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Maharashtra Govt Promises Crackdown On Panchayats For Granting Illegal Permissions To Erect Giant Hoardings

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Mumbai: The government informed the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that it will act against gram panchayats granting “illegal” permissions for erecting giant hoardings.

A government resolution (GR) issued on November 26 by the Rural Development Department directed all gram panchayats to refrain from granting such permissions, warning of action against violations. The GR, issued following a directive from the High Court in August, emphasises that under the Gram Panchayat Act, 1959, gram panchayats lack authority to grant permissions or issue no-objection certificates for advertising hoardings within their jurisdiction.

The resolution mandates the immediate removal of unauthorised hoardings and calls for strict adherence to these instructions. “Action will be taken against those involved in illegal activities as per the provisions of the prevailing law. All Gram Panchayats in the state should take immediate action to remove unauthorized advertisement boards/hoardings within their limits. Everyone should strictly follow these instructions,” the GR read.

Additional government pleader Savina Crasto submitted an affidavit before a bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata, along with a copy of the GR. Crasto said that as per the GR, action would be taken against those committing illegal acts.

Issue Of Illegal Giant Hoardings Gains Prominence

The issue of illegal giant hoardings gained prominence after the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) issued notices to hoarding owners in Navi Mumbai, asking them to remove unauthorised billboards following the collapse of a giant hoarding in Ghatkopar in May. The collapse, caused by heavy rains and winds, resulted in 17 deaths and over 70 injuries.

The tragedy prompted agencies, including the BMC, to conduct surveys and crack down on illegal giant hoardings. Subsequently, hoarding owners and advertising agencies challenged notices issued by MSRDC and CIDCO in the high court, claiming they had permissions from gram panchayats. However, the court refused relief, allowing planning authorities to demolish illegal hoardings when owners failed to remove them voluntarily. On May 30, the agencies had agreed to dismantle the hoardings by the end of August.

Maharashtra

Big decision of Shani Shingnapur Devasthan, 167 employees dismissed, including 114 Muslim employees

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Ahilyanagar: Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahilyanagar has taken a big decision. 167 employees working at Shani Devasthan have been dismissed from work. Among the dismissed employees were 114 Muslim employees. Shani Devasthan has given an explanation that the employees were dismissed due to irregularities and non-compliance with discipline. 

Meanwhile, for the past few days, Hindu organizations had been pressuring the Muslim employees to be fired. On the fourth day of Shani Dev, a protest was held on behalf of the entire Hindu community due to the work being done by Muslim people. 

A warning was given that a large march would be taken out by the entire Hindu community outside the temple on June 14.

The controversy had escalated over the appointment of Muslim employees at the famous religious place Shri Kshetra Shani Shingnapur Temple in Ahilyanagar district. Hindu organizations have become aggressive against the 114 Muslim employees working at the Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust. The organization demanded that the trust immediately remove all Muslim employees from work. Otherwise, it had also warned that a big march would be taken out by the entire Hindu community outside the temple on June 14. 

On May 21, 2025, Muslim craftsmen installed a grill on the holy platform of the temple and cleaned and painted the platform of Lord Shani. The matter had heated up even more then. As soon as the information about this incident came to light, the Maharashtra Temple Federation and Hindu organizations raised strong objections. After that, the temple’s board of trustees has decided to remove all Muslim employees. The temple trust had given a clarification in this regard, according to which it has admitted that 114 Muslim employees work in the trust. However, according to the trust, none of these Muslim employees are on duty in the main sanctum or on the platform of the temple. These employees are mainly working in the agriculture department, waste management department and education-related work. Out of these, 99 employees have been absent from work for the last five months and their salaries have also been stopped. The remaining 15 employees have been serving for many years, some of whom have more than 20 years of experience. Hindu organizations were aggressive in demanding the dismissal of 114 Muslim employees working at the Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust. They had also warned of taking out a protest tomorrow (June 14) in this regard. 

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Maharashtra

One arrested from Dombivali with firearms

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Mumbai: Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has claimed to have seized 4 country-made pistols and 35 live cartridges worth Rs 7.5 lakh from a suspect who was coming to sell weapons. The ATS had received information that a 35-year-old man was going to sell weapons on Mahatma Gandhi Road in Dombivali, adjoining Mumbai. The ATS team laid a trap and searched him and recovered 3 country-made pistols and 35 live cartridges from his possession. A case has been registered against the accused at ATS Kala Chowki under other sections including the Arms Act. The accused was also arrested with a firearm during technical investigation. So far, the police have recovered 4 firearms, 35 live cartridges and 2 migraines, which are said to be worth Rs 7.5 lakh. Further investigation is underway.

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Maharashtra

After occupying the Dargah in a village of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, what is the social boycott of Muslims doing?

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Mumbai: After occupying an ancient shrine of Ramzan Ali Shah Baba in the Goha area of ​​Ahmednagar, Maharashtra and installing an idol there, a social boycott of Muslims is now being imposed here. If any non-Muslim in the village buys, sells or transacts with the Muslims of the village, the non-Muslim mischievous elements here impose a fine on him. Such an undemocratic and immoral environment has been going on in Maharashtra under the nose of the BBJP government since 2023, and the government has remained a silent spectator.

Such an expression was expressed by Tushar Gandhi at a meeting organized by an organization called ‘Hum Bharat Ke Log’ at Mumbai’s Islam Gymkhana under the leadership of Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf alias Moin Mian. Former Maharashtra Minister and Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan, former MIM MLA Waris Pathan, Nizamuddin Raein, social activist Feroz Methi Borwala, Javed Janeja, Saeed Noori and other socio-political and national figures were present at that time. Where it was decided that soon a delegation would meet the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and both Deputy Chief Ministers, besides the leaders of all political parties, on this issue.

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