दुर्गाडी किल्ल्यावर हिंदूना प्रवेशबंदी, बकरी ईद दिवशी दोन्ही शिवसेनांचं 'घंटा नाद' आंदोलन!
Entry Of Hindus Banned At Durgadi Fort Protests By Both Shiv Sena Parties On Bakri Eid
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
After Congress' Mhetre, more opposition leaders cross over to Shiv Sena
MUMBAI: Days after former minister and senior Congress leader from Solapur Siddharam Mhetre joined the Shiv Sena led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, another once-Congress leader from Ahilyanagar joined Shinde's party on Saturday. Former MLA Bhanudas Murkute was inducted into the Sena on Saturday along with other leaders from various other opposition parties. Murkute, 84, who has been in various parties, including the Congress in the 1980s and '90s, Janata Dal, undivided NCP and Bharat Rashtra Samithi, joined the Sena with his family members and followers. The three-term MLA from Shrirampur has been in politics for over four decades though, according to the observers from Ahilyanagar, his political strength has waned over the last few years. Murkute was arrested in October last year on allegations of sexual assault. Former deputy chairman of the Shrirampur municipal council and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Chhallare was another key leader from Ahilyanagar to join the Shinde-led Sena. Shinde said that Murkute's joining his party would help it in winning big in the forthcoming local body polls. 'Bhanudas Murkute has joined the Sena with his robust team of supporters from Shrirampur,' he said. 'He has come to us with a belief in the Mahayuti government's development of Maharashtra. The induction has strengthened our party in Ahilyanagar and this will reflect in the local body polls, which are considered to be the elections of party workers.' Murkute said that he and his supporters would work in the interest of the party, follow the ideology of Bal Thackeray and ensure success in the local body polls. The former MLA leads the Ashok Cooperative Sugar Factory and was the director of the district cooperative bank. He enjoys clout in the cooperative sector in the district and the Sena expects to benefit from this clout in the local body polls. Senior Congress leader Siddharam Mhetre joined the Shiv Sena in Solapur on Thursday. Mhetre was a minister of state during the tenure of once of the Congress-NCP governments, and has a following in the Lingayat community which is dominant in Akkalkot constituency in Solapur. Mhetre said that he was joining the Sena in the expectation of getting funds for the irrigation projects in his constituency. In March this year, a former Congress leader from Kasba in Pune joined the Shiv Sena months after being defeated in the Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate. Shinde said that the induction of all these leaders had helped the Shiv Sena strengthen its base in their respective districts prior to the local body polls. The latter are expected to be held in October or November this year.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What ails MU's study and research centres?
MUMBAI: Around five years ago, on December 6, 2020, a senior Shiv Sena minister led the ground-breaking ceremony of what was to be a world-class study and research centre on the legacy of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, founder of India's Dalit movement and architect of the Indian Constitution, at the Kalina campus of the University of Mumbai. The event, presided over by then minister for higher and technical education and currently industries minister, Uday Samant, was conducted with much fanfare and attended by then chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray. The centre was to be the go-to research academy for scholars, faculty and students from all over the world, anyone who wanted to immerse themselves in the life and work of Dr Ambedkar. It appears to have been no more than a pipe dream, for five years later, the centre functions out of temporary premises in the absence of a permanent space. And while it offers a Master's degree and a diploma, its goals remain frustratingly out of reach. Study and research centres such as this have been in focus since a new study centre named after Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who shaped the Hindutva ideology, was inaugurated recently. Many of the older ones, at the university's Kalina campus, are barely limping along, keeping themselves afloat via workshops and lectures, and the occasional academic programme. Lacking funding and absent from the university's priority list, some of these centres operate out of vacant classrooms and office spaces. Announced by politicians, academics say these centres are either little more than publicity stunts targeting specific vote banks or serve to appease senior political figures. With a vision as myopic as this, how can these research centres achieve their grand academic ambitions? Let's take a closer look at five research centres at the Kalina campus. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies It was established in 2006 to mark the university's 150th anniversary and to honour the legacy of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The centre began as a special chair funded by the Union ministry of human resource development through the University Grants Commission (UGC). Over time, it developed into a full-fledged study centre focusing on contemporary issues. Today, the centre offers a Master's in Social Work (MSW) degree but little else. It lacks sufficient full-time faculty members to support the course. The centre has its own space, but it's not big enough to conduct proper classes. Vice-Chancellor Professor Ravindra Kulkarni said that while the centre was initially supported by central government funds for five years, it now runs on aid from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). 'We are trying to make it more active,' Kulkarni said. 'Recently, we organised a conference for NGOs through the centre, which brought in fresh ideas and perspectives.' Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre When it was announced in December 2020, this research centre was meant to attract scholars from all over the world, to be inspired by the legacy of one of India's foremost social reformers, political leaders and the architect of the Indian Constitution. It was also to lead research on the life and work of Dr Ambedkar. Today, the centre still doesn't have its own space. On its goals far from being achieved, Rohit Dhale, president of student organisation Chhatra Bharati, said, 'Just like political parties do, the university administration too offers no more than hollow assurances.' In defence of the centre, Kulkarni said, 'The centre runs academic programmes and conferences. In recent years, we organised two conferences in London through this centre and are running a Master's programme in Dr Ambedkar Studies and Development Studies. We also offer a post-graduate diploma in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Thoughts.' Like many of the other centres, this one too lacks funds. After the initial provision of ₹5 crore ran out, the university submitted a proposal to the UGC to approve the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar chair. This would help in appointing one professor, one assistant professor and one research scholar at the centre. Balasaheb Thackeray Study Centre Established in 2019 after being proposed in 2015 by then Shiv Sena ministers Ravindra Waikar and Vinod Tawde, this study centre is named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. It was meant to promote research into Indian culture, regional languages, and public speaking inspired by Thackeray's oratory skills. Currently working out of Sanskrit Bhavan at the Kalina campus, the centre still doesn't have a permanent space or academic programme. Yuva Sena (UBT) member and university senate member, Pradeep Sawant, said the centre was near-dormant. 'Other than events on Balasaheb's birth and death anniversaries, nothing substantial is happening. While we welcome the new Savarkar centre, older centres need attention too,' he said. Kulkarni said, 'We have organised workshops in cartooning, drawing, aerial photography and lectures inspired by Balasaheb's philosophy. The centre is active, and more events are planned.' Annabhau Sathe Centre The Sahityaratna Annabhau Sathe Study Centre, launched in 2021 to promote the work of Dalit writer and social reformer Tukaram Bhaurao Sathe, aims to translate his literature into other languages and conduct training through short courses and cultural activities. Despite these lofty ambitions, the centre has been running from Sanskrit Bhavan at the Kalina campus. A research scholar expressed disappointment, saying, 'I come from a rural area. I was excited to see the centre and wanted to sign up for a course here but it has no proper set-up or academic clarity.' The centre's recent achievement: Publishing a book by Prof Baliram Gaikwad, who also serves as its director. Bal Apte Centre Named after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue and former Rajya Sabha MP Bal Apte, the Prof Bal Apte Centre for Studies in Students and Youth Movements has seen quick progress since its inception in August 2019. It is set to launch a post-graduate course on youth movements from the upcoming academic year. A building to house the centre is also under construction at the Kalina campus. Kulkarni said, 'We have already hosted conferences and conclaves under this centre, and more will follow.'
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Thackeray cousins' photo in Saamana fuels reunion buzz
Amid intense speculation over possibility of an alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the former's mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Saturday published an old photograph of the estranged cousins, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, on its front page. Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray held a party meeting on Saturday to gauge the mood among his party leaders and workers on a possible alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT). 'Leaders from both sides have been deliberating on the possibilities of coming together as it is seen as the need of the hour for both the parties. Both parties are going through the troubled waters and it is the battle for survival for them,' a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said, requesting anonymity. Speculation of an alliance has picked up pace ahead of the ensuing civic body polls, likely to be held after the monsoon, and it was further fuelled by recent statements by the Thackeray cousins, who parted ways in 2006. Both leaders have hinted at a possible reconciliation, with Raj Thackeray maintaining it was not difficult to unite in the interest of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) while Uddhav Thackeray saying he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. On Friday, Uddhav Thackeray said whatever the people of Maharashtra wish will happen. The statement was highlighted with the photo of the two cousins together in Saamana. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrakant Khaire said the issue was discussed in a meeting at the party chief's residence, Matoshree, a month ago. 'Uddhavji was positive about joining hands with Raj Thackeray and the responsibility of talks was given to our leader Anil Parab,' he claimed. The MNS chief is also holding meetings with senior leaders of the party. Senior leader Bala Nandgaonkar, who was part of the Saturday meeting, said: 'The decision (about alliance with Uddhav Thackeray's party) will be taken by our top leader and it would not be proper for me to speak about it.' In a surprise statement, Gajanan Kirtikar of the rival Shiv Sena, led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, said even his party should join hands with the Thackeray cousins. 'The revival of the Thackeray brand is the need of the hour and it is the sentiment among the people of Maharashtra. It will be a people-friendly alliance and even Shinde-led Sena too should join them to revive the Shiv Sena,' Kiritkar said. Reacting to the development, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said it would be premature to react to the possible alliance. 'It would not be fair for me to react to what Raj Thackeray has said and how Uddhav Thackeray has reacted to it. More than two brothers, the media is excited about the reconciliation. I would react when it actually happens,' the senior BJP leader told reporters. Shinde also echoed the sentiments, saying: 'Everybody has the right to decide whom to go with. There is no point in reacting to the possibilities based on ifs and buts.'
