Maharashtra
Subramaniam Swamy challenges Maharashtra govt’s control over Pandharpur Temple in Bombay HC
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
Aaditya Thackeray Elected Shiv Sena UBT Legislature Party Leader, Sunil Prabhu Named Chief Whip
Mumbai, November 25: Former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray was on Monday elected the Shiv Sena (UBT) legislature party leader at a meeting of the party legislators in Mumbai.
Aaditya, son of party president Uddhav Thackeray, defeated Milind Deora of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the recent assembly elections from Worli constituency by 8,801 votes.
His winning margin dipped compared to the last elections in 2019, where it was 67,427 votes.
Senior party leader Ambadas Danve told reporters after the meeting of party legislators that former minister Bhaskar Jadhav was elected the party group leader in the state assembly, while Sunil Prabhu was named the party’s chief whip.
Maharashtra
The Election Commission Should Take Immediate Action Against IPS Officer Rashmi Shukla: Atul Londhe
Mumbai, November 25: IPS officer Rashmi Shukla violated the Model Code of Conduct by meeting Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while the code of conduct was still in force. The Election Commission must take this matter seriously and initiate immediate action against Rashmi Shukla, demanded Atul Londhe, Chief Spokesperson of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
Commenting on the issue, Atul Londhe said that in Telangana, the Election Commission had promptly acted against a Director General of Police and another senior official for meeting a senior minister during elections. “Why does the Election Commission act swiftly in non-BJP-ruled states but fail to notice such violations in BJP-ruled states?” he questioned.
Rashmi Shukla faces serious allegations, including phone tapping of opposition leaders. The Congress had earlier demanded her removal from the post of Director General of Police during the election period, and she was subsequently removed. However, despite the declaration of assembly results, Rashmi Shukla met the Home Minister before the Model Code of Conduct officially ended, violating its norms. Londhe insisted that immediate action should be taken against her.
Maharashtra
‘I Haven’t Resigned Yet,’ Says Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole Amid Rumours Of Quitting Post After Poll Debacle
Maharashtra Congress president and newly elected MLA from the Sakoli Assembly seat, Nana Patole, denied media reports about his resignation from the post of party chief in the state.
Speaking to the media, Patole said, “I am going to meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. I have not submitted my resignation.”
Earlier it was reported that after the crushing defeat of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, Nana Patole offered to resign as Congress state president, taking moral responsibility for the loss. However, conflicting reports claim that Patole has not yet made a final decision, and there has been no confirmation from him or the party regarding his resignation.
The ruling Mahayuti coalition secured a resounding victory, winning 235 seats with 49.6% of the vote share, while the MVA lagged far behind with just 49 seats and 35.3% of the votes. The Congress, in particular, suffered a major setback, winning only 16 of the 103 seats it contested.
Patole, who contested from the Sakoli seat, narrowly retained his position with a margin of just 208 votes—the smallest margin of his political career. This is a sharp contrast to his 2019 Assembly election performance, where he won the same seat by nearly 8,000 votes. His narrow victory this year ranks among the closest contests in the state.
Patole reportedly sought to meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on Monday to discuss his resignation but was unable to do so. The party high command has not yet acted on his reported resignation.
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