Maharashtra
Maharashtra: Nana Patole’s resignation accepted, a leader close to Rahul Gandhi may take over, know who?

Mumbai : After handing over the responsibility of state president to former Odisha minister Bhakt Charan Das, the Congress has decided the new chief of Maharashtra. The party has accepted the resignation given by Nana Patole after the disappointing performance in the assembly elections. If sources are to be believed, the party can announce the name of the new president in the next few days. Harshvardhan Sapkal, who comes from Buldhana, is considered to be the successor of Nana Patole. If Harshvardhan becomes the new state president of the party, then this post will remain with the leader of Vidarbha. Harshvardhan comes from the western Vidarbha region. He is considered close to Rahul Gandhi.
Harshvardhan Sapkal’s political career has started from the grassroots level, from Zila Parishad member to MLA. He was the Zila Parishad President from 1999 to 2002. At that time he was known as the youngest president of Maharashtra. He was also a Congress MLA between 2014 and 2019. Since the state presidents are being appointed in the backdrop of the upcoming local body elections, the new president will have a big challenge to win these elections. Harshvardhan Sapkal is currently the National President of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organization of the Congress. He played an important role in the creation of Gram Swarajya based on the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. Sapkal has experience in organizing nation building youth camps based on Sarvodaya ideas, active participation in village cleanliness campaigns and Adarsh Gram Movement.
He was an MLA from Buldhana between 2014 and 2019. During this period, he implemented a water conservation management project in the constituency. Vijay Wadettiwar’s name was also included in the race for the state president, but it is believed that the party high command has approved the name of Harshvardhan Sapkal, who is close to Rahul Gandhi. Sapkal’s name may be announced soon. Harsh- vardhan Sapkal is currently 57 years old. He has studied till graduation. After the state president of Maharashtra, Mumbai can also get a new president. Currently, Varsha Gaikwad is in charge there. She has become an MP from an MLA. On the other hand, his sister Jyoti Gaikwad has won from his MLA seat.
Maharashtra
Urban Naxals: Sule urges Maha to review security Bill amid Secretariat’s move to seek public views

Mumbai, March 15: NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday attacked the state government saying that the Bill to check the ‘Urban Naxal’ menace known as the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2024 undermines the fundamental rights of citizens.
Supriya Sule said that through this Bill, the right of common people to speak against the government will be taken away.
In a truly healthy democracy, dissenting opinions are respected and the principle of democracy also values Opposition voices, as they ensure that those in power remain accountable and respect public opinion, Supriya Sule added.
She has urged the government to review the draft of this Bill and ensure that constitutional values are not violated.
Sule chose to target the government after the Maharashtra Legislative Secretariat, through an advertisement in national newspapers, appealed to the citizens and non-government organisations among others, to submit suggestions and objections till April 1 on the Bill.
The Secretariat’s move comes after the state Assembly during the Winter Session decided to refer it to a committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule for further deliberations.
In her post regarding the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2024 on X, Sule said, “In the proposed ‘Prevention of certain unlawful activities by individuals and organisations and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto’, the definition of “illegal acts” seems to grant unlimited powers to government agencies.
“This effectively gives the government a licence to establish a Police Raj, which could be misused against individuals, institutions, or organisations that express constructive Opposition in a democratic manner.
“This Bill undermines the very concept of “We, the People of India.” By granting the administration unchecked powers, there is a risk that individuals may be harassed out of sheer vindictiveness.
“Criticising government policies and decisions, peacefully protesting, or organising marches could all be deemed illegal acts. This Bill disregards the principles of ideological diversity and directly infringes upon citizens’ constitutional rights.”
“Furthermore, the Bill grants the government the power to interfere in certain judicial processes, posing a direct threat to judicial independence. Some of its provisions encroach upon fundamental constitutional rights such as Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Association, and the Right to Fair Trial.”
“Historically, the British attempted to introduce a similar law (The Rowlatt Act) to suppress opposition during colonial rule. This Bill is a direct denial of the core principles of the Indian Constitution, and we strongly condemn it. We urge the government to review the draft of this Bill and ensure that constitutional values are not violated,” said Sule.
The Bill, which was presented by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state Assembly on December 18 last year, proposes to contain ‘Urban Naxal’ menace and provide more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and organisations.
He said that the Bill is not aimed to suppress genuine dissent but to weed out the ‘Urban Naxal’ bastions.
The Bill proposes jail term and penalty payable by unlawful organisations and powers to take possession of places and forfeit funds.
The Bill is crafted on the lines of the Public Security Act passed by Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for effective monitoring of unlawful activities of Naxal frontal organisations or similar organisations.
General
‘Animal Lives Matter’ Only During Bakri Eid: Netizen Criticises As Viral Video Shows Long Queue Outside Mutton Shop On Holi

