Maharashtra
MVA launches all-out attack on Centre over ‘Agnipath’

The ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi on Friday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre for its ‘Agnipath’ scheme which has triggered tension and inflammatory protests in many parts of the country.
As reports of anti-Agnipath agitations pour in from different states, the MVA allies’ sharp reactions ranged from “teasing the unemployed youth” to “BJP is anti-army” to “a Jumla-path” on the people of the country.
State Congress President Nana Patole said the BJP at the Centre has imposed yet another ‘mindless and arbitrary’ decision on the country like many others in the past.
“Only 4 years’ service in the armed forces under the cute name of ‘Agnipath’ means that the youth of the country face a bleak future. Then, these young boys and girls will again be rendered jobless. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a mockery of the people and deceiving the youth and the jobless of India,” said Patole.
Nationalist Congress Party chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said under the BJP rule, the country is witnessing its highest-ever unemployment ratio and the Centre is not serious about finding a long-term solution for the millions of jobless youth.
“The new Agnipath scheme envisages unemployed youths of the country to join the Indian Armed Forces for a short service tenure of four years, and then fails to safeguard the long-term service prospects of these hopeful young men and women. The scheme lacks imagination and direction, and this is evident from the massive protests that have erupted all over the country,” said Tapase.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande termed Agnipath as yet another instance of how the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ‘anti-army’ though our brave soldiers are always prepared to sacrifice their lives for the nation.
“First there was the controversial policy of OROP which was opposed by the armed forces also, and now the Agnipath. Till now the youth could serve for 16 years and then if found physically fit, their tenure could be extended. But Agnipath will completely dilute it,” said Kayande.
Slamming the scheme, she said “the 56-inch chest is nothing but a hype of ‘Modi and BJP’, and now they are even acting against the interests of the courageous soldiers who secure our borders from enemies.”
“The Agnipath scheme is clearly an injustice on the young people who are the future of the country. We demand that this scheme should be immediately withdrawn,” demanded Kayande.
Tapase said while earlier Modi had promised ‘One Rank One Pension’, under Agnipath, there will be ‘No Rank, No Pension’ or even gratuity for the youth who take up the 4-year jobs in the armed forces.
“Under such a scenario, how and where will the youth learn new skills to get them proper jobs after leaving the armed forces, and even the private sector will not accept them with full pay scales and the dignity they deserve,” pointed out Tapase.
Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said that presently, there are 62,29,000 vacancies in the Central Government, out of which 2,55,000 are in the Indian Army.
“The decision to recruit only 46,000 of them was made with great fanfare. After six months training and then 3.5 years in the job, those opting will get barely Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 salary, no job security and no future provisions. The BJP government is gambling with the careers of our youths and Agnipath must be rolled back,” said Londhe.
The trio of Patole, Tapase and Kayande raised the question of “what happened to Modi’s tall promises of two crore jobs every year” made during the 2014 elections, and sought details of exactly how many work opportunities were created in the past 8 years of the BJP rule.
“It was nothing but an election gimmick and now even Agnipath is attracting massive protests by the disillusioned youth all over the country,” added Kayande.
“Our valiant soldiers do not care about their lives while guarding the borders of the country. They don’t concern themselves about any party or group and messing around with them is like ‘compromising’ with the nation’s security,” warned Patole.
Maharashtra
Online Gaming Ban: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Mulls Shutdown Of Online Gaming Due To Rise In Suicide, Scams, And Crimes

