Latest news with #MaharashtraAssembly
Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra to cancel 42,000 fake birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi nationals by Aug 15
The state government will cancel over 42,000 fake birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in Maharashtra by August 15, state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Bawankule said the figure could rise as verification continues. 'By August 15, fake birth certificates given to Bangladeshis staying illegally in the state will be cancelled,' he said, adding that the revenue and health departments have been directed to coordinate on the matter. The minister also held a video conference with the state Chief Secretary to review the progress of the exercise. The issue gained attention earlier this year after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that 3,997 birth certificates had been fraudulently issued to Bangladeshi nationals using forged documents. Following the allegation, two officials posted in Malegaon were suspended. In March, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told the Maharashtra Assembly that the government had ramped up its crackdown on illegal immigrants over the past four years. 109 Bangladeshis were deported in 2021,77 in 2022,127 in 2023 and in 2024, 716 arrests and 202 deportations have been recorded so far. Until March 2024, action had been taken against 600 more Bangladeshi nationals found living illegally in Maharashtra.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Why is govt shielding Manikrao Kokate?': Rohit Pawar says probe shows minister played online game in House for 20 minutes
Intensifying his attack against Manikrao Kokate, who was recently found playing an online game in the Maharashtra Assembly, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed Wednesday that the Agriculture Minister played Rummy in the House for much longer than he had claimed. 'The Agriculture Minister was not playing Rummy for just 42 seconds but for 18 to 22 minutes. This has become clear from the probe report of the state legislature. This report has been submitted to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Will the government clarify about it?' Rohit asked through a post on social media. He added, 'If this government is not going to take action against a minister who was playing Rummy online for 18-22 minutes, then the Chief Minister has no moral right to claim that he followed the ideology of Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Similarly, Ajit dada has no moral right to claim that he followed the teachings of late Yashwantrao Chavan.' Speaking to The Indian Express, Rohit Pawar said, 'Our stand is that Kokate should be sacked. Why is the government not taking action against him? Why is the government shielding him?' Rohit said he had not seen the state legislature's probe report on Kokate, 'but those who have seen it told me.' It was widely speculated that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) head and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would ask Kokate to resign in the wake of the recent controversy. However, on Tuesday, Ajit appeared to let him off with a warning. Kokate was cautioned not to repeat such behaviour and, in turn, he promised not to make controversial remarks and to follow party discipline, sources in the NCP said. On Tuesday, Kokate met Ajit in his chamber at the Mantralaya, the state government's administrative headquarters, for half an hour, party sources said. 'He apologised for the Rummy incident and promised that such a thing would not happen in the future. Kokate pleaded that he should be given one last chance, after which Ajit Pawar relented and did not ask him to resign,' an NCP leader said. At the Cabinet meeting that followed, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his displeasure at the controversial statements made by ministers. 'He said it affected the party's image,' said a BJP spokesperson.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Court seeks Ajit Pawar's party leader's reply in Anjali Damania defamation case
A Magistrate court in Mumbai has directed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) - Ajit Pawar faction's spokesperson Suraj Chavan to file a response in a criminal defamation case filed against him by activist and whistleblower Anjali case, filed before the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate court, stems from remarks allegedly made by Chavan during a televised debate, which Damania claims were defamatory and intended to tarnish her to Damania's complaint, the comments followed her criticism of Ajit Pawar's 'pink campaign' — an outreach initiative targeting women voters ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Damania had posted her views on social media, which reportedly triggered backlash from NCP supporters. In response, Chavan made statements on a news channel that Damania alleges were false, baseless, and intended to discredit her public image and past activism. The complaint also asserts that Chavan's remarks were widely circulated on social media, exacerbating the damage to her reputation and standing in public has sought action under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to criminal defamation, and has urged the court to take cognisance of the offence and initiate appropriate legal proceedings. She has also requested that the police be directed to investigate the matter and collect relevant has to file a reply by September 8.- Ends
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
What is Maharashtra's new security Bill?
The story so far: The Maharashtra Legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill or a 'Bill to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar organisations', during the recent monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. The Bill has been termed as 'oppressive, ambiguous and open to misuse' by opposition leaders. What is the Bill? The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill was brought in to counter 'urban Naxalism', as per the government of Maharashtra. The Bill states that, 'the menace of Naxalism is not only limited to remote areas of the Naxal affected States but its presence is increasing in the urban areas also through the Naxal frontal organisations. The spread of active frontal organisations of the Naxal groups gives constant and effective support in terms of logistics and safe refuge to their armed cadres. The seized literature of Naxals shows 'safe houses' and 'urban dens' of the Maoist network in the cities of the State of Maharashtra.' The Maharashtra government claims that the State has become a safe haven for 'urban Naxal' organisations. It has said that over 60 such organisations exist in Maharashtra, and that current laws are ineffective against them. However, civil rights activists say that the State government has not yet made public the list of these organisations, despite repeated requests. They have alleged that the Bill has been brought about to control left-wing organisations and civil rights activists who had rallied against the BJP in the 2024 Parliamentary elections. What about other States? Maharashtra is the fifth State after Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to enact a Public Security Act 'for more effective prevention of unlawful activities of such organisations.' The government has claimed that the other States have banned 48 frontal organisations under similar laws. But civil rights activists contend that the Public Security