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Maharashtra

Shinde-Fadnavis combine loses no time to dismantle MVA legacy

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 Barely hours after they were sworn-in on June 30 evening, the new Chief Minister Eknath S. Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis indicated that they meant business.

One of the first major decisions was to strike down the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) proposal to construct the Mumbai Metro 3 car-shed in Kanjurmarg, instead of the lush green Aarey Colony — where it was originally planned by Fadnavis during his tenure as the CM (2014-2019).

The Shinde-Fadnavis’ move, though anticipated, attracted howls of protest from greens, activists and even former CM Uddhav Thackeray — who was like a �godfather’ to Aarey Colony — and his son ex-Minister Aditya Thackeray.

A sad Thackeray publicly appealed, with �folded hands’ to Shinde-Fadnavis, not to bring back the Metro car-shed to Aarey Colony forests in the interests of Mumbai and the city’s environment, while Aditya urged the new regime not to vent their angst against the Thackerays on Mumbaikars.

Fadnavis responded with the right noises that he would �respect’ Thackeray’s sentiments before taking any final decision and days later, uprooted the Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to reinstate her as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) Managing Director.

In October 2019, as the then MMRCL MD, Bhide — often regarded as the �mother-in-law’ of Mother Nature, had shocked the nation when Aarey Colony overnight got a massive haircut — 2,141 trees were chopped off in barely 40 hours, or @1 tree/minute�!

Thackeray Jr., Congress workers, green groups and activists have been fuming and protesting at the new regime’s latest reversal, but Bhide is entrusted with the task of pushing through the contentious proposal.

After the MVA allies, Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party, had scuttled the Centre’s plans to construct the terminus for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project in the Bandra Kurla Complex, the Shinde-Fadnavis ministry took a relook at the much delayed mega-project.

They have resolved to build the Bullet Train terminus at the original intended BKC site and ordered the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shut down and pack up its 2-year-old Covid Jumbo Field Hospital there within 2 months, by September.

In another jolt, the government has scrapped over 4,000 big and small water conservation projects in the state worth more than Rs 5,000 crore, designed to make the state �drought-free’ by 2025.

However, in contrast, the government has decided to �revive’ the “Jalyukt Shivar Project”, the pet scheme of Fadnavis when he was the CM, but which was struck down by the MVA.

The Thackeray regime had based its decision on an open enquiry into the project after the CAG expressed doubts about the JST’s effectiveness, and later a probe panel had submitted a report highlighting various irregularities in that scheme.

The government has also opted to bring back the Emergency Pension Scheme, introduced by Fadnavis in 2018, rewarding those who had undergone jail terms during the Emergency (1975-1977), considered a dark chapter in Indian history.

The MVA government had yanked off the EPS — Fadnavis suspects it was done under pressure from the Congress — which entitled a pension of between Rs 5000-Rs 10,000 depending on the period of imprisonment the beneficiary had undergone.

Shinde also struck down the decision cancelling direct election of village Sarpanches and Municipal Council Presidents – introduced in 2017 by Fadnavis, and which was removed by the Thackeray government in 2020.

These reversals or cancellations have taken place despite an assurance by the Shinde-Fadnavis government that they would refrain from dumping any policies, projects or schemes of the MVA, unless they are found to be absolutely inessential.

However, giving a minor concession, the three-week old government assured that it would �review’ the MVA’s proposal to rename Aurangabad as �Sambhajinagar’ and Osmanabad as �Dharashiv’. The AIMIM has cried foul and the Nationalist Congress Party had dissociated itself from the original move.

Now, the Sena-NCP-Congress combine is worried that the axe could fall on several other mega projects it had launched during the 31-month-long MVA rule.

Of particular concern are the Rs 1,600-crore water desalination plant to make Mumbai self-sufficient in drinking water, and the ongoing Mumbai Coastal Road Project — both intended to be �show-pieces’ of the Shiv Sena ahead of the BMC elections.

Crime

Palghar Crime: Naigaon Police Arrest 35-Year-Old Murder Accused From Ship At Okha Port In Gujarat After Month-Long Manhunt

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Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant breakthrough, the Naigaon Police have arrested a murder accused who had been absconding for nearly a month. The accused, Sunil Kharpat Prajapati (35), was traced and detained from a ship docked at Okha-Dwarka port in Gujarat after a meticulous manhunt.

The case dates back to September 7, 2025, when a dispute broke out between two workers of Synergy Hygiel Company at Kaman, Vasai (East). The deceased, Dilip Saroj, and the accused, Prajapati, had been given money by their employer, Prakash Ghunkar Chamaria, to share expenses for meals. However, Prajapati allegedly withheld the amount from Saroj, sparking a heated quarrel.

According to police, during the altercation, Prajapati assaulted Saroj with a blunt object, inflicting severe injuries on his head, eyes, and right arm. Saroj succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, leading police to upgrade the charges to murder under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Given the gravity of the crime, senior officers formed two dedicated teams from the Crime Detection Branch to trace the fugitive. Acting on credible intelligence, investigators learned that the accused had taken shelter aboard a vessel at Okha port in Gujarat. Over 200 ships in the vicinity were thoroughly searched before police located Prajapati hiding on one of them.