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is calling for a complete ban on online gaming within the state, citing alarming spikes in addiction, financial ruin, crimes, and suicides linked to real-money gaming. Fadnavis confirmed to the assembly that he has written to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and is working closely with the Centre, stressing that current IT rules are insufficient to curb harm.
In the Assembly, Fadnavis said that he has written to the Centre, urging it to regulate or ban online real money gaming. “The Centre has jurisdiction over online gaming regulation because the majority of these platforms are hosted outside of India. We are committed to working closely with the Union government to combat this growing threat,” he was quoted as saying in reports.
In recent years, online gaming has spawned a web of distressing cases. In one gut-wrenching example, a man in Dharashiv allegedly sold his land, poisoned his pregnant wife and 2-year-old, and then took his own life after falling into crippling losses from online rummy.
Another tragedy from Pimpri‑Chinchwad involved a 16‑year‑old boy who leapt from a 14th‑floor balcony after succumbing to gambling addiction.
Cyber fraud tied to gaming is also soaring. In Mohali, police uncovered an Rs. 18 crore online-gaming fraud syndicate that entrapped people through fake WhatsApp pitches, with eight arrested . In Mumbai’s Navi Mumbai, a businessman lost Rs. 2.74 crore to online betting over two years—prompting a police FIR.
Fadnavis warned that unchecked gaming platforms are “a new-age addiction” fuelling mental health crises and criminal activity, calling for a crackdown on celebrity endorsements that glamourise gambling
With nearly 97 illegal betting cases since 2023—including dozens in Mumbai—the state’s cyber police have intensified searches, training 3,000 officers, opening 50 cyber labs, and launching helpline services 1945/1930, though admits only central legislation can truly shut down offshore platforms.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Road Accident: 36-Year-Old Kurla Biker Killed In Sion Flyover Crash As Car Comes From Wrong Side

Mumbai: A 36-year-old resident of Kurla, Suhel Shakil Ansari, lost his life on Sunday morning after the motorcycle he was riding pillion on was struck by a car allegedly driving on the wrong side of the Sion flyover. The vehicle was being driven by a 75-year-old senior citizen, who was later served a notice by the police and allowed to leave the scene.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 10:45 am while Suhel and his friend Abu Faizan Ehsaanhul Haq Ansari were returning home from Marine Drive. Abu was riding the bike, as reported by Hindustan Times.
According to the report, a police officer mentioned that, “When they reached the Sion flyover, their motorcycle collided with a car being driven on the wrong side of the road. The flyover doesn’t have a divider, and the car suddenly came into their lane and hit them.”
Suhel sustained severe injuries and was bleeding from the nose and mouth. He was rushed to Sion Civic Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Abu suffered leg injuries, according to the officials.
The police identified the car driver as Chandulal Jain, 75, a Byculla resident. He has been booked under Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence), 125(b) (endangering life or personal safety of others), and 281 (rash or negligent driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 184 (dangerous driving) of the Motor Vehicles Act. A notice was served to him, and he was permitted to go, said the officer.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Ola, Uber Strike To Resume On Wednesday Noon As Cab Drivers’ Demands Remain Unaddressed

Mumbai: The Ola and Uber driver strike in Mumbai, suspended until Tuesday, is set to resume on Wednesday if the Maharashtra government fails to address their demands.
The strike was initially called off on Saturday, allowing the government to respond to issues like fare rationalisation, the establishment of a welfare board for drivers, and restrictions on new permits. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch confirmed that the strike is merely suspended and will restart if demands remain unmet.
Key driver demands include:
Drivers advocate for fare alignment with traditional taxis.
A financial and legal support board for app-based cab drivers is requested.
There’s a push to limit new cab and auto-rickshaw permit issuance.
Protections under the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act for taxi workers are sought.
A review of aggregator platform operations regarding surge pricing and driver ID blocking is desired.
If unresolved by the deadline, drivers plan an escalated protest on Wednesday. According to a report, passengers have been asked to de-board in various locations across Mumbai due to the impending strike. A cab driver from Navi Mumbai highlighted their demand for a fixed rate per kilometre, contrasting current inconsistent rates with a previously established government-fixed rate of Rs 32 per km for AC taxis.
Cab unions have discussed these concerns with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has promised a solution within 15 days. Nevertheless, drivers remain skeptical, recalling previous unfulfilled promises. Sarnaik acknowledged the reasonableness of the demands and assured adjustments in policy would be made.
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