Acts in other States were brought in before the promulgation of more stringent pieces of legislation like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They said that the Maharashtra government itself has claimed to have curbed left-wing armed extremists to only two districts of the State, with the help of currently existing laws, thus questioning the need for such a stringent Act at this time. When was the Bill introduced? The Bill was first introduced by the earlier Mahayuti government at the fag end of the monsoon session of Maharashtra Assembly in 2024. The State elections were held thereafter, and the BJP came back to power along with its allies with a thumping majority. The new government revived the Bill and introduced it during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly on December 20, 2024. A day later, a joint committee of members from both the Houses was formed to scrutinise the Bill. The committee received over 12,500 suggestions and objections but made only three amendments to the draft Bill. The activists have called the three changes 'minor'. After being cleared by the joint committee, the Bill was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on July 10. Only the Communist Party of India (Marxist) opposed the Bill. Other opposition parties raised objections, but did not oppose the Bill, which was passed by a majority by a voice vote. Two delegations have since met the Governor requesting him to not sign the Bill and send it back to the Legislature instead. What are the objections to the Bill? The opposition has said that the Bill empowers the government to declare organisations 'illegal' without due process; allows suppression of facts in 'public interest'; allows the government to extend ban on an organisation without any limit on the duration; has the potential to criminalise regular opposition under an ambiguous definition of 'illegal activity'; excludes lower courts from jurisdiction, effectively closing off easy judicial remedies; provides full protection to State officials acting in 'good faith'; and creates grounds for ideologically motivated action against opposition groups, activists and movements. The government has said that democratic and peaceful protests as well as journalists will not come under the Bill's ambit, but the ambiguity in the Bill has given rise to fear that it might be used against farmers' organisations, students' groups, and civil rights groups under the label of 'threat to public order'. For example, Section 2(f) of the Bill criminalises speech (spoken or written), signs, gestures or visual representations which 'tend to interfere' with public order or 'cause concern'. The opposition has said that such a provision allows authorities to criminalise expression, assembly, criticism, ridicule and association merely by indicating that they pose a potential threat. There is no requirement of actual violence, immediate harm or intent. What next? The Bill will become a law once the Governor gives his assent to it. It has been passed by both the Houses and has been sent to him. Meanwhile, civil rights activists and political parties have said they will continue to protest against the Bill and will approach the court against it.
NDTV
22-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Rummy-Playing Minister's Birthday Wish For Ajit Pawar Is 'Get Out Of Jail' Card?
Mumbai: Caught playing cards in the Maharashtra Assembly while it was in session, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate appeared to be currying favour with Nationalist Congress Party boss and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, with a grand 'happy birthday' message Tuesday morning. 'Happy birthday, dada (as Mr Pawar is referred to within his party)' was written across 11 acres of agricultural land within the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area. The message was etched across a field in Mr Kokate's Sinnar constituency. And, of course, also featured a large photograph of the birthday boy, i.e., Mr Pawar. Reports said eight people, led by artists Mangesh Nipanikar and Kshipra Mankar, and two tractors worked 10 hours a day for six days to prepare the outlandish message. Will the message have the effect Mr Kokate wants? That is unclear. What is clear is that Ajit Pawar is under pressure to sack his minister, with the opposition having targeted his NCP and the ruling alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Mr Pawar is also under pressure, sources told NDTV, from within that ruling alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis - already under fire for failing to stem violent conduct by goons with political backing in the Marathi language row - criticised Mr Kokate's conduct. Sources told NDTV other members of the BJP and the third member of the Mahayuti bloc, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, have also criticised the Agriculture Minister's actions, and believe a "strong public message" is necessary for the ruling alliance to retain credibility with the public. The NCP has yet to decide on Mr Kokate's fate. Meanwhile, the card-playing minister has, unsurprisingly, played down the row, declaring this a "small issue" and defended himself by claiming he wasn't actually playing for money. "... why did (this issue) get stretched out so much? You can't play online rummy if your phone and bank account are not linked... I will give my details and everyone can check," he said, declaring also he would take legal action against those who said he played cards in the House. VIDEO | Maharashtra Minister Caught Playing Rummy In Assembly. His Defence Earlier Mr Kokate claimed he wasn't actually playing the game and that it "got downloaded on my phone". He said he had been trying to "skip it" and accused the opposition of targeting him with an incomplete clip, "I tried twice (but) didn't know how... but next second, I skipped it." The video of Mr Kokata playing (or trying to skip) the game, depending on which protestation is accepted, has been severely criticised by the opposition, with NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar's grandnephew, Rohit Pawar, leading the charge. In a post on X Mr Pawar said: "Will these misguided ministers and the government ever hear the desperate plea of farmers demanding crop insurance, loan waivers, and price support?" #राजीनामा_द्यावाच_लागेल! सभागृहाचं कामकाज संपलं होतं हे कृषिमंत्री महोदयांचं विधान धडधडीत खोटं आहे. उलट विकासाच्या मूळ प्रवाहापासून दूर असलेल्या आदिवासी बांधवांना दुधाळ जनावरं देण्याच्या अत्यंत महत्त्वाच्या विषयावर सभागृहात चर्चा सुरु होती, पण 'ओसाड गावच्या पाटलांना' या चर्चेत… — Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) July 22, 2025 That Rohit Pawar is fronting the opposition attack on this issue is significant, given Ajit Pawar led rebel NCP MLAs out of the then-Sharad Pawar-ruled party in 2023 and delivered them to the BJP's camp. That strengthened the saffron party's control of the Maharashtra government. Rohit Pawar doubled down on his criticism this morning, slamming Mr Kokate for a "blatantly false" statement that the House was not in session when he was caught playing cards. "On the contrary, a discussion was underway on the extremely important issue of providing milch animals to tribal brethren who are far from the mainstream of development..." Mr Pawar also questioned Mr Kokate's other claim - that he was trying to "skip the game". "... tell me, which advertisement for a card game takes 42 seconds to skip?" he asked as he repeated the opposition's demand for the Agriculture Minister to stand down.
