17

Mar

Political Turmoil Prevails In Maharashtra

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Dr. Salim Khan

 

Mumbai | Monday | 17 March 2025

The three-month-old Mahayuti government in Maharashtra has been witnessing considerable political turmoil. The problem started with the desecration of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue in Parbhani, where the constitutional symbol in his hand was broken in broad daylight. The accused was dismissed as mentally unstable, while a protesting student died in police custody. Chief Minister Fadnavis did not visit the grieving family but criticized Rahul Gandhi and others who went to meet the family.

Subsequently, a Sarpanch in Beed was murdered by an associate of the Minister of State. The murderer was initially shielded but later surrendered under public pressure. Meanwhile, controversy erupted over the film 'Chhava,' which falsely implicated the OBC Shirke community in the arrest of Chhatrapati Sambhaji. When the Shirke family threatened legal action, the producer apologized, acknowledging historical inaccuracies. Further scrutiny revealed derogatory references to Sambhaji in Golwalkar’s 'Bunch of Thoughts' and Savarkar’s writings. Historian Indrajit Sawant provided evidence that Brahmins, not the Shirke community, conspired against Sambhaji. He faced threats for exposing these facts, prompting Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal to compare the government to 'Ghashiram Kotwal' and demand accountability from the Chief Minister.

Prashant Koratkar, angered by Sawant’s claims, threatened him over the phone, even making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji. When the audio leaked, he absconded, yet no action was taken against him. Despite his prior threats, Koratkar secured bail before arrest. Outraged citizens organized a 'Shaiva Samman March' in Amravati, where protestors trampled his photo and demanded sedition charges. Congress leader Yashomati Thakur criticized the government’s silence, insisting that cases be filed against Koratkar and his supporter, Rahul Sholapurkar. Under pressure, Koratkar later issued an apologetic statement praising Shivaji but remained in hiding.

Article at a Glance
The Mahayuti government in Maharashtra is facing significant political turmoil, sparked by the desecration of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue and subsequent events, including a student's death in police custody. Chief Minister Fadnavis faced criticism for not visiting the grieving family while attacking opposition leaders. The murder of a Sarpanch linked to a minister further escalated tensions, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability. Controversy also arose over the film 'Chhava,' which misrepresented historical events involving the OBC Shirke community, prompting legal threats and public protests. Amidst this chaos, BJP leaders, particularly Nitish Rane, employed communal rhetoric to divert attention from internal issues, including targeting a young man accused of chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad.' Rane's divisive statements and actions, including threats against migrants and withholding development funds from opposition-led villages, have drawn condemnation for undermining constitutional norms and prioritizing political gain over governance.

To divert attention, media targeted MLA Abu Asim Azmi for stating that Shivaji and Aurangzeb’s conflict was political, not religious. Though Azmi did not insult Shivaji, he was attacked to shield Koratkar and Sholapurkar. The BJP frequently employs communal tactics when facing crises. A key figure in this strategy is Nitish Rane, who routinely issues provocative statements against Muslims, including threats of mosque violence and banning the burqa. The Chief Minister rejected his burqa ban demand, and when authorities dismissed calls to boycott Muslim traders at the Kanifnath Yatra, Rane vowed to enforce it statewide.

Despite being a Maratha, Rane did not demand sedition charges against Koratkar but celebrated the bulldozing of a road in Malvan following allegations by a VHP worker. To further shift focus, authorities targeted a young man accused of chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad' during a cricket match. Despite no verification, a mob gathered, demanding demolition of his parents’ shop. Ignoring Supreme Court rulings, the landlord joined the mob, leading to the shop’s demolition. Even the boy’s uncle’s store was bulldozed, and Rane cheered this injustice. Meanwhile, protests in Malvan demanded harsh punishment for the alleged slogan-raiser, despite the court granting him immediate bail.

Rane’s rhetoric also extends to regional discrimination, claiming he would expel 'foreigners' from Konkan, referring to migrants from Uttar Pradesh. He recently faced legal action from former Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MP Vinayak Raut for violating Article 164 (3) of the Constitution.

On February 15, 2025, in Sindhudurg, Rane declared that villages with Mahavikas Aghadi Sarpanches would receive no development funds, urging them to join the BJP instead. Constitutional expert Aseem Sarode condemned this as an unconstitutional, discriminatory act, stating that government funds belong to the people, not a political party.

While Rane postures as a fearless leader, he may soon retract his statements, much like Koratkar. Despite repeated humiliation, figures like him persist in their divisive politics, prioritizing political gains over constitutional norms.

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