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Pune: The Shiv Sena (UBT) Pune unit on Sunday staged an agitation against state govt's June GR on implementing the three-language policy, claiming that it is trying to impose the Hindi language on students in the state. According to the agitators, the compulsion "attacks Marathi identity in Maharashtra".Later in the day, govt announced that it has scrapped the GR and will constitute a committee to determine the way forward.During the protest in Pune, agitators burnt a copy of the GR at Lal Mahal Chowk. The GR had made learning Hindi a must from Std I.Shiv Sena (UBT) city unit chief Gajanan Tharkude said, "The decision to impose Hindi compulsion in primary education will give secondary treatment to the Marathi language. It is a well-planned conspiracy by state and Central govts." He added that they will take to the streets to protect the Marathi identity.A similar agitation was carried out by Sena (UBT) in Mumbai. Agitators also said the party would launch more intense agitations in days to come if the issue persists.
Nagpur: Forced or allured conversion is violence, and bringing tribal brethren back to their original fold is correction, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat during the valedictory function of RSS' Karyakarta Vikas Varg-II at Hedgewar Smruti Mandir premises in Reshimbagh on Thursday.Bhagwat was responding to concerns raised by the chief guest, former Congressman and minister in Indira Gandhi's govt, Arvind Netam, who warned the gathering of swayamsevaks that widespread conversions threaten the identity and existence of India's tribal communities. "If this contin ...Read More >
Mumbai: NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Friday threw his weight behind Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray in their protest against the Maharashtra government's controversial move to make Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5. Pawar said the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but stated that forcing the language on young children is inappropriate and undermines the importance of the mother tongue. Speaking to reporters, Pawar said, "At the primary level, the mother tongue is critical for a child's development. Making Hindi mandatory from Cl ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 28 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has alleged that a controversy over the 'imposition' of Hindi language in Maharashtra was being created to divert people's attention from core issues and underlined the need to improve the quality of education. Claiming a drastic cut in the budgetary allocation for education, the former Maharashtra chief minister said the focus should be on providing quality education to students and strengthening infrastructure in the educational sector. "The budgetary allocation on education should be increased. The controversies over English an ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Mysuru Dasara is set to run for 11 days this year -- a rare extension driven by celestial alignment and cultural planning -- with the inaugural ceremony on Sept 22 and the grand Jamboo Savari taking place on Oct 2, coinciding with Vijayadashami and Gandhi Jayanti.Chairing a high-level meeting at Vidhana Soudha Friday, chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "Mysuru Dasara in 2025 will be celebrated for 11 days, due to a unique astronomical occurrence -- the Panchami tithi (fifth lunar day) will appear on two consecutive days, Sept 26 and 27, a rare alignment that hasn't occurred in nearly ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The differences surfaced in Mahayuti alliance partners over introducing Hindi as a third language in primary schools in Maharashtra. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar taking a different stand against his own Mahayuti government, Mr Pawar said that there is no need to introduce Hindi from primary school. He said the school education department should focus on teaching Marathi as the first language from standard - I, while Hindi should be introduced from class V only. "In the tender age, we should not put an additional burden on the students with Hindi as a third language to learn. Stud ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will unite for the cause of the Marathi language, in a joint morcha in Mumbai on July 5 against the "imposition" of Hindi and the state government's three-language formula for Classes 1 to 5. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Friday said it will support the protest march, with Pawar asserting that the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on young students. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray will be seen together at the ...Read More >
Pune: Amid the call for a joint protest march by the Thackeray cousins on July 5 against the state govt over the alleged "imposition" of the Hindi language from Class 1, Mahayuti partner, deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Saturday said that he is also not in favour of making Hindi compulsory from Class 1.Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS workers have started a campaign to gather crowds for the rally. Along with social media posts, the parties are also putting up posters of the march, and in one of the ...Read More >
