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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Congress slams Shinde for backing Kadam: ‘Which version of Hindutva allows dance bars'
A day after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde extended support to his party colleague and Minister of State (Home) Yogesh Kadam, who has been facing flak over connections with a dance bar, opposition Congress Monday questioned whether Shinde's Hindutva allows running dance bars. 'How can Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde justify supporting a dance bar? For someone who claims to uphold the ideals of Hindutva, in which version of Hindutva does making girls dance in bars find a place?' asked state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal. On Sunday, speaking at a public function at Khed in Ratnagiri, Shinde had come out in support of Kadam saying not only him but the entire party stands firmly with Yogesh Kadam. 'It is wrong to demand resignation (of Kadam). The entire party and myself stand firmly with Yogesh Kadam. Those who themselves are buried under the mud of corruption are attacking others,' Shinde had said. Kadam had landed in controversy after a dance bar named Sawali in Kandivali was being operated under a licence held by his mother. 'Shinde shamelessly defended a minister who is linked to a dance bar This is the height of brazenness. If not for public decency, at least have some conscience,' said Sapkal. Sapkal said, 'On one hand, they claim to be brothers to their beloved sisters benefited under Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, and on the other hand, they support dance bars that shatter those very sisters' lives—how can they do this with a straight face? Minister Yogesh Kadam must be dismissed from the cabinet.' Meanwhile, Sena leader Sheetal Mhatre slammed Sapkal saying he should not dare to talk ill about Shinde. 'Sapkal should avoid making such unsubstantiated allegations. His words have no truth and if he keeps on making such statements then he will face the wrath of Shiv Sena's women wing,' said Mhatre.


News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Raj Thackeray's MNS Supporters Assault Coaching Centre Head In Mumbai
Last Updated: Political violence in Maharashtra resurfaced as Raj Thackeray's MNS goons attacked Siddharth Singh Chandel, head of a coaching centre near Mumbai. The attack was recorded. Political violence resurfaced in Maharashtra when goons affiliated with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena physically attacked the head of an academic coaching centre near Mumbai. In a two-and-a-half-minute online video, three MNS men sit across a desk from Siddharth Singh Chandel, who runs the Siddhartha Logic coaching centre in the city's Kalyan suburb that preps students for competitive examinations, including for entry to the Indian Administrative Service. The goons alleged that Chandel charged high fees but did not take classes. In the video, Chandel, who is on a mobile phone, attempts to calm the goons. However, the situation escalates quickly; seconds into the clip, one of the goons slaps him, and a second throws a stainless-steel bottle at him. Taken aback, Chandel tries to pacify them again. Later, a third man throws a wooden plaque at Chandel. In the corner of the room, a group of young girls huddle together, one of them recording the assault on her phone. Meanwhile, one of the attackers summons another, who then points accusingly at Chandel. By now, the MNS goons came around the table menacingly. Attacks by Raj Thackeray's MNS goons have escalated recently, often targeting individuals over perceived slights to the