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Subramaniam Swamy challenges Maharashtra govt’s control over Pandharpur Temple in Bombay HC

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Mumbai: Former member of Rajya Sabha and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramaniam Swamy has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the Pandharpur Temples Act (PTA) of 1973, which empowers the Maharashtra government to take over the administration of the temples at Pandharpur.

The plea contends that the power to “permanently” takeover the administration and control of religious and non-religious activities of the temples and vest the same in the officers of the government “indefinitely” on mere allegations of mismanagement violates his fundamental rights and those of “Hindu population” under Articles 13, 14, 25, 26, 31-A of the Constitution of India.

Pandharpur Temples Act

He has prayed that the Act be struck down and a committee of priests, representatives of devotees and warkaris be constituted for proper management of the temple.

The Pandharpur Temples Act was enacted in 1973 to abolish all hereditary rights, privileges of ministrants and priestly classes functioning in the temples of Vitthal and Rukmini at Pandharpur and authorised the State to acquire those rights and privileges. Section 21 of the Act postulates that the Committee under the Act shall have perpetual succession and would be established by the State Government. The provision is violative of Article 31- A, the plea contends.

Until 2014, the religious administration of the temples’ activities was entirely with the previous priests, and it was only after 2014 that the government took forcible control over the temples, the plea states.

Petition to be heard on Feb 21

Various High Courts and the Supreme Court have said that the administration of religious institutions being a secular activity, the right to administer and maintain them cannot be taken away completely. It can be taken over only for a limited period to “secure the property from the evil of mismanagement of the property,” the plea argues. After the “evil” is remedied, the administration should be handed back, it added.

Also the temples in Maharashtra are governed by the Bombay Trusts Act. However, the temples of Vitthal and Rukmini have been singled out by this Act, therefore violative of Article 14.

It adds that the role of a priest is a religious matter and any interference is violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, read with freedom of faith and belief to worship under the Preamble.

The petition will come up for hearing on February 21.

Maharashtra

Special NIA Court Allows Activist Gautam Navlakha To Visit Ailing Sister

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The special NIA court on Thursday permitted activist Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, to travel to Delhi for two months to be with his ailing elder sister.

Navlakha had approached the court for modification of the bail order granted last year, which restricted his movement to city limits.

The prosecution opposed the plea, apprehending that he may influence witnesses or skip the trial.

The court ruled out these possibilities and allowed the plea but with several conditions. Navlakha has been asked to furnish details of his mobile phone number on which video call facility is available, furnish his travel details, and deposit his passport in the court before leaving the city.

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Maharashtra

Party Rebels Contesting Against MVA Candidates To Face Six-Year Suspension: Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala

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Party Rebels Contesting Against MVA Candidates To Face Six-Year Suspension: Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said all the party rebels contesting against the official candidates of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have been suspended for six years.

In a press conference, Chennithala stated that district units have been directed to compile a list of rebels still in the race for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls and issue notices to them.

“There will be no friendly contests. All rebels running against the MVA’s official candidates have been suspended,” said Chennithala, the All India Congress Committee in-charge of Maharashtra.

In some constituencies, despite official candidates from both Mahayuti and MVA, candidates from allied parties have been fielded. In other areas, friendly contests are happening. Several leaders have filed nomination papers after rebelling.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Elections 2024: Devendra Fadnavis Refers To Sharad Pawar As ‘Owner Of Fake Narrative Factory’; Slams Opposition Over Claims About Industries Leaving State

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Maharashtra Elections 2024: Devendra Fadnavis Refers To Sharad Pawar As 'Owner Of Fake Narrative Factory'; Slams Opposition Over Claims About Industries Leaving State

Mumbai: In a scathing attack on Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis referred to the NCP leader as the “owner of a fake narrative factory” during an election rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Fadnavis accused Pawar and opposition leaders of spreading false information about industries leaving Maharashtra for Gujarat, attempting to tarnish the state’s image. He made it clear that Maharashtra remains the top choice for investment, with 52% of the country’s foreign investment flowing into the state.

Addressing a rally in support of Mahayuti candidate Shankar Jagtap, Fadnavis emphasized that Maharashtra is strong industrially and that the information being spread by the opposition is misleading. He stated, “Our government has made Maharashtra an ideal destination for investment.” According to Fadnavis, reports suggesting a shift in the state’s industrial landscape were false and intended solely to mislead the public.

Fadnavis Targets Supriya Sule

Fadnavis also targeted NCP MP Supriya Sule, calling her the “manager of the fake narrative factory.” He accused Sule of spreading incorrect information about IT companies leaving Hinjewadi, a major IT hub in Pune. Fadnavis stressed that both Maharashtra’s industrial and IT sectors are strong, and any challenges faced were the result of the difficulties encountered during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. He labeled Sule’s statements as incorrect and harmful to the state’s progress.

Fadnavis also responded to criticism of Uddhav Thackeray’s “Ladki Behin Yojana” . He said that Thackeray’s approach, focused on opposition for the sake of it, was disconnected from the needs of ordinary people. Fadnavis clarified that the scheme would provide financial aid and educational opportunities to thousands of girls across Maharashtra.

Concluding his speech, Fadnavis reassured the audience about job creation under the BJP government. He announced an ambitious goal of generating employment opportunities for 10 lakh youths and promised to rejuvenate Maharashtra’s economic stability. He urged voters to be cautious of the “fake narratives” being spread by the opposition and to trust in the state’s economic progress.

Throughout the rally, Fadnavis highlighted BJP’s transparency and development-oriented policies, portraying the opposition’s tactics as a strategy to promote “fake narratives” and undermine the state’s growth.

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