Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday condemned Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane’s remark on EVMs, describing it as “shocking” and contrary to the inclusive values upheld during India’s freedom struggle.

Stating that targeting any particular community is wrong, Tharoor asserted that everyone is an equal citizen of the country and that’s the only way for the country to progress.

Speaking to Media, Tharoor said, “This kind of thing is quite shocking. In our country, we really have to understand the basic lesson of the freedom struggle, which is that when one set of people said that religion is the basis of their nationhood. They went away and created Pakistan. Mahatma Gandhi onwards, our leader said we have fought for the freedom of everybody. We will create a country for everybody, we will write a constitution for everybody, and everybody will live here with equal rights.”

“I must say that people picking on any one community, whether it’s against Muslims, Hindus, Christians, or any caste, that is all wrong. We are all equal individual citizens of India, and that is the only basis on which our country can progress,” he added.

This comes after Maharashtra’s Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, addressing a Hindu Garjana Sabha in Sangli on Friday, reportedly made derogatory remarks saying, “EVM means, Every Vote against Mullah.”

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Brinda Karat also condemned the minister’s remarks and called for the arrest of Rane.

“This is a hate speech and this man should be arrested. This man is a threat to India as this is not the first time he has made such an outrageous communal statement… The fact that he continues as a minister is a reflection of the hypocrisy of the BJP and the RSS… Prime Minister talks of the Constitution and here his minister is destroying the basic foundation of the Constitution through this hate speech, so he must be removed from his post,” Karat said.

Mumbai, Jan 11: In a major milestone for Mumbai’s metro network, the Chief Commissioner of Rail Safety (CCRS) has granted safety certification for the regular authorisation of Mumbai Metro Line 7 (Red Line) and Metro Line 2A (Yellow Line).

This achievement marks the successful compliance with all conditions set during the provisional authorisation, enabling unrestricted operations at a full capacity speed of 80 kmph, up from the previous temporary speed limit of 50 to 60 kmph at certain locations.

Both lines, operated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), are critical to easing congestion on Mumbai’s busiest routes. Metro Line 2A spans 18.6 km from Dahisar to DN Nagar with 17 stations, while Metro Line 7 covers 16.5 km from Andheri (E) to Dahisar (E) with 13 stations. Together, they serve over 2.5 lakh daily passengers, with cumulative ridership exceeding 15 crore since operations began.

MMRDA’s efforts to implement state-of-the-art technology – such as driverless-capable trainsets, Communications-based train control (CBTC) signaling, platform screen doors, and innovative ticketing systems – aim to provide Mumbai with a safe, eco-friendly, and efficient metro network. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “The regular authorisation for Metro Lines 7 and 2A is a step closer to transforming Mumbai into a world-class city with an efficient transport network.

This achievement reflects our government’s commitment to providing sustainable, time-saving, and eco-friendly mobility options for Mumbaikars. With this development, we are delivering on our promise to make Mumbai’s public transport system the backbone of its progress.”

Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman MMRDA Eknath Shinde commented: “Mumbai’s metro expansion is a game changer for the city, and the regular authorisation of Metro Lines 7 and 2A is a testament to MMRDA’s dedication to its vision. This will significantly reduce congestion on key routes and improve the quality of life for commuters. We remain committed to further developing Mumbai’s metro network to meet the demands of our ever-growing city.”

Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said: “This milestone reflects MMRDA’s relentless efforts to adhere to the highest safety standards and operational excellence. The removal of speed restrictions and the safety certification by CCRS will enhance the metro experience.”

Mumbai, Jan 11: Amid raging controversy over the brutal killing of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the case, booked all eight accused under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Saturday.

Sudarshan Ghule, Prateek Ghule, Sudhir Sangle, Krishna Andhale, Vishnu Chate, Siddharth Sonawane, Mahesh Kedar and Jayram Chate, who have been so far arrested in the case, will be tried under the MCOCA.

Interestingly, Walmik Karad, a close confidant of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, who has been under arrest after his surrender in a dramatic manner in connection with extortion, has not been booked under the MCOCA.

Karad, the “mastermind” behind the killing of sarpanch, has been booked for extortion.

According to MCOCA, organised crime is defined as any unlawful continuing activity by an individual, singly or jointly, either as a member of a crime syndicate or on behalf of such a syndicate, by the use or threat or violence, terrorism, coercion, intimidation, insurgency or other means intending to gain undue economic gains or advantage of himself or a group.

According to Section 3 (1) of the MCOCA, the accused can be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of five years to life. It also provides for confiscation of the property of the accused.

The SIT’s move comes at a time when all-party protests are being held across the state demanding justice for the family of Santosh Deshmukh and the execution of the accused involved in the murder.

The protestors are also demanding that Karad be booked for murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further, the protestors are also demanding the resignation of NCP Dhananjay Munde in the wake of his proximity with Karad.

NCP legislator Prakash Solanke has demanded that Munde should resign or be kept as minister without a portfolio until a fair investigation into the case is completed.

On the other hand, Suresh Ramchandra Dhas, BJP legislator from the Ashti Assembly seat in Beed district, has been quite vocal in this case demanding stern action against the accused.

He has repeatedly targeted Dhananjay Munde for the deteriorating law and order in Beed district during his tenure as the District Guardian Minister.

Dhas said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the state government will not spare anyone and the accused will be booked under MCOCA.

Although Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar announced that strict action will be taken against those found guilty, regardless of party affiliation, he has ruled out Dhananjay Munde’s resignation citing that CID, SIT and judicial commission probes in the case were underway.