Govardhan (UP), July 5: As the world-famous Mudiya Mela will kick off in Uttar Pradesh’s Govardhan on Sunday, authorities have launched a cleanliness campaign.

Over 2 crore pilgrims are expected to reach Govardhan for the mela and perform Parikrama.

The cleanliness campaign, led by District Magistrate C.P. Singh, started on Saturday and focussed on cleanliness in key areas, including Parikrama Marg, Daanghati temple, and Giriraj ji.

DM Singh swept the land near the Govardhan temple, spreading the message of cleanliness.

As per the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government, efforts are being made to provide pilgrims with proper facilities and clean surroundings, he said.

The District Magistrate said people use polythene bags and indulge in littering as they don’t care about cleanliness, but now, as prior warnings have been given, strict action will be taken against violators.

The DM pointed out that maintaining cleanliness in the area was the responsibility of the temple management, but as it failed, “our team and locals of Govardhan are carrying out the cleanliness drive.”

Highlighting the importance of cleanliness, DM Singh said, “We aim to clean the entire Parikrama marg.”

He also shared that notices have been issued to those shops which have encroached on public land. The cleanliness campaign was made successful with the efforts of Govardhan SDM Neelam Srivastava, Govardhan Tehsil and Panchayat.

For the unversed, Mudiya Mela is observed in remembrance of Sanatan Goswami, the principal disciple of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Legends have it that when Sanatan Goswami passed away, his disciples did parikrama of the Govardhan after tonsuring their heads. Since then, this tradition has been followed.

Notably, the 468-year-old tradition continues to draw a sea of devotees.

The devotees perform a 21-km-long Parikrama of Govardhan.

The belief with the yatra is that it bestows peace and prosperity on the devotees.

Mumbai, July 5: The opposition parties in Maharashtra took a serious objection to the political remarks made by the Assembly’s Presiding Officer Chetan Tupe while conducting the business in the House.

They said that it was not acceptable, demanding that the dignity of the chair must be maintained.

The issue was raised by the Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and it was supported by Bhaskar Jadhav (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Nana Patole (Congress).

They also asked, “Do those who make political statements have the right to be the presiding officer?”

Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar took a serious note and expressed serious displeasure, saying that such incidents should not happen in future.

“Those sitting as presiding officers should maintain letter and spirit of the law. It is necessary for the presiding officers to work within the framework of the rules given by the Constitution.”

The Speaker assured that the chair of the Speaker will not be used for political purposes.

He also told the House that he will take a decision in this regard in his chamber.

Earlier, Wadettiwar criticised the presiding officer for his political remarks during the discussion over a motion on farmer suicides and the current state of agriculture amid the state government’s apathy.

He appealed to the Assembly Speaker to reprimand the presiding officer Chetan Tupe.

“While the discussion was on, the Agriculture Minister and the officials of that department were not present, but the work continued. But since some members were not present, does the presiding officer Chetan Tupe have the right to sit in the chair and present the government’s position? While the chair has a certain dignity, it is not right to make political speeches from there, such a thing has not happened in the past,” Wadettiwar said.

He also said: “The presiding officer in his statements targeted opposition party members for their absence while saying they speak about farmers but skip the proceedings. Tupe said he has been in the House for 13 hours and has not given out.”

He added that even though the presiding officer is conducting the business in the absence of a Speaker, he is treated as the Speaker and it is binding on him not to make any political statements.

“While it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the House functions properly, it is the responsibility of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to see whether the Ministers of the department are present in the House. In such a case, the custom and tradition should be followed from the highest position in the House,” Wadettiwar said.

Mumbai, July 5: Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray will on Saturday participate in a joint victory rally organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), in Worli Dome to celebrate the MahaYuti government’s decision to withdraw two government resolutions on the introduction of Hindi from Classes 1 to 5.

It will be the first joint rally of the Thackeray cousin brothers Uddhav and Raj, after the split in the Shiv Sena in 2005.

Amid talks of coming together ahead of the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections slated to be held within the next six months, Uddhav and Raj have decided to jointly rake up the issues of Marathi language and ‘Marathi Manoos’ in a serious bid to corner the BJP-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra.

Both the parties have decided not to display party flags and banners but the Shiv Sainiks and ManSainiks have worked hard to put up a major show of strength on Saturday.

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will be seen on the same platform as they will reach the joint rally venue at 11.30 A.M.

Before they speak, the Communist leader Prakash Reddy, the Peasants and Workers Party of India leader Jayant Patil and NCP (SP) leader and party MP Supriya Sule will address the rally.

Incidentally, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has conveyed his inability to be part of the joint rally due to prior engagements but said his party is against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra.

The senior Pawar chose to stay away so that the focus will remain on both the Thackeray brothers.

The Congress has decided not to join the rally especially due to differences with Raj Thackeray’s protests against Hindi speaking people, especially North Indians.

Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS sources said that if the Congress decides to join at the last moment the party representative will be given an opportunity to address the joint rally.

Big screens have been installed inside and outside the joint rally venue as the organisers expect a big turnout.

Both the Thackeray cousins have said that the issue of imposition of Hindi is not yet over as the government’s move to appoint the Narendra Jadhav committee is meaningless and they will continue to oppose the introduction of Hindi.