Maharashtra
Political interests derailing protests, causing anarchy, says CM Devendra Fadnavis on paper leak row
Mumbai, July 21: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on opposition parties and political organisations, accusing them of hijacking the ongoing demonstrations concerning the NEET exam paper leak to further their own selfish agendas and fuel political instability.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis commented on the protests staged by the Cockroach Janata Party and veteran social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He asserted that while peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right, it comes with inherent duties and responsibilities.
Clarifying the state’s stance on democratic rights, the Chief Minister stated that peaceful, authorised demonstrations would always receive permission. However, he drew a firm line against unauthorised gatherers resorting to violence.
“Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but while doing so, one must keep in mind both the rights and responsibilities bestowed by the Constitution,” CM Fadnavis said.
“Staging unauthorised protests and resorting to violence intentionally to create political instability is completely unacceptable. Necessary action must be taken against such acts,” he said.
CM Fadnavis highlighted that when protests lack clear central leadership, opportunists and bad actors often exploit the situation for personal or political gain.
He alleged that several political parties and organisations — having no real concern for the NEET exam or the students affected — have infiltrated the movement simply to incite unrest.
“When a movement is faceless and leaderless, certain elements circulate within it. They try to achieve their own selfish goals by firing from the shoulders of the protesters,” he said, adding that “Many of these individuals don’t even know what the NEET exam is or when it took place; they are merely pushing their own political agenda.”
Taking a swipe at opposition forces, CM Fadnavis added, “Political parties that have been rejected by voters in their respective states are now trying to gain political traction out of this unrest.”
Addressing the police lathi-charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, CM Fadnavis defended the law enforcement agencies, stating that force was necessary to prevent a larger calamity after violence broke out.
“No government ever likes using lathi-charge against its own citizens. However, looking at the chaotic situation yesterday — where police vehicles were damaged, and officers were pelted with stones — if the police had not taken control, far worse incidents would have occurred. The police showed immense restraint and acted proportionately to restore order,” CM Fadnavis explained.
He clarified that he was not smearing all protesters, acknowledging that some participated with genuine intentions. However, he maintained that fringe elements and political opportunists had derailed the cause.
Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis spoke fondly of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ahead of his birth anniversary, noting his distinct political persona, dedication, and stern yet warm leadership style.
Paying tribute at a photo exhibition organised in Pawar’s honour, CM Fadnavis also made a major policy announcement regarding agricultural relief. “To mark the birth anniversary of the beloved late Ajit Pawar, the state government is attempting to release the first list of eligible farmers under the farm loan waiver scheme tomorrow,” the Chief Minister announced.
Maharashtra
Man steals gold chain from Mumbai jewellery shop posing as customer, arrested in Delhi; stolen item recovered.

On November 15, 2025, within the jurisdiction of the Kandivali Police Station, an unidentified individual entered ‘Padmavati Jewellers’—located on Mathuradas Road, Kandivali West, Mumbai—posing as a customer. Under the pretext of trying on a gold chain weighing 43.2 grams, the individual took the item, stepped out of the shop, and fled. The complainant, 50-year-old Priti Deepak Sakariya, filed a report. A case was registered at the Kandivali Police Station (Case No. 878/2025) under Section 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the investigation, the investigating officer, Sandeep Gorde, and his team examined CCTV footage from the scene and the surrounding area. They managed to obtain the Aadhaar card details and mobile number of the suspect who had entered the shop. Although the mobile number was found to be inactive and there was no initial information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts, the team utilized technical investigation methods to track him down. He was subsequently taken into custody in the Uttam Nagar area of New Delhi. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he had hidden the stolen gold chain at his home; the item was subsequently recovered. The accused is currently in police custody. Investigations are ongoing to determine if he has committed similar offenses in the past. The arrested accused is Satish Kumar Krishan Prasad Keshari, aged 42, with no specified occupation, residing at RZB-17, Mahendra Park, Uttam Nagar, Dwarka District, New Delhi. The police are conducting further investigation into the matter. The case was investigated under the instructions of DCP Sandeep Ghuge.
Maharashtra
Objection Even to the Birth of Muslim Children? Political Controversy Over Somaiya’s Remarks, Demand for a Population Control Committee.

Mumbai : BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has raised objections regarding the birth rate of Muslim children in Mumbai. Expressing concern over these figures, he claimed that by 2051, the Muslim population could surpass that of the majority community—the Hindus. On the platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Somaiya stated that for every three Hindu children born, two Muslim children are born. He noted that over the past five years, 336,525 Hindu children and 220,754 Muslim children were born in Mumbai. Somaiya further stated that he has requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to establish a ‘Demographic Balance Committee’ to prevent Mumbai from becoming a “Muslim Mumbai.” In his tweet, he also alleged a conspiracy to transform Mumbai into a “Muslim Mumbai” and, citing deep concern over the birth rate of Muslim children, urged the Chief Minister to form a committee to implement population control measures.
Maharashtra
Major Gadchiroli Police Operation Against Maoists, Hidden Explosives Recovered

The Maoist ideology has now been eradicated from the Gadchiroli district, and its residents are finally free from the terror that once loomed over them. In the past, Maoists would use various weapons and explosive materials to threaten security forces and carry out subversive activities. Taking advantage of remote, forest-covered areas situated along state borders, they would prepare these materials and bury them underground in secret locations. Their objective was to use these stockpiles to launch attacks on security forces during specific periods—such as ‘Naxal weeks’—or throughout the electoral process. Taking decisive action against this threat, the Gadchiroli Police successfully recovered these hidden materials on November 4, 2026.
According to details, the Gadchiroli Police received intelligence that Maoists had concealed explosives in the forest area of ’Tavve,’ which falls under the jurisdiction of the Garapatti Police Station. Acting on this information, and under the guidance of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Ramesh, a search operation was launched on November 4, 2026. The operation involved four units from the ‘Special Operation Squad’ (covering Gadchiroli and Pranhita) and two teams from the ‘Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad’ (BDDS). During a search operation conducted by the ‘Special Operation Squad’ (SOS) and the ‘Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad’ (BDDS) in a forested area, the following items were recovered from the site: 1) 11 pressure cookers (intended for use as improvised explosive devices), 2) 3 bundles (100 feet) of Cordtex wire, 3) 3 kilograms of gunpowder, 4) 4 detonators, 5) a 12-volt battery, 6) 250 grams of pyrotechnic powder (used in fireworks), 7) 4 steel containers, 8) 8 bundles of wire, 9) a solar panel, along with other materials linked to Maoist activities.
The operation was successfully executed under the guidance and instructions of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Ramesh. It was carried out under the supervision of Additional SP (Operations) Kartik Madhera, Additional SP Shri Gokul Raj G., Additional SP Aheri (Pranhita) Harshvardhan B.J., and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) Sunil Oike. Personnel from the ‘Special Operation Squad’ (Gadchiroli and Pranhita), the Intelligence Cell, and the ‘Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad’ (BDDS) participated in the operation. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police M. Ramesh has commended the personnel who took part in the operation.
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