by health authorities. Elevated particulate matter is known to penetrate deep into the lungs, posing serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions.

Other pollutants, including carbon monoxide at 266 parts per billion, nitrogen dioxide at 16 ppb, ozone at 14 ppb and sulphur dioxide at 7 ppb, remained within controlled limits. However, high particulate matter alone is sufficient to cause breathing discomfort and eye irritation.

The city recorded a temperature of 26 to 27 degrees Celsius, with humidity around 54 per cent and wind speed at nearly 16 kmph. While the weather remained pleasant with no rainfall forecast, the atmospheric conditions failed to prevent the accumulation of fine dust particles in the lower air layers.

The seven-day outlook shows maximum temperatures ranging between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius, with clear skies continuing through the week. Despite the sunshine, pollution levels are expected to remain volatile due to vehicular emissions, construction dust and seasonal factors.

Doctors advise residents to limit prolonged outdoor exposure, especially during morning and late evening hours when pollution concentration tends to be higher. People experiencing coughing, throat irritation or breathlessness are urged to seek medical attention immediately. Use of masks, air purifiers indoors and adequate hydration has been strongly recommended.

Environmental groups have once again urged civic authorities to intensify road dust control, monitor construction activity strictly and regulate traffic emissions. Citizens are also being encouraged to use public transport and avoid unnecessary vehicular travel during peak hours.

With winter setting in, experts warn that Mumbai may witness more frequent unhealthy air days unless immediate mitigation steps are implemented.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Crime Branch raids travel agency… Fraud in the name of sending abroad illegally, police action, case registered

Published

on

Mumbai: Several travel agencies in Mumbai’s Nagpara area are defrauding people under the guise of sending them abroad. Such a complaint was received by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. These agencies do not have any permission from the Ministry of External Affairs and they charge huge amounts of money from people in the name of sending them abroad for jobs. Under the influence of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Protector of Emigrants, Bandra, in collaboration with the Mumbai Crime Branch unit, conducted a joint operation. A raid was conducted on 9 offices in KD Building, Nagpara, which were working to send them abroad without any permission. A complaint was also received regarding them. 238 passports, several documents, offer letters, visiting cards, letters used for foreign use and other documents were also recovered from their offices. The police have registered a case against them under the Passport Act, including the Immigration Act, in Nagpara. The police are investigating the matter further. This operation was carried out by DCP Raj Tilak Roshan on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending