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‘Maharashtra Govt Summons Kunal Kamra For Insulting ‘Traitor’, Remains Silent On Rahul Solapurkar’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray

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Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Maharashtra government summoned comedian Kunal Kamra for insulting a “traitor,” but took no action against actor Rahul Solapurkar over his “insult” of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

He also targeted the BJP over its `Saugat-e-Modi’ initiative under which special kits for Eid are being distributed among Muslims, calling it “Saugat-e-Satta” (gift of power), and accused the saffron party of hypocrisy.

“When a comment was made against the ‘traitor’ (apparent reference to Eknath Shinde), the studio where the programme was recorded was stormed, and Kamra was sent two summons (for allegedly defaming Shinde). But has even a single summons been issued to Rahul Solapurkar, who allegedly insulted Shivaji Maharaj?” Thackeray asked, speaking to reporters “What right do you have to take action against Kamra? Whose image are you trying to protect?” he added.

Thackeray also said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was trying to shield a man (Shinde) whom Kamra did not name directly in his show, but did not say anything about `the man Kamra named’. Notably, the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece `Saamana’ had earlier this week pointed out that the BJP was mum about Kamra’s direct jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the same show.

The stand-up comic, whose parody song targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to an attack by Shinde supporters on a studio here on Sunday, has been summoned by Mumbai Police. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has often used the term “traitor” for Shinde, who rebelled against Thackeray and split the party in 2022.

Actor Solapurkar recently came under fire after stating in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century Maratha warrior king, escaped from Agra Fort by bribing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s officials and not by concealing himself in a basket of sweets as per the popular account. Some right-wing organisations took exception to the term “bribe.” On the BJP’s ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ programme, Thackeray said, “Will their `Saugat-e-Satta’ remain restricted till the Bihar elections or will it continue forever? The BJP should also declare that it has given up Hindutva.” “When the Shiv Sena received overwhelming support from Muslim voters, a hue and cry was made, saying that I had abandoned Hindutva. They even coined terms like ‘Satta Jihad’. But now, the same people have reversed their position,” said Thackeray, a former BJP ally.

Criticizing the BJP’s stand on communal issues, he said, “Muslims face police action, their homes are burnt, and Hindus are only used to instigate riots against Muslims.” “The BJP spread poison against Islam for many years, and now it wants the Muslim community to vote for it,” Thackeray said, adding, “the BJP should clarify whether it wants to offer poison or food to Muslims.” He would like to see pictures of BJP’s Hindutva advocates visiting Muslim households to distribute Saugat-e-Modi kits, Thackeray added.

The Devendra Fadnavis government lacked clarity and stability, he said.

“This is an uneasy government with a large mandate, yet no one knows who will lose his or her position next. The truth behind the violence in Nagpur is still not known,” he said.

Commenting on BJP leader Prashant Koratkar’s alleged phone call to a historian in Kolhapur during which Koratkar is accused of saying derogatory things about Shivaji Maharaj, Thackeray said, “I feel Koratkar may be asked to write a 300-word essay and let off.” He was apparently referring to the last year’s Porsche crash case in Pune where the juvenile driver was initially let off and asked to write an essay on road safety.

“Does anyone even remember what happened to the absconding directors of the Badlapur school where Akshay Shinde, an accused in a sexual assault case, died in a police encounter?” Thackeray asked.

Responding to recent demands for the removal of a dog’s memorial at Raigad Fort, Thackeray said, “What happened to the ground-breaking ceremony for the Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea? An expert committee can be formed to discuss the issue of the dog’s memorial. But what legal action can be expected from a government that has forgotten the memorial to Shivaji?” Thackeray also questioned the assembly speaker’s delay in taking a decision on the Leader of Opposition’s post.

Maharashtra

Public representatives have high confidence in Shinde’s work, Uddhav Thackeray MPs did not have confidence in his leadership: Milind Deora

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Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora strongly criticised the absence of several MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction meeting. He said that only the UBT leadership can answer why UBT MPs did not attend the meeting called by his party. He said that the members who were absent from the meeting lacked faith in their party leadership. Deora said that today the people and public representatives have faith in the work and leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Eknath Shinde sahib works to strengthen the hands of those who trust in Shinde sahib’s leadership. Targeting Sanjay Raut, Milind Deora said that he is not aware of parliamentary traditions and rules. Other UBT MPs should understand what kind of meetings are held and what are the whip rules. On the issue of whip, Deora said that whip is issued only for voting in the House, not for attending any political meeting. This is a parliamentary rule and those who have been members for years should be aware of it. Milind Deora further said that Sanjay Raut sometimes abuses his own MPs, sometimes claims that all MPs are with him, sometimes says that his MPs were given money, and sometimes accuses MPs of corruption. This reflects his contradictory behavior. Sanjay Raut insulted his own MPs. With such behavior, who would want to work with him? He said that no leader has any faith left in the UBT leadership. Public representatives want their leader to be available to them. That is why many leaders still want to work under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena welcomes anyone who wants to work for the development of their area. Our aim is not to weaken anyone but to strengthen the people. Finally, Deora said that the UBT leadership needs to examine itself instead of blaming others. I can only wish them well.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Customs Department sign MoU for conservation and restoration of Mahim Fort

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The vision of the conservation and restoration of the Mumbai Mahim Fort is to revive its historical beauty. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that it is a matter of pride and honour that the Municipal Corporation is preserving this fort. An MoU was signed between the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the Customs Department today (June 18, 2026) at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters for the conservation and restoration work of Mahim Fort, which has been declared a State Protected Monument.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Principal Commissioner of Customs Department Shri Ajay Kumar Pandey, Additional Commissioner of Customs Department Nitin Tagde, Vikram Phadke, Deputy Commissioner (Commissioner Office) of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner (South Zone) Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Commissioner (South Zone) Prashant Gaikwad were also present on the occasion. Yogesh Desai, Advisor on Conservation of Ancient Heritage Vikas Dilawari, Dr. K. K. Sangle, Head of the Department of Structural Engineering, Virmata Jijabai Institute of Technology, etc. were present on the occasion.

As per the directions of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, the conservation and preservation of ancient structures in Mumbai is being done under the guidance of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi. On this basis, the Municipal Corporation has taken the initiative to conserve and revive the Mahim Fort.

Under this agreement, the dilapidated structure of Mahim Fort will be strengthened and reconstructed. The historical well present in the fort area will be searched and excavated. A pedestrian path will be made all around the interior of the fort. In addition, a protective wall will also be constructed to protect the foundation of the fort. Rs 20 crore has also been allocated for this. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the Municipal Corporation’s G (North) Department has removed the encroachments on the Mahim Fort and rehabilitated the local residents. So now help will be given to restore the glory of this fort. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi said that the Municipal Corporation has made great efforts to remove the encroachments on the Mahim Fort, which is a historical and ancient heritage, and to preserve it. Now the administration is planning to develop this fort as a tourist destination.

Principal Commissioner of the Customs Department Ajay Kumar Pandey said that apart from being a historical heritage, Mahim Fort is known as the customs station of the Customs Department. The conservation and restoration work undertaken by the Municipal Corporation will make this fort famous. Also, this fort will develop as a tourist destination for Mumbaikars. Mahim is an ancient fort and the descendants of Raja Bimbadev built this fort around the 12th and 13th centuries. Mahim was the main centre of power among the seven islands of Mumbai and this fort is a symbol of that glorious history. The Maharashtra government declared Mahim Fort as a state protected monument in 1975. The total area of ​​the fort is about 3,796.02 sq m. Currently, the fort is under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department. The existing structure of Mahim Fort was encroached upon in the form of slums. After surveying the entire area, proper documents were verified and 275 slums have been rehabilitated in flats available for project victims in Kurla and Malad. However, the restoration of a religious structure is underway.
The restoration and conservation work of the fort is proposed to be carried out under the guidance of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s G (North) Division Office, Customs Department, Advisor on Conservation of Ancient Cultural Heritage Vikas Dilawari and Dr. Sangal K. Jijabai, Head of the Structural Engineering Department of Veermata.

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Maharashtra

Operation Tiger rebel MPs in Maharashtra should be disqualified: Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Talking about the ongoing Operation Tiger of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Samajwadi Party Mumbai/Maharashtra state president and MLA Abu Asim Azmi said, “Today’s public representatives, leaders, and workers are no longer guided by ideology, they have become greedy. Those who take the votes of the people and then change parties of their own accord, their positions should be declared null and void.” Abu Asim Azmi further said that if someone contests elections on behalf of a party, he is provided with the party’s flag, banner, symbol and money. Workers are working day and night to ensure the victory of their candidate. Those representatives are elected on the basis of the party’s ideology, and people agree with this ideology, so they vote for them. However, after victory, they rebel against the party. A law should be made that if a candidate joins another party after winning, his position should be declared null and void. Taking a dig at the BJP, he said that the BJP is trying to lure, intimidate and It misuses power to intimidate and bring them into its party. If they do not join, they are sent to jail like Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, but they were proven innocent. The BJP has tried to create a rift in other parties, which is why many parties have been split into two.

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