Mumbai, Oct 2: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the ‘Dharavi Experience Centre’ will not merely showcase blueprints of the redevelopment project but allow the area’s residents to directly experience their future homes, neighbourhoods, and workplaces.

In an interaction with the media, he stated that this initiative will help curb rumours, misconceptions, and incomplete information, creating an atmosphere of trust around the redevelopment.

CM Fadnavis inaugurated the state-of-the-art ‘Dharavi Experience Centre’, which offers physical and digital previews of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project plan, rehabilitated homes, industrial spaces, and upcoming social infrastructure, built near the BKC in the PMGP Colony’s H Block.

The event was attended by Adani Group Managing Director Pranav Adani, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) CEO Dr Mahendra Kalyankar, Dharavi Redevelopment Project CEO and SRA Secretary Vipin Paliwal, Adani Navbharat Developers Private Ltd (the Special Purpose Vehicle executing the redevelopment project) CEO Anil Sardana, among others.

After inspecting the centre, Fadnavis said: “Dharavi is not just a slum; it is a major economic engine. A significant economy thrives here through Kumbharwada’s pottery industry, leather business, food processing, plastic recycling, and various micro, small, and medium enterprises. The redevelopment plan respects these industries and focuses on providing them with better, well-planned workspaces. This is an effort toward comprehensive urban transformation while preserving Dharavi’s existing social, cultural, and economic identity.”

He added that this serves as an ideal example of the urban transformation taking place across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chief Minister noted that the ‘Dharavi Experience Centre’ will provide real-time information to everyone on how the Dharavi redevelopment project will look, what Dharavi is today, and how its structure will evolve in the future. This centre will play a crucial role in addressing the questions and confusion among Dharavi residents regarding their future post-redevelopment. He expressed confidence that by offering information on homes, roads, open grounds, social amenities, and employment opportunities all under one roof, the centre will be valuable for citizens, stakeholders, and urban planning researchers across the country.

The Dharavi Experience Centre highlights the journey from Dharavi’s present to its future transformation through modern audio-visual and digital technology. During his visit, CM Fadnavis also launched a special song titled “Dharavi Ka Kal”, sung by renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan, portraying the changing face of Dharavi, and released the book “Mere Sapno Ki Dharavi”.

Mumbai, Oct 2: In a sharp critique of the ruling establishment on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said that remembering the Father of the Nation is more crucial today than ever before. Warning against the modern tendency to reduce national icons to photo opportunities and symbolic rituals, Thackeray declared that while those in power may use Gandhi only for ceremonial tributes, true democracy cannot survive without his core teachings.

In his post on X, the MNS chief criticised the superficial manner in which great figures are commemorated today. “Our remembrance of great figures is often limited to their birth and death anniversaries – garlanding statues and taking photographs. Equating memorials solely with statues and posing next to them has become our new form of paying tribute,” Thackeray noted.

Taking direct aim at the political climate under the current regime, Thackeray highlighted the growing intolerance towards public dissent.

He emphasised that Mahatma Gandhi’s primary legacy was empowering citizens to question authority — a virtue that the current “powers-that-be” actively attempt to stifle. “The moment questions are raised, those in power and their army of online trolls are eager to brand you an ‘anti-national’,” Thackeray stated, raising concerns over the suppression of peaceful demonstrations, the use of state force against protesters, and the erosion of autonomy in critical constitutional bodies like the Election Commission.

Defining what he considers Mahatma Gandhi’s greatest contribution to India, the MNS chief said it was not merely political freedom, but the common individual’s inherent right to say “no” to state overreach.

“The government possesses the law, the brute force of power, and the ability to alter laws to suit its convenience… Yet, Gandhiji demonstrated that despite all this, the government cannot claim ownership over the common person’s capacity for rational thought or over their conscience,” he remarked.

He warned citizens against systematic efforts on digital platforms and social media propaganda channels — often dubbed “WhatsApp Universities” — to compromise independent thinking and public awareness.

Reiterating that the public remains sovereign in a democratic republic, Thackeray stressed that political agitations, street marches, and citizen participation are essential tools to hold ruling administrations accountable.

Concluding the statement, the MNS leader reaffirmed that while rulers may only embrace Gandhi when it suits their immediate political convenience, the health of Indian democracy depends on preserving his spirit of peaceful resistance and moral courage.

Earlier, Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena(UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray addressed a joint press conference on Tuesday to unveil the blueprint for a public protest march scheduled for October 4. The demonstration, as per the parties, is directed against the Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the body of functioning as an “extension of the ruling party” and deceiving voters through the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

“We have been consistently raising concerns over EVM manipulation and electoral malpractices for years. Back in 2017-18, I met several political leaders regarding these issues. This march stands against the humiliation of voters and the subversion of our electoral integrity. Whatever we have to say, we will deliver directly from the stage on October 4,” Thackeray stated.

Mumbai, Oct 1: Launching a direct and fiery broadside at Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday warned the state government against making tactical errors, daring the authorities to arrest him ahead of CJP’s scheduled demonstrations from October 2 in Mumbai.

“Do not repeat the mistake committed on July 20. If you want to arrest us, do it right now,” he declared during a press conference in Mumbai, setting a tense backdrop for his party’s upcoming agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Calling Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar a “traitor to the nation,” Dipke demanded his immediate resignation over allegations of widespread electoral roll manipulation.

He accused the ruling coalition of engaging in state-sponsored disenfranchisement and using the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a political tool.

“Whoever sits as the Chief Election Commissioner must be transparent. The 13 crore voters whose names were deleted across the country will hit the streets, and when they do, the public will demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar’s bosses,” Dipke asserted.

He further demanded that the Election Commission freeze the recent Special Summary Revision (SIR) lists and conduct upcoming elections strictly using the 2005 voter lists.

Addressing questions regarding police authorisation for the demonstrations, Dipke rejected the necessity of official approval, drawing a historical parallel to the Indian freedom struggle.

“Which of our protests was ever granted permission? We are protesting democratically against the ruling power — why would they permit it? Had Mahatma Gandhi asked the British for permission to protest, they would have refused him too. Permission or not, we will march,” he said.

Taking a direct swipe at CM Fadnavis over his recent remarks that protesters face a three-day jail term before securing bail, Dipke scoffed, “Keep me in jail for three months instead of three days… I will return to the streets again and again,” echoing Fadnavis’s famous political slogan.

He also questioned the selective granting of venue permissions: “If Devendra Fadnavis can hold a political rally at Shivaji Park and ask for votes, why are we barred from protesting at the very same site?”

Dipke announced that CJP will extend full support to the opposition’s joint agitation on October 4. While Dipke will be on a nationwide tour, CJP cadres will assemble in force in Mumbai, setting aside party lines to join a larger united front against the ECI.

Looking ahead to future electoral dynamics, Dipke highlighted the power of young voters. He said, “In the 2029 elections, Gen Z will constitute the single largest voter demographic. It is our duty to deliver the kind of country they envision and deserve.”

Addressing recent public criticism of his high-end wardrobe choices during political campaigns, Dipke dismissed the political chatter surrounding his Rs 30,000 shoes. “I wear Rs 30,000 shoes because I can afford them. I am a massive Shah Rukh Khan fan — it was simply a fan moment and a reel,” he clarified.

With opposition parties gearing up for a massive protest outside the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on October 6, CJP’s Mumbai agitation on October 2 marks the start of escalating confrontation between opposition factions and the Election Commission.