Dalit outreach: Shinde Sena joins hands with Anandraj Ambedkar ahead of civic polls
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
In a bid to strengthen its ranks ahead of the civic body polls, the Shiv Sena (Shinde) has forged a pre-poll alliance with Anandraj Ambedkar 's Republican Sena . Anandraj, grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and younger brother of Prakash Ambedkar-who leads the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA)-may not wield as much political clout as his elder brother but retains pockets of influence within the Dalit community.The move is being closely watched as, despite its alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena has yet to formally announce a tie-up for the civic polls. It is seen as a signal to the BJP that the Sena could upset its plans if it goes solo, with the saffron-Dalit combination proving advantageous for Shinde's party."We have faith in each other. We are both grassroots workers, and there will be no issues unlike the Maha Vikas Aghadi. We have come together with a shared mindset-our alliance is meant to benefit the people," Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said at a joint press conference with Ambedkar on Wednesday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Day after flag-hoisting snub, Shinde and Gogawale skip cabinet meet
Mumbai: A day after the state govt did not name Shiv Sena ministers for the flag-hoisting programmes on Independence Day in Raigad and Nashik, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde and cabinet member Bharat Gogawale skipped the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Gogawale said he was firm on becoming tne guardian minister of Raigad, and hoisting the national flag did not make NCP minister Aditi Tatkare the guardian minister of Raigad. Gogawale and Shiv Sena minister Dada Bhuse, who is vying to become guardian minister of Nashik district, said they should get to hoist the national flag in Raigad and Nashik, respectively, since the two districts had no guardian minister so far. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai The state govt on Monday issued a circular stating that the national flag would be hoisted by NCP minister Aditi Tatkare in Raigad and BJP minister Girish Mahajan in Nashik on Independence Day on Friday. Shiv Sena functionaries said both Shinde and Gogawale had informed the chief minister's office that they would not attend the cabinet meeting on Tuesday since they were not in the city. The opposition MVA slammed the state govt over failing to appoint guardian ministers for Raigad and Nashik districts. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Shinde was shown his place and claimed that the deputy chief minister had complained to Union home minister Amit Shah about the matter. Gogawale said he would accept whatever decision the seniors had taken for the flag-hoisting. "We think that the seniors will take a decision after the flag-hoisting. Sunil Tatkare and Eknath Shinde must have met to discuss some state matters. But I did not ask what was discussed. We never ask leaders where they are going or why. I have no objection to the flag-hoisting being done by Aditi Tatkare. We have to accept the decision taken by the seniors," Gogawale said. Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant said that no politics should be brought into national days like Independence Day. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Deccan Herald
5 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Untouchability: A collective failure
Even 75 years after Independence, a damning truth confronts the country: the chains of caste oppression remain unbroken. The Justice H N Nagamohan Das Commission's report on internal reservations lays bare an uncomfortable truth – untouchability remains deeply entrenched in our social fabric. This is not merely discrimination; it is a brutal system of oppression that has adapted to modern times while retaining its medieval cruelty. The Commission's findings shock the conscience: 75 per cent of Scheduled Caste (SC) members still face untouchability, with the Madiga community suffering the worst. The manifestations are barbaric: denial of entry to temples, exclusion from community dining, segregation in schools, separate drinking glasses, and bonded labour. Most shocking are the complaints of sexual violence and forced consumption of human excreta. All 101 SC castes in the state experience some form of discrimination, ranging from severe to moderate oppression, proving that no Dalit community is untouched by this social report also flags a disturbing pattern in reporting these atrocities. Only relatively empowered Dalit communities are reported to have filed complaints. While ten communities accounted for more than 100 atrocity cases in the last five years, 45 registered none. This is not because they were spared but due to their dependence on the dominant castes for livelihood, fear of retaliation, and the absence of a supportive environment. The abysmal single-digit conviction rate under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, caused by police apathy, witness intimidation, and protracted trials, only emboldens perpetrators. Three urgent reforms must guide Karnataka's response. First, education must be the equaliser. Second, economic empowerment should reach the poorest of Dalits, not just a privileged few within the community. The committee's identification of the most marginalised subgroups can help targeted welfare policies. Third, the justice system needs an overhaul – exclusive special courts, a witness protection mechanism, and time-bound trials are report is not just a document – it is an indictment of our collective failure. Karnataka, which is home to India's IT revolution, cannot claim progress while such dehumanising practices persist. The state must launch a comprehensive mission that combines education, economic justice, and legal reform. More importantly, civil society and political leadership must demonstrate the courage to confront this shameful reality. Until every Indian can drink from the same well, eat at the same table, and worship in the same temple, our freedom remains incomplete. Only decisive action can redeem the promise of our Constitution.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Pratibha Shinde of Lok Sangharsh leaves Congress, after year-long stint as state vice-president, for NCP
Nashik: Pratibha Shinde, the state vice president of Congress and a prominent leader of Lok Sangharsh morcha defending tribal rights, has resigned from the party and has decided to move to NCP less than a year after her appointment. Shinde, who joined Congress in Dec 2023, has been a key advocate for the tribal communities in Nashik, Nandurbar, Dhule, and Jalgaon districts since the 1990s. Influenced by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, she chose to join the same party she had previously agitated against for tribal rights. "Rahul Gandhi is very committed to his ideals. Whatever you call it, we were agitating against the same Congress when it was in power for the rights of the tribals, and it is not that our fight was futile. We got our just demands sanctioned during our agitations. However, after we met Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Jalgaon-Jamod (Buldhana district) in Nov 2022, I was invited by him to join the party to ensure more teeth to the agitations. I accepted that a year later," Shinde said. In July 2024, Shinde was promoted as vice president of state Congress and she endeavoured to raise tribal demands with govt. However, after allegedly failing to receive support from the grassroots, she chose to sever ties with Congress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Take a spoonful on an empty stomach and watch the fat go down the drain gofitlifeguide Click Here Undo "Whenever I met the seniors in the party, even the current ones, I was told that since I was directly inducted, I could draw my own programmes, clearly indicating that my position was not taken professionally in the party," alleged Shinde. Shinde also attempted to engage with senior members of NCP (SP) but received no response, leading her to join NCP and become part of Mahayuti. When questioned about her decision to transfer to NCP rather than any other Mahayuti party, Shinde said, "I cannot think of Shiv Sena in either form — be it led by Eknath Shinde or Uddhav Thackeray. BJP is also out of the question given the stand of all these three parties on Hindutva. Since NCP has been walking the path of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's teachings, I decided to join the party." Addressing her transition from an organisation fighting for tribal rights to active politics, Shinde said, "I have realised that fighting alone is not the solution. We have been fighting since 1992, and though we have achieved great milestones, it is important to bring in the change by being part of the system." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
