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Maharashtra: Shinde In (M)Ad Rush To Control Damage; DCM Sulks, Avoids CM

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Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his party slipped in damage-control mode on Wednesday by releasing yet another full-page advertisement to “correct” the previous omissions and announced a ‘coordination committee’ to look after the alliance affairs even as the miffed Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis skipped public appearance with Shinde for the second consecutive day.

Based on the same survey quoted in previous advertisement, the advertisement appeared in select newspapers on Wednesday said 49.3 per cent of people wanted the united leadership of Shinde and Fadnavis along with a prominent photograph of the duo. The advertisement also sought to correct past mistakes by incorporating pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the de facto in-charge of the BJP’s affairs in Maharashtra and those of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe, the mentor of CM Shinde. The advertisement also proclaimed that 46.4 per cent of people wanted the BJP-Sena alliance government again in the state.

However, in an attempt to correct the previous mistakes, the advertisement committed new mistakes by adding photographs of Shiv Sena ministers at the bottom. Those included the ministers with shoddy performance whom the BJP wanted to be dropped from the cabinet. Questions were also being raised about who gave the advertisements.

One of the ministers Shambhuraj Desai’s statement, “Some ‘unknown well wisher’ of the party must have placed the advertisement” provided fodder for the opposition criticism. National Congress Party’s national working president and MP Supriya Sule wondered, “I am in search of that well-wisher who gave advertisements worth crores of rupees in newspapers. I think today’s design came from Delhi and that possibility cannot be ruled out.”

Unknown ‘well-wisher’

Asked what could have prompted the new advertisement on Wednesday, Sule quipped, “An invisible hand from Delhi.”
Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said the BJP and Shinde-led Sena should call for the elections immediately if they are so confident of enjoying public support.
“The ruling side claimed that the ad was placed by a well-wisher. We would like to know who is that well-wisher with so much money,” he said, referring to Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai’s claim that the advertisement on Tuesday was probably given by a well-wisher of their party.

Pawar also pointed out that most of the Sena ministers featuring in Wednesday’s ad are controversial figures.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that the fresh advertisement was the result of an earful from Fadnavis. “It has become clear what is in their mind. But everything is not good. The government will collapse like a house of cards. There is a proxy war between Shinde and BJP,” he added.

Meanwhile, DCM Fadnavis, who had skipped his scheduled programs at Kolhapur on Tuesday, also did so on Wednesday and avoided a program where he was supposed to share stage with CM Shinde.  In fact, Fadnavis cancelled all appointments for next few days out of Mumbai owing to inflammation of the tissues in sinuses due to which he has been advised to avoid air-travel. However, on Wednesday evening he was scheduled to share dais with CM at the platinum jubilee function of the MSRTC, which he skipped leading to raised eyebrows and speculations that something has gone very wrong within the alliance.

BJP-Shiv Sena Crossfire

The cross-fire between the other BJP and Shiv Sena leaders too continued on Wednesday. BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP and former agriculture minister Anil Bonde said, “A frog can not become an Oxen, how much it may swell,” in a cryptic reference to CM Shinde. “Shinde is a good Chief Minister, the people have accepted him. But, his coterie misguides him. They feel Thane means whole Maharashtra,” he added.

Senior Shiv Sena leader and minister for state excise, Shambhuraj Desai, however, tried to shield the alliance and said, “A coordination committee of senior leaders will be formed very soon to bury the differences and focus on the 2024 elections.”

Maharashtra

Police are busy removing loudspeakers from mosques under pressure from Kirit Somaiya, a case will be registered against Kirit Somaiya for spreading religious hatred: Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi, while addressing a press conference of the Federation of Mosques at the Marathi Patrikar Singh in Mumbai, said that the country will run on the Constitution and the Bombay High Court’s decision against all religious places and the principles of noise pollution, but under the guise of this, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya is targeting only Muslims and claiming to remove loudspeakers from mosques. He is constantly putting pressure on the police, therefore, a case has been demanded to be registered against him on charges of creating hatred between two communities, spoiling the environment and spreading religious hatred. Otherwise, the court will also be approached to register a case so that a case can be registered against him as soon as possible. Abu Asim Azmi said that the local Hindus have no objection to the call to prayer and the loudspeakers of mosques, but action is being taken on the complaint of some mischievous elements.

The environment is being spoiled only for the sake of vote bank. Removing the loudspeakers of mosques poses a threat to law and order. Therefore, the police should also pay attention to this because in Mumbai too, a conspiracy is being hatched to create division between Hindus and Muslims and spread religious hatred. He said that an example of how religious hatred is being spread in Maharashtra and communalism is on the rise is that a student in Kokan did not raise the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad but his house was razed to the ground. If someone insults Chhatrapati Maharaj, then RR Patil had talked about bringing James Lennon from America. He said that removing loudspeakers from mosques is illegal, a nation is being targeted. Bhajan singing continues throughout the night in UP. Why is no action taken against it? Under pressure from BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, the police is forced to remove the loudspeakers of the mosque. A case should be registered against Kirit Somaiya because he is trying to spoil the atmosphere by promoting communalism. It is demanded from the Police Commissioner that he should not allow the removal of the loudspeakers of the mosques because they use loudspeakers within the legal framework.