MUMBAI: Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad on Sunday accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government of launching a false propaganda campaign to undermine public resistance against its alleged "anti-Marathi" agenda and push for the imposition of Hindi. The former state school education minister also refuted claims that the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, in which Congress was an ally, had accepted the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. "We are not against the Hindi language, but we will not tolerate its forced imposition on Maharashtra ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Sunday decided to boycott the customary high tea event of the Fadnavis government on the eve of the Legislature's Monsoon Session, citing corruption, misuse of funds and the deterioration of the economic, social, administrative and moral situation. The opposition leaders alleged that not appointing the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly was a murder of the Constitution, and efforts are underway to curb democracy. The opposition parties claimed that amid rising corruption, unemployment, crime against women, fa ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 8 (UNI) A 'pucca Mumbaikar' Sunit Prakash and his Gujarat-rooted wife Lalita Kasanji - both dual New Zealand-Australia citizens - have been selected for the 'Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit' honour for services to the Information Technology industry and the Indian diaspora there. The Royal honours -- similar to India's top Padma national awards -- will soon be conferred on the Indian-origin couple by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, the representative of King Charles III of the United Kingdom. New Zealand recognises the British monarch as its head of state. ...Read More >
Kolhapur, June 27: NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday said that the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on young students in Class 1-4. Speaking to reporters here, he said 55 per cent of the country's population speaks Hindi, and one cannot ignore it. A language row erupted in Maharashtra after the state government last week issued an amended order stating Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. Three-Language Policy Debate: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadna ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jun 7 (PTI) A 26-year-old man allegedly beheaded his wife following a heated argument on the outskirts of Bengaluru after he suspected her of having an extra-marital affair, police said on Saturday. After killing Manasa, Shankar travelled with her severed head on his scooter to the nearest police station and confessed to the crime, they said. The man was later arrested, police said, adding that the incident occurred at Heelalige village, near Chandapura, Anekal taluk late on Friday. According to the police, the couple were married for over five years and have a four-year-old daug ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The BJP-led State government's decision to introduce Hindi as the third language in primary schools may bring the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray together in defence of Marathi and the interests of the 'Marathi manoos'. After meeting Maharashtra Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray categorically rejected the government's rationale behind the move. He asserted that if the State government were genuinely committed to fulfilling the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), it should instead consider intro ...Read More >
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has called for a significant protest march on July 5 at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai against the "imposition of Hindi." Thackeray emphasized that the march will showcase Marathi unity, cultural pride, and will exclude political flags, focusing solely on the Marathi agenda. The protest comes amid debates over making Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra schools.Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has called for a large-scale protest march on July 5 at Girgaon Chow ...Read More >
Mumbai: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will hold a joint protest march of their parties in the city on July 5 against what they allege is imposition of Hindi in the state's schools from Class 1 through the new three-language policy. This will be the first time they will come together on a political platform after Raj Thackeray's decision to quit Shiv Sena to form MNS nearly two decades ago.There has been speculation of a reunion of the estranged cousins for the coming civic polls, and the protest march is being seen as the first step in that direction, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.Uddhav and Raj had ...Read More >
Imphal, June 29 (UNI) A series of successful operations carried out by Manipur Police and security forces during the last 24 hours led to the arrest of several individuals involved in vehicle theft, insurgent activity, and the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. Police arrested a vehicle lifter identified as Syed Riyaj from his residence at Lilong Chaobok in Thoubal District. The arrest was made under Lilong Police Station. Authorities seized a blue two wheeler without registration number, along with a key and an Aadhaar card believed to be linked to the suspect. In a s ...Read More >
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday announced a significant update in its approach to conducting the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students for the year 2025. The UGC has invited public feedback on the revised methodology aiming to refine the examination process for a better and more efficient testing environment for candidates. Since its inception in 1956 under the UGC Act, UGC has been pivotal in setting and maintaining the standards for higher education, coordinating with universities, and providing fina ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen, amid talks of possibility of an alliance between his party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. Talking to reporters here, the former chief minister said there was no confusion in the minds of the workers of both the parties about this. "Whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen," Thackeray said. The Thackeray cousins have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with their recent statements indicating that they ...Read More >