He was taken into custody and later confessed to his role in the crime during questioning, officials said. The accused is now in police custody, and further investigation is underway.

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Maharashtra

Ruckus created in Kurla over I Love Muhammad sticker, Soumya’s ultimatum, Soumya’s visit again after no progress in investigation, attempt to worsen the situation

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Mumbai: The controversy over I Love Muhammad has intensified in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Mumbai. BJP leader Kirat Soumya has objected to the pasting of I Love Muhammad stickers on vehicles at traffic stops in the Kurla area on the outskirts of Mumbai and demanded the registration of an FIR. After giving a 48-hour ultimatum to the Kurla police station, Kirat Soumya has again visited the Kurla police station today and demanded the registration of a case for the forcible pasting of stickers on vehicles. In this matter, the police have asked Kirat Soumya to consult the law department and seek time for progress in the matter until Tuesday. When Kirat Soumya was asked what he had against I Love Muhammad and why he opposed it, he denied it and said that everyone has the right to take the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but hooliganism will not be tolerated under the guise of this. The way the stickers were forcibly pasted on the roads without permission is the same. It is illegal. Kret Soumya said that the police have provided all the video footage and other documents, but the police have not registered a case yet. The police have given me time till Tuesday. Now the police will take some action after consulting the law department. When Kret Soumya was asked whether anyone had gone to the police station and complained about the forced sticker application, he said that since I am the complainant, the police should take action against this hooliganism. After Kret Soumya’s demand, attempts have been made to spoil the situation in Kurla, due to which the atmosphere is tense.

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Maharashtra

The streets echoed with the slogans of Takbir Allahu Akbar and Rasool, the Muslim youth arrested in the ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy should be released, demand the scholars.

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Mumbai: The historic 71-year-old Ghausia procession was taken out from Madanpura Hari Masjid in Mumbai with great respect and dignity. The Ghausia procession was led by scholars, while the devotees of Ghaus Azam participated in the procession carrying the flag of the Prophet. The streets of Mumbai echoed with slogans like Takbir Allah Akbar, we will not leave the fold of Ghaus. The police had made strict security arrangements after the violence in Bareilly. After the controversy over I Love Muhammad, there was a high alert in Mumbai as well.

The scholars were seen in old and antique cars in the Ghausia procession, while all the scholars and devotees of Ghaus Azam, including students of madrasas, were part of the procession. The procession passed through traditional highways from Madanpura to Ghausia and ended with prayers at Mastan Talab. Success lies in following the teachings of Ghaus-e-Azam Dastgir (may Allah be pleased with him), therefore, it is essential for Muslims to observe prayers and follow Sharia. This advice was given by Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan while narrating the biography of Ghaus-e-Pak before the Ghausiya procession today.

He said that the Ghausiya procession has completed 70 years. It is the need of the hour for Muslims to maintain unity and agreement among themselves. The message of humanity has been spread by Ghaus-e-Azam Dastgir (may Allah be pleased with him). On the controversy over Come Muhammad, Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan said that Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) has spread the message of love. He came as a mercy for humanity, but today in this fascinating era, the market of hatred is hot. Politics is also going on in the name of Come Muhammad and attempts are being made to spoil the situation, which is completely wrong. Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan said that Ghaus-e-Azam Dastgir has countless discoveries and miracles and he has advised to acquire knowledge.

He has also traveled from Jilani to Baghdad to acquire knowledge, so education is of great importance in Islam. He said that the first letter of the name of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is M, that is why everyone loves Muhammad (peace be upon him). On the Bareilly violence, Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan said that the Muslim youth arrested on charges of violence should be conditionally released. Muslims had protested peacefully in love with the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Along with this, Maulana Tauqeer Raza should also be released.

In all the monasteries, including Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (may Allah be pleased with him), there are more non-Muslim attendees than Muslims, and this is a manifestation of brotherhood and national unity. He said that opposing the name of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is absolutely not right. He (peace be upon him) loved even his enemies. A person who is devoted to him (peace be upon him) only spreads the message of love. Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman said that the secret of success lies in following the teachings of Ghaus-e-Pak (may Allah have mercy on him).

Therefore, Muslims should hold firmly to the rope of Islam and follow the Holy Sharia. He said that in today’s fascinating era, sectarian forces are hatching conspiracies against Islam, along with which attempts are being made to commit atrocities on Muslims, but the grace of Ghaus-e-Pak will always remain with us Muslims. The government should immediately release the Muslim youth arrested in Bareilly and other cities of Uttar Pradesh and impose a ban on unnecessary arrests. Maulana Manan Raza Khan Manani Mian, Maulana Syed Kausar Rabbani, Alhaj Saeed Noori Raza Academy, Maulana Abdul Qadir Alvi, Maulana Farid-ul-Zaman, Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Noori, Maulana Ijaz Kashmiri, Maulana Amanullah Raza, Mufti Zubair Barkati, Hafiz Abdul Qadir, Qari Niaz Ahmed, Qari Nazim Ali Barkati, Qari Abdul Rehman Ziaei, Maulana Ibrahim Asi, Hafiz Shadab, Haji Barakat Ahmed Ashrafi and other scholars and intellectuals participated.

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