Advocate Khalid said that the action is underway on the loudspeakers of mosques. The Bombay High Court had given a decision in which guidelines were issued. A new petition was filed in the High Court in which the Jago Nehru Nagar petition was filed. In this, the court has referred to the decision issued in 2016, in which guidelines were set. It has identified all the things. Whatever decision has been issued regarding noise pollution, the High Court has said in its order that all noise pollution has been banned in religious ceremonies. This decision has not been implemented for any single religion. In this decision, the court reviewed the interim order. The court has observed that permission is required before using loudspeakers. Decibels have also been fixed. When the mosque sought permission for loudspeakers, they were given permission. In both the decisions, the structure of the loudspeakers has not been fixed. Box type is being allowed, which is not included in the High Court decision. If the speakers installed in the mosque protest against noise pollution, then action will be taken against them.

A warning should be given on the first complaint, a notice for the second time, and a fine and action is available for the third time. It is also necessary to run an awareness campaign regarding noise pollution. No single religion has been targeted, it is applicable to all religions. Advocate Yousuf Abrahani said that due to the provocation of Kirit Somaiya, a conspiracy has started to spoil the atmosphere. The police are now going to every mosque and harassing the preachers, imams and trustees of the mosques. The law is the same and equal for all religions, but why is the law being used only on Muslims? This matter will soon be referred to the court. The beer bar’s license is until 12 o’clock, but the bar remains open all night. The police do not take action on this, but they get a salary from here, so the police are silent and take action only on mosques.

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Maharashtra

Police on High Alert for Bakra Eid: Action Against Communal Elements, Says Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre

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Mumbai: As Bakra Eid approaches, the Thane police have heightened vigilance against communal elements and initiated actions to curb any attempts to disturb peace. In a press briefing, Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order during this festive period. He stated that strict enforcement of the prohibition on cow slaughter in Maharashtra is mandatory, and violators will face severe consequences.

To ensure a peaceful environment, the police have increased patrolling in sensitive areas, including Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Rabodi, Bhiwandi, and Mumbra, which have significant Muslim populations. Dumbre mentioned that additional deployment of forces will be in place during Bakra Eid and other festivities in the region.

The police commissioner emphasized that adherence to the guidelines set forth by the Municipal Corporation during the festival is essential. In collaboration with community leaders and scholars, the police have held meetings to ensure communal harmony. The Qureshi community reassured the police that they will refrain from sacrificing prohibited animals, underscoring a commitment to following the law.

To facilitate the arrival and purchase of goats before Eid, the police have stepped up patrols to prevent any potential difficulties. Precautionary measures have also been established to safeguard livestock traders from harassment. It is mandatory for goats and sacrificial animals to be air-tagged, which will only occur after a veterinary examination.

Commissioner Dumbre reiterated that Islam is a religion of peace and that fostering communal harmony is crucial during this time. In light of the upcoming festivities, the police have issued an alert within the police commissionerate. Special arrangements will be made at Eidgahs and mosques during Bakra Eid. He urged Muslims to conduct their rituals with dignity by avoiding the display of bloodied clothing and weapons and to transport meat discreetly in sealed bags or containers.

The police’s proactive stance aims to ensure that Bakra Eid is celebrated peacefully while upholding the laws of the state. Community cooperation and adherence to regulations will be key in making this festive season a harmonious occasion in Mumbai.
In Maharashtra, there is a complete ban on cow slaughter, and necessary instructions have been given to the police regarding this. Strict action will be taken against anyone who violates this ban. It was stated that cleanliness is half of faith, so during the process of sacrifice, waste and other items should be packed in bags and disposed of in bins, adhering to the guidelines and Islamic methods for sacrifice. The police commissioner advised that photos and videos of the sacrifice process should not be taken, as many people upload these images and videos on social media, which may hurt the religious sentiments of others and pose a risk of spreading religious hatred. The police commissioner urged Muslims to avoid such actions.

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Maharashtra

Special Court Denies Bail To Gangster Chhota Rajan In 2005 Arms Recovery Case

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Mumbai: The special court for the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), hearing the cases against incarcerated gangster Chhota Rajan, has refused to grant him bail in a 2005 case of recovery of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition. The court noted that the trial would be over in a few months, and at this juncture, his request cannot be considered.

As per the prosecution, Rajan and his close aide Bharat Nepali had imported a container consisting of 27 drums of grease from Bangkok, and one of them was found to conceal 34 revolvers, three pistols, a silencer, and 1,283 live cartridges. This came to light with the arrest of Nepali’s henchman Mukund Patel, who on May 21, 2005, was found with a revolver with two live rounds in the vicinity of Lata Bar and restaurant near Kandivali (W) railway station.

During interrogation about the source, he had revealed it was part of the consignment ordered by Rajan and Nepali. Later, Patel guided the investigating team to the Nhava Sheva Port, where the drum with the weapons was. It was revealed that the consign – ment had reached Mumbai on May 18, 2005, and the same was also cleared by Customs officers.

While seeking bail, Rajan’s lawyer contended that he had been falsely implicated and that he had already suffered incarceration of nearly 10 years after his arrest in the case in November 2015. The plea was opposed by the prosecution on the ground that there is enough evidence against Rajan. He contended that the officer who had interrogated Rajan had identified his voice in an intercepted audio recorded in September 2005.

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