MUMBAI: There is growing speculation that the Thackeray cousins may unite to contest the BMC and other local body elections against their Mahayuti alliance partners. On Friday, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) indicated that his party will align with the people's wishes. When asked about his possible collaboration with his cousin MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) president said that whatever the people desire will happen. He also said that he will soon share "good news". Reacting to the developments, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the Mahayuti would contest the election ...Read More >
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will jointly organize a protest march on July 5 against the state government's reported move to make Hindi compulsory up to Class 4 under the 'Three Language Policy'. The announcement was made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut at a press conference on Friday. Raut said, "We are not against any language. We have always respected Hindi. People like us have always valued it. Our party uses Hindi in many ways. But the recent decision to make Hindi compulsory as the third language up to Class 4 under the 'Three Language P ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday claimed that the Mahayuti government has "imposed" Hindi as a third language in Marathi and English schools for classes 1 to 5 due to the pressure from the Centre and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Raut stepped up attacks against the Centre and the Mahayuti government for "forcing" Hindi as the third language in the state curriculum. At the same time, he reminded that veteran RSS leader Bhayyaji Joshi had recently said that Marathi is not the language of Mumbai. "There was pressure from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Raging controversy over the introduction of Hindi in Marathi and English schools from classes 1 to 5, the protests against the land acquisition for the Rs 86,300 crore Shaktipeeth Mahamarg, tabling of Public Security Act following the scrutiny of the joint select committee, damage caused to agriculture due to unseasonal rains and demand for from loan waiver are among the several issues which are going to be discussed during the three week monsoon session of Maharashtra Legislature starting from June 30 in Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the ...Read More >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
Imphal, June 7 (UNI) Three militants were nabbed in separate incidents during the last 24 hours in Manipur, police said on Saturday. Manipur Police arrested a militant from Moidangpok Awang Leikai from Khumbong Bazar under Imphal West District, they said. Security forces arrested a militant from the Elangkhanpokpi Mayai Leikai area under Kakching district. Security forces apprehended a militant from Wangoo Samushang in Bishnupur district and elected members from Kumbi area. In an operation, one M16 rifle, one bolt-action rifle, three pull-mechanism rifles, three improvised mortars, and fiv ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will jointly organize a protest march on July 5 against the state government's reported move to make Hindi compulsory up to Class 4 under the 'Three Language Policy'. The announcement was made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut at a press conference on Friday. Also Read | Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray to Unite Against Hindi 'Imposition' in Maharashtra Schools, Says Sanjay Raut. Raut said, "We are not against any language. We have always respected Hindi. People like us have alway ...Read More >
Mumbai: With the opposition against the "imposition" of Hindi gaining momentum in Maharashtra, a government-appointed advisory committee has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to roll back the decision to introduce the language in primary classes. The Language Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the government on matters related to the Marathi language, passed a resolution on Friday demanding that no third language, including Hindi, be taught before Class 5. The resolution was passed during a meeting held in Pune, attended by 20 out of 27 committee members. Kiran Kulkarni, ...Read More >
Pune: Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane said on Sunday that the idea of the 'Hindu Rashtra' would be strengthened if the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita were propagated in "mohallas" for the "transformation of thoughts". Noting that the Gita never preaches hatred or advocates (religious) conversions, Rane said, "If its teachings spread to mohallas (Muslim areas), even their thoughts will transform. This will make our Hindu Rashtra stronger". "Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita promote harmony and transformation of thought. Its message should reach every corner," he told reporters. A ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said his party is ready to come together with anyone who will work to protect the interests of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos, his statement coming amid the rapprochement buzz between the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Talking to reporters here, Thackeray accused the BJP of "swallowing" Mumbai and Maharashtra. He said injustice is being meted out to Maharashtra by the BJP. "We have been saying this consistently. We are ready to work with anyone, any party that is ready to ...Read More >