Latest news with #Marathas
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
How a dowry death case in Pune has led to code for simple weddings in Maratha community
In the wake of Vaishnavi Hagawane's suicide, allegedly driven by demands of dowry by her marital family, members of the Maratha community converged at Ahilyanagar on Sunday to introspect and draw up a code of conduct to curb extravagant weddings, in the hope that such a societal pressure might help curb harassment of women. The meeting was chaired by Haribhakt Parayan Badrinath Maharaj Tanpure, a kirtankar of the Warkari tradition who belongs to a family of preachers known to advocate social equality. Over time he has earned recognition and lakhs of followers, and is known as a socially conscious kirtankar of the Warkari tradition, thanks to his progressive ideology. On May 19, after 23-year-old Vaishnavi was found dead at her marital home in Bavdhan, Pune, her father, Anil Kaspate, in an FIR filed at Bavdhan police station alleged that at her in-laws were pressuring them for a Toyota Fortuner, after the family had given them gifts in gold and silver. Vaishnavi's suicide created such a storm that her father-in-law, Rajendra Hagawane, an NCP leader, was expelled from the party, following which police arrested multiple members of the family, including Hagawane and Vaishnavi's husband, Shashank. Both the Hagawanes and Kaspates are Marathas. At the meeting in Ahilyanagar, participants condemned the dowry system and proposed an 11-point wedding code of conduct. Among the resolutions were: avoiding lavish weddings with no pre-wedding shoots, limiting the guest list to 100-200 people and using traditional musicians instead of DJs. Crucially, the community resolved to boycott weddings where pre-wedding photo or video shoots are displayed during ceremonies. 'Dowry must be avoided and the money should instead be kept as a fixed deposit in the girl's name,' the participants suggested. B Dhumal, an author and entrepreneur, who participated in the meeting, said: 'This incident has awakened the entire community. We deliberated over the issue and came up with suggestions. After compiling them, we have drawn up a code of conduct for weddings in the community.' Others who participated in the meeting include NCP MLA Chetan Tupe, former mayors of Pune Ankush Kakde and Rajlaxmi Bhosale, former corporator Shrikant Shirole, and Maratha activist Rajendra Kondhare. Shirole said, 'Middle class families often emulate the rich and get trapped in loans and thereby incur stress.' Bhosale added, 'Daughters-in-law must know that they will be supported by their families if they are harassed.' Members of the committee have now decided to visit different localities to spread awareness, 'as the community needs to adopt change on its own,' said Tanpure. But will the community follow a code that lacks legal backing? 'A large part of the community is not economically well off – for them this code will be convenient. As for the rich, if the poor decide not to support them, they will have to fall in line eventually,' said Dhumal. Sakal Maratha Samaj convenor Chandrakant Gade Patil, also a participant of the meeting, added, 'It is possible to hold weddings on a small scale once social pressure builds. During COVID-19, many did it successfully.' Marathas comprise over 30 per cent of the state's population. The community is also politically active with most public representatives including MLAs and MPs emerging from here. Over the past few years, the economically influential and politically connected community members have seen organising big fat weddings, attended by thousands. Earlier, on May 26, prominent Maratha families and political leaders convened in Pune to express concern over the culture of extravagant weddings, especially when coupled with demands for dowry. Reflecting on the way forward, Pune Congress chief Arvind Shinde said, 'The community has resolved to socially boycott families who harass their daughters-in-law. No one will marry into such families.' It now remains to be seen if this momentum for reform will sustain.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Marathas' demand to review OBC list will be placed before state backward classes panel, says chairman Shukre
Kolhapur: Justice Sunil Shukre (retired), the chairman of the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes, announced that the Maratha community's request to review Other Backward Category caste listings will be considered by the commission within two months for discussion and verdict. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Sunday, Maratha community representatives met with Shukre during his one-day visit to Kolhapur to engage with various stakeholders. The Maratha delegation requested implementation of the legal provision for periodic OBC list review, as stipulated by the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 2005. According to section 11 of the Act, after 10 years, state govt can revise the lists to remove classes no longer considered backwards or include new backward classes. Since the commission's establishment 10 years ago, this periodic assessment has not been conducted. Maratha representatives alleged that several castes were included in the OBC list without proper procedure, bypassing the Supreme Court's requirement for empirical data collection. Shukre said, "The demands were placed before us. The demands were of two types based on the two sections (9 and 11) of the Act passed in 2005. On the basis of the two sections, the Maratha representation has sought the implementation of what has been said in the two sections. They told me that the demand has the support of the Supreme Court's comments in recent times." The chairman added, "The demand is to review the backwardness of the existing OBCs for which the empirical data is required. The demand is to make suitable recommendations over the castes that have progressed and do not require reservation, and should be excluded, and those who are demanding the reservation under OBC should get one if they deserve it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They told me that they are not against any caste but have a rightful demand to review the conditions which were not been met so far. We will place the demand, and the commission will deliberate upon and take the decision. In the next two months, I hope the demands are discussed and a conclusion is drawn. We will let the Maratha community know about the decision." Maratha community members, including activist Manoj Jarange, seek inclusion in the OBC category. Currently, OBCs receive 27% reservation in govt positions and admissions, corresponding to their estimated 54% population share. Pravin Indulkar, a Maratha activist and lawyer who attended the meeting, said, "Many castes have been included in the OBC list without quantifiable data. Some even on the basis of reports of just two to three pages. As per the Act, the review was mandatory, but it never happened due to political pressure. The SC, in the Jayashri Patil case, has indicated that including Marathas into the OBC list is the only solution for Marathas to get the reservation, but for that, the reviewing of the OBC list is required. " Maratha representatives have indicated potential protests if the commission fails to initiate the periodic OBC list review in the upcoming months.
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First Post
4 days ago
- General
- First Post
300 years on, Ahilyabai Holkar still defines true Nari Shakti
Saturday was the 300th birth anniversary of a queen whose contributions revived not just the temples but also led to a re-emergence of a Hindu consciousness read more A few months ago, while driving through rural West Bengal, the GPS suddenly showed me as being on Ahilyabai Holkar Road. I was aware of Rani Ahilyabai's work in terms of contributing to the construction or reconstruction of temples in key Hindu pilgrim destinations across many parts of India, but Bengal was a surprise. Some research revealed that while she may not have been active in Bengal, the impact of her spiritual contribution was so deep that respect for her was a national phenomenon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last Saturday was the 300th anniversary of her birth. As with many such stellar figures, her origins were humble. Born on May 31, 1725 in a village, in what is now Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, her father was a 'Patil' of their village – a revenue official. One day, the Maratha chieftain Malhar Rao Holkar was passing through the village and spotted little Ahilya in the temple. Impressed with her character, he sought her as his daughter in law. Ahilya was married to Malhar Rao's son, Khanderao, in 1733. He was about ten and she was eight. Word is that Khanderao had been an errant boy and Malhar Rao had sought to temper him through the alliance with Ahilya. It worked and the older Khanderao began showing higher commitment to working with his father, in the latter's rapidly growing responsibilities as a key pillar of the Maratha confederacy. Ahilya and Khanderao were blessed with a son in 1745 and a daughter in 1748. From her mother-in-law, who almost brought her up to an extent, Ahilya learnt not just values but also accounts and administration. Life took a dramatic turn in 1754. Khanderao, who had been involved in many battles to expand the influence of the Marathas, was killed during an assault on Kumher Fort. Malhar Rao prevented the grieving Ahilya from committing Sati and over time, taught her the nuances of diplomacy, statecraft and even military affairs. Chhatri or memorial cenotaph of Malhar Rao Holkar at Alampur, Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh. Built by Ahilayabai Holkar after his death in 1766 In saving Ahilyabai from Sati, Malhar Rao had done Bharat an immense service. The decades that followed saw her work leave an indelible impact not just on the Holkar state, but across the country. It was an anarchic period to live in, even worse to govern a land in central India. As the Mughal empire crumbled, its provinces effectively became independent kingdoms. Incursions from Persia and Afghanistan were frequent. European merchants began to flex their military muscles and take control of territory. The Marathas themselves asserted their might and tried to carve out an empire of their own, overcoming the setback of Panipat 1761 to take control of Delhi for a period. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The guiding hand of Malhar Rao ended with his passing in 1766. Ahilya's son succeeded him but died in less than a year. From that point, till her own death in 1795, Ahilyabai was de facto ruler of the Holkar state herself. Amidst the anarchy around the country, her territory was an island of sanctity and calm. Not only did she preserve the borders of the Holkar state but strengthened it financially – and she did so without expanding her borders. She leveraged her state's geography by revitalising trade routes and growing trade and commerce. Even the communities that indulged in banditry were given an incentive to desist. While inheriting a robust agrarian revenue base from Malhar Rao, as well as revenue from defeated Rajput princes, she created a grain reserve which alleviated conditions when much of the country was impacted by famine. This ensured agricultural continuity. But her greatest contribution – for which she is held in near-reverence – was in the religious space. She played a pivotal role in the re-installation of idols at Somnath and Kashi Vishwanath. She built temples, ghats, dharamshalas, gardens and ensured prayers at places as far removed from each other as the Char Dham, Mathura, Ayodhya, Gaya, Haridwar and even Kanchipuram. Apart from contributing to Ujjain and Omkareshwar, in her own kingdom. The full list of temples she touched is too long to recount here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vishnupad Temple at Gaya in 1885, rebuilt by Ahilyabai Ahilya Ghat at Varanasi. Source: Wikipedia Given that so many of these temples were in territories outside her domain, she used to write to rulers of these distant regions, asking for her to be allowed to restore a dilapidated temple or build a new ghat, at her cost. It is said that merely the mention of Ahilyabai's name in such requests was enough. And once permission was granted, her workmen would carry out the work. Coming after centuries of neglect and destruction, her contributions revived not just the temples but led to a reemergence of a Hindu consciousness also. The temples she restored to life are still in existence, the traditions she began still practiced, the ghats she created are still a place for journeys into oneself. And in an era where rulers undertook vast construction projects from public money for the sole purpose of ensuring their own immortality, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of her religious work was the funding. The money for all of this was drawn from her personal fortune, not public money. And furthermore, in undertaking such projects, she had the clarity that many 'liberals' lack in modern India – seeing the deep, underlying cultural oneness in the land that is Bharat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In her personal life, she was spartan. Her court was not extravagant, accounts were carefully maintained, and corruption weeded out – remarkable again, in an age where even minor nobles were profligate. Sadly, though, tragedy marked her life. Her son, Malerao, was mentally unstable – accounts say he was also debauched – and died an early death. In 1791, her daughter committed Sati on the funeral pyre of her husband – something Ahilya was unable to prevent. But the noble queen's work continued, till her end came. The legacy of the woman who truly defined Nari Shakti can be seen in two dimensions. The larger one is national and its impact seen from Kedarnath to Kanchipuram. But her personal legacy is in Madhya Pradesh. In Alampur (Bhind), where she built Malhar Rao Holkar's cenotaph where he was cremated. In places like Indore's Rajwada Palace, which has a museum on the queen. In Indore's Chhatribaug, where she built memorials to her father-in-law, husband and son. In tiny Kampel near Indore, where a kacheri is now a tehsil headquarters. In nearby Omkareshwar's Jyotirlinga, where she contributed a silver idol, a house for drums, a flower-garden, apart from a palanquin and boat to connect this island on the Narmada. At Bakawan and Mardana, where she built Shiva temples. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vishnupad Temple at Gaya in 1885, rebuilt by Ahilyabai But if there is one place where one can almost feel her presence, it is the fort of Maheshwar on the banks of the Narmada. Maheshwar Fort Maheshwar Fort with temples within In Maheshwar, the tradition of weaving that Ahilya began continues in the form of glorious Maheshwari sarees that provide employment to women. The ghats are dotted with Shiva lingas. Temples seem to be everywhere, among them the most magnificent is Ahilyeshwar shrine. At sunset, a visitor sitting quietly on these ghats might spot a woman lighting a diya—or was it just his imagination? The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Radhikaraje Gaekwad slams ‘The Royals' for ignoring real Indian royal families
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda has strongly criticised the series 'The Royals', calling out its false narrative and the way it sidelines the real struggles of India's royal families. As the show, starring Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, and Sakshi Tanwar, gears up for its second season, Radhikaraje took to Instagram to share her disappointment over how the series glosses over the historical sacrifices made by India's 565 princely states. India, fought a 'bloodless war' According to Radhikaraje, these royal families, who once controlled over 40% of India, fought a 'bloodless war' and gave up their lands, homes, and privileges to help build a united, democratic India. Quoting Sardar Patel, she described the merger as a peaceful revolution that marked an era of uncertainty for the royals, who sacrificed their centuries-old identities for the greater national cause. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Twitter Can't Get Enough of Ishaan and Bhumi's Stellar Performance Yet, the show reduces this rich and complex history to mere entertainment, focusing on glitzy portrayals of royal life in chiffons and pearls, rather than highlighting the profound sacrifices behind the glamour. Radhikaraje didn't hold back in pointing out the lasting impact of the 1971 abolition of the Privy Purse. She wrote, 'We have no privileges or official titles in society, and yet we continue to maintain our name and heritage in our personal capacity, without government funding.' She added that India's royals come from diverse backgrounds — Brahmins, Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs, and Muslims — and many have emerged as leading hoteliers, wildlife conservationists, bureaucrats, army officers, and educationists. 'Our families have been maintaining charitable hospitals, schools, and colleges set up by our forefathers,' she emphasized. Despite lacking official status, these families still hold the affection and respect of their people, often addressed as 'Bapji, Bapu, Daata, or Maa Saheb.' Young Royals Balancing Tradition and Modernity Radhikaraje concluded her post by spotlighting the next generation. 'The young royals are too returning to their roots, armed with degrees from universities around the world. They proudly straddle the two worlds, speak their mother tongue, wear their turbans, but work to make their heritage sustainable, relatable, and accessible.'
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Inside the Laxmi Vilas Palace of Gujarat, four times the size of Buckingham Palace
India is home to some of the most majestic palaces in the world, but did you know that Laxmi Vilas Palace in Gujarat is four times the size of England's Buckingham Palace? More than just a royal residence, this architectural marvel stands as a symbol of history, culture, and grandeur. 'Gujarat's Laxmi Vilas Palace wasn't ruled by Gujaratis but by the Marathas. This grand residential building remains one of the most majestic in the world,' says Prateik Babbar in a series on palaces he hosted for Curly Tales. Still inhabited by the Gaekwad royal family, the palace continues to exude its regal charm, blending the past with the present. Renowned fashion influencer Komal Pandey took the viewers inside the palace. With 550 acres of grandeur, the palace is nothing short of spectacular: 'Now I know what they mean when they say it's four times the size of Buckingham Palace!,' Pandey exclaims. Despite its fairy tale setting, this palace is still a living home. The lady of the palace, Radhikaraje Gaekwad, says she is still uncovering the palace's hidden corners. 'I'm still discovering many parts of the palace. Of course, I know most of it, but there are still nooks and corners that escape me, even after all these years,' she says in the video. The palace was built in 1878 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and named after his wife, Maharani Laxmibai, whom he married in 1880. 'Maharani Jamnabai was searching for an heir. When a young boy boldly declared, 'I want to rule Baroda,' she adopted him as her son. He later became Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III,' according to the video. The palace is an exquisite blend of Indian and European influences. Sandstone from Agra, Carrara marble, and intricate carvings by local Gujarati craftsmen—the palace is an architectural masterpiece. The palace also features Raj Abhishek Hall, where the kings were crowned, marking the beginning of their reigns. The Pratap Shastra wing showcases a remarkable collection of royal weapons, including: The Gaekwad family has a rich culinary heritage, blending flavours from Gujarati, Maratha, and Peshwa traditions. 'Gujarati food is a big part of our diet—we love Kathiawadi dal, undhiyu, and dal dhoklo,' Gaekwad says. She has also established Gazra Café at the palace, an inclusive café run by the LGBTQ+ community. 'The food is amazing—I think I can indulge now and burn off the calories later!' The palace hosts one of the world's largest Garba celebrations, attracting over 40,000 people every Navratri. As the dhol beats fill the air, dancers move in rhythmic circles, barefoot on the earth, staying close to their roots, both literally and spiritually. Laxmi Vilas Palace is where history, culture, and modernity come together.