Vasai-Virar: A video became popular depicting a long line on Holi day outside a mutton shop in Virar. An X user shared a video highlighting the waiting line of Virar locals purchasing mutton (goat meat) from Azeez Mutton shop and remarked in the caption that called out people for criticising animal slaughter only on Bakri Eid but turns a blind eye on other festivals where people enjoy meat.
The post was initially shared by a user on X (@single_soul1), reacting to the lengthy line outside the mutton shop, pointing out that the Jain community does not object to Hindu celebrations where meat is consumed, yet it seems to only condemn Islamic festivals for doing likewise.
The X user (@HumairaMirza7) reposted the post with caption that stated: “Now, during Bakra Eid, everyone will suddenly remember ‘Animal lives matter’., There was a huge queue at Azeez Mutton shop in Virar during Holi.”
When it comes to certain restrictions that are imposed on religious customs, a unfair play is always seen amongst the communities claiming the restrictions are only placed on them and not the other religions or customs.
Crime
Communal tension on Holi in Ratnagiri Rajapur: Situation peaceful

Mumbai: The situation is peaceful after the communal tension on Shimga Holi in Ratnagiri Rajapur, Maharashtra. During the Holi Shimga procession at Jamia Masjid in Ratnagiri Rajapur, people of a particular community tried to damage the door of the mosque, after which the situation deteriorated here, but the police have registered a case in this matter under various sections and the Police Act. Police have registered a case in this case against Sanjay Khopade, Ankit Arvind Khatkar, Prajit Khopade, Dashrath Dudhgavkar, Prashant Marathe, Amit Kadam, Shopnil Balkarkar, Prashan Devasthali, Mahesh Narayan Reddy, Sujit Ramesh Shinde, Prasad Masurkar, Shubham Pawar, Raju Murte and others. All of them are residents of Rajapur Ratnagiri.
On the night of March 12, miscreants forcibly entered the Jama Masjid while the Shimga Holi procession was being taken out through that route. The mob is also accused of forcibly damaging the gate. The police have registered a case in this matter. Also, to worsen the situation, people of a particular community also raised slogans of Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev and violated the prohibitory orders, after which the police have registered a case.
The situation in Ratnagiri is peaceful, but tension persists. SP Ratnagiri Dhananjay Kulkarni said that a case of violation of prohibitory orders has been registered because a crowd had gathered near the Jama Masjid. The situation here is peaceful, but the market of rumors is active. He appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumors. The police have tightened security in the area. According to tradition, there is a custom of placing a stick on the stairs of Jawahar Chowk Jama Masjid in Rajapur village and saluting and coconut and garland are offered from here. After that the procession starts, but tension spread at night when the crowd forcibly attacked the gate while shouting Jai Shri Ram slogans.
Assembly member Nitesh Rane said that the festival of Shimga and Holi is celebrated according to tradition in Ratnagiri, so there is no tension here. Some people are trying to spoil the atmosphere. While the festival of Holi is celebrated peacefully here, Hindus and Muslims live together. There is no tension or tension. The situation is peaceful. He said that an attempt has been made to mislead by presenting this incident on social media, while the facts are different. When the route of the procession is like this and it is a tradition, it is also important to find out who closed the gate of the mosque and what is the reason behind it. He said that Muslims also welcome the Holi procession and there is mutual brotherhood.
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