Page 64 - Maharashtra

300 booked for raising 'objectionable' slogans during protest in Pune

Police have registered a case against nearly 300 people after alleged objectionable slogans were raised during a protest outside the Pune District Collectorate, an official said on Sunday. A Sarvdharm Sambhav Mahamorcha' was organised on Friday to protest against the recent purported remarks by religious leader Ramgiri Maharaj against Islam. During the protest, the alleged slogans were raised, the official said. According to the police, the morcha was organised without permission and the slogans created communal tension and enmity between communities. An offence has been registered at the Bundgarden police station against 200-300 people who had participated in the morcha, said a senior police official. The case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for unlawful assembly, promoting enmity on grounds of religion, race and language and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony and under the Maharashtra Police Act. Ramgiri Maharaj had allegedly made ..

PM Modi to visit Maharashtra today to felicitate new 1.1 mn Lakhpati Didis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jalgaon in Maharashtra on Sunday to felicitate 11 lakh new 'Lakhpati Didis' who achieved the mark during the third term of his government. An official statement on Saturday said Modi would also release a revolving fund of Rs 2,500 crore that would benefit about 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh self-help groups (SHGs). He will disburse bank loans of Rs 5,000 crore, which will benefit 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs, it added. Since the inception of the scheme for making 'Lakhpati Didis' a woman member of a self-help group earning Rs 1 lakh annually one crore women have already joined the rank. The government has set a target to make three crore 'Lakhpati Didis'.

Sexual offenders should be castrated: Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Amid the outrage over the Badlapur sexual assault incident, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said those guilty of offences against women should be castrated. He was speaking at an official program about the Mahayuti government's flagship 'Ladki Bahin' scheme for women at Yavatmal in eastern Maharashtra. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government in the state would not spare anyone accused of offences against women, whoever the person may be, and a bill providing for a more stringent punishment in such offences has been forwarded to the President for the assent, he said. "I personally feel that when such perverts lay hand on our mothers-sisters, our daughters, they should face such a legal punishment that they should not think of (repeating the offence) again. To put it in my language, such persons' private organ should be removed....Some people are so vile, that this must be done," Pawar said. Alleged sexual assault of two kindergarten girls at a school at Badlapur in

Looking forward to participate in 'lakhpati didi sammelan', says PM Modi

PM Modi will visit Jalgaon in Maharashtra and Jodhpur in Rajasthan on August 25. At around 11:15 AM, the Prime Minister will participate in the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan

MPCB accuses Mercedes-Benz of non-compliance with environmental standards

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Saturday alleged non-compliance with environmental standards by the luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India at its Pune manufacturing facility and sought a comprehensive review of the plant's operations. Mercedes-Benz India, in a statement, said it has not received any "written notice" or formal request from MPCB describing the claimed violations and was ready to take any "corrective action" if required. MPCB, in a release, said it came across the alleged violations of the guidelines during an inspection of the facility on Friday. "During a routine inspection conducted on August 23, 2024, it was discovered that the Mercedes Benz assembly plant in Chakan, Pune, is not adhering to the pollution control guidelines set by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)," the board said in the release. The board has instructed its regional officer to take immediate action to ensure that the Mercedes Benz assembly plant complies with all MPCB ...

Govt directs insurance firm to pay Rs 225 cr to Maha farmers in a week

The Central government on Saturday directed an insurance company to pay pending claims of up to Rs 225 crore to about 2 lakh farmers in Maharashtra's Parbhani district within a week. The order follows Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's interaction with farmers in Nanded on August 21, where issues of pending soyabean crop insurance claims were raised. On August 22, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare held a meeting of the National Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The committee rejected the insurance company's objections to crop-cutting experiments and ordered the settlement of pending claims, an official statement said. The name of the insurance company was not disclosed in the statement. The Central TAC on Saturday issued a formal order to the insurance company to pay the dues within seven days. This decision will benefit approximately 2 lakh farmers in Parbhani district, with payouts ranging between Rs 200 to 225 crore. Chouhan had instructed ...

Badlapur incident hit Maharashtra's image in country, says Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said the Badlapur incident involving the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a school has hit the image of Maharashtra in the country. He accused the state government of forgetting that the responsibility for the safety of women lies with it. Pawar, who took part in a silent protest in Pune, said the government is insensitive if it thinks the opposition is playing politics over the Badlapur incident. The Badlapur incident has hit the image of Maharashtra in the country, said the chief of NCP (SP), which is a constituent of the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), also comprising Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Pawar said such an incident has taken place in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji who used to chop off the hands of culprits involved in crimes against women. The alleged sexual assault on two 4-year-old girls by a male attendant at a school in Badlapur of Thane district had led to a massive protest in

Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray calls for Shakti Bill implementation

The Opposition parties had called for a state-wide strike in Maharashtra on August 24 before the Bombay high Court ordered against it

Crime against women, kids rising in Maha, perpetrators fearless: Wadettiwar

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar claimed on Saturday that crimes against women and children in the state are rising and perpetrators have no fear of the law. He alleged that those occupying the chairs of the chief minister and deputy CMs do not deserve the posts. The Congress leader was speaking to reporters about the recent sexual crimes against women and children, including the Badlapur incident that has caused a massive outrage. Wadettiwar claimed there is no law and order in the state. Such incidents have brought shame to Maharashtra, he said. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has time to address Ladki Bahin Yojana programmes (a women-centric initiative) but he has no time to meet the families of the victims, the leader of the opposition said. Most such crimes are happening in Thane, and the perpetrators are Shiv Sena supporters. They seem to have no fear, as their leader holds the top post, he said. CM Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, is a powerful le

Nepal bus accident: 48 pilgrims, 2 bodies arrive through land route

27 Indians, all from Maharashtra, who were visiting Nepal, were killed and 16 others injured after the bus they were travelling in veered off the highway and fell into Marsyangdi River

Don't agree with HC order but called off Aug 24 Maharashtra bandh: Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday expressed disagreement with a Bombay High Court order restraining political parties from calling a bandh, but asserted the opposition bloc MVA has withdrawn its proposed shutdown in Maharashtra on Saturday over a sexual abuse case in a school. Addressing a press conference, Thackeray said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has called off the August 24 (Saturday) bandh after the HC order, but leaders and workers from opposition parties will protest against the Mahayuti government with black bands tied around their mouth across the state. The former CM, whose party is a constituent of the MVA, said he will also join the protest. "We don't agree with the High Court order on bandh," Thackeray maintained. Earlier in the day, the HC restrained political parties or individuals from proceeding with a Maharashtra bandh over the sexual assault incident, on August 24 or any future date, saying such a protest will paralyse normal life. A division ben

Uddhav announces Maha bandh to stage protest against Badlapur incident

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday demanded the withdrawal of the cases against those who had protested in Badlapur against the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls at a local school. Addressing a news conference, Thackeray said the August 24 Maharashtra Bandh' called by the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is against "perversion" and urged people cutting across caste and religion to participate in it. He said the bandh should be strictly followed till 2 pm, ensuring that emergency services remain operational. Slamming the Eknath Shinde government for still making arrests in connection with the Badlapur protest, Thackeray said, The cases against the protesters must be withdrawn. A massive protest rocked Badlapur town in Thane district on Tuesday after thousands of people hit the streets and spilled onto railway tracks to protest the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at a local school. At least 25 police personnel w

Maha doctors end stir after CM assurances on security, working conditions

Resident doctors in Maharashtra withdrew their agitation on Thursday following the state government's assurances to take measures for their security, 10 days after they struck work demanding better workplace conditions in the wake of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee medico in Kolkata. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured resident doctors that measures would be taken with utmost sensitivity about their security at workplace. Following the assurance, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), which was spearheading the strike after the August 9 Kolkata rape-murder horror, announced calling off their agitation, an official release said here. During the strike, the resident doctors, who sought speedy justice for the family of the Kolkata victim, stayed away from attending non-emergency medical services at public hospitals in the state. Shinde also assured positive action on their demands for availability of hostels and regular payment of stipend, said the release. .

Maharashtra's gazetted officers' body to go on strike from Aug 29

The Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Mahasangh on Thursday said it will go on an indefinite strike from August 29 if its demands, including reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme, are not met. The move comes ahead of the state assembly polls likely to be held in October or November. The MSGOM said as stated in the state budget, the government must issue a government resolution on the OPS. It said the issue of OPS has been discussed with the state government but it is not being implemented. It has also demanded that the retirement age of state government employees be raised to 60 from 58. The MSOGM, while opposing the system of contractual jobs, demanded that three lakh vacant posts be filled by the state government.

Parents, MNS workers seek action against abusive teacher in Thane school

Scores of parents stormed into a school in Thane on Thursday seeking action against a teacher who allegedly hit a student, resulting in injuries to his head. As per parents, the woman teacher, who allegedly hit the student, routinely subjected students to abusive language over the last two years and would ask them to boycott some of their colleagues. The parents, who entered the school along with local functionaries of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, claimed previous complaints to the management had yielded no results. The management has taken a lethargic approach in the matter so far and the teacher must not be allowed to be part of the school, Thane-Palghar MNS chief Avinash Jadhav said. On Thursday, the school management said the teacher had been asked not to enter the premises, adding that it had written to the education department to suspend her and take further action. A copy of the letter written by the school management to the state education department is with PTI. "We ..

Shakti Bill lingers as Badlapur protests grow over schoolchildren rape

The Shakti Bill, which was unanimously passed by the Maharashtra Assembly nearly three years ago, remains unimplemented

Those who feel there is politics behind Badlapur protest abnormal: Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said those who feel there is politics behind Tuesday's Badlapur protest over the alleged sexual assault on two kindergarten girls are either abnormal or protectors of the culprits. He said there is no political motive behind the bandh called by the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on August 24. The bandh is aimed at creating the awareness that the security of women should be a priority and also awakening the government. Those who feel there is politics behind the Badlapur protest are either abnormal or protectors of the culprits, the Sena (UBT) chief said at a news conference. A massive protest rocked Badlapur town in Thane district on Tuesday after thousands of people hit the streets and spilled onto railway tracks to protest the alleged sexual assault on two four-year-old girls by a male attendant on the premises of a local school. At least 25 police personnel were injured in the incidents of stone-pelting at the railway .

Badlapur assault shocking, there cannot be compromise on girls' safety: HC

The Bombay High Court on Thursday called the sexual assault on two minor girls at their school in Badlapur absolutely shocking and said that there cannot be any compromise on the safety and security of girls. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan said that action ought to be taken against the school authorities for not reporting the incident despite being aware of it. It also blasted the police over the delay in registering the FIR. The court had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the incident where two four-year-old girls were sexually assaulted inside the school's washroom at Badlapur in Thane district by a male attendant on August 12 and 13. The FIR in the case was lodged on August 16 and the accused was arrested on August 17, as per court documents. The bench said the police machinery had not moved till the public hit the streets with a protest and outburst. Unless there is strong public outburst, machinery won't move. Won't the state mov

Protesters in Badlapur were locals, not outsiders: Raut slams Maha govt

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has said that those who had protested at Badlapur against the alleged sexual assault on two kindergarten girls at a school were locals and not outsiders as claimed by the Maharashtra government. In a post on X late on Wednesday night, Raut shared a copy of the police remand application of the people arrested for rioting at Badlapur station which said that most of the protesters were locals. In the post, Raut also tagged Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters blocked the railway tracks at Badlapur station over the alleged sexual assault on the two 4-year-old girls by a male attendant at a local school. The police had to resort to lathi charge after the protesters pelted stones. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said on Wednesday that the protest at Badlapur station over the alleged sexual assault on the two KG students was politically motivated with an aim to malign the state government and those ...

Badlapur sexual assault: No truth in allegations, claim parents of accused

The parents of the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case on Thursday claimed that their son was innocent and he had been framed. Speaking to a Marathi news channel, the parents said there is no truth in the allegations against their son. The accused, who worked as an attendant, has been arrested for allegedly sexually molesting two 4-year-old girl students inside the toilet of a school in Badlapur town in Maharashtra's Thane district. A local court on Wednesday sent him to police custody till August 26. Our son had been doing the job for the past 15 days. He used to go to the school by 11 am daily to clean the bathroom. He would then proceed to another place for similar work, his mother claimed. The mother said they learnt on August 13 that such an incident had happened in the school. Their son was detained on August 17, she said. A woman working with the school told me about the incident and about my son being taken to the police chowki (on August 17). I rushed there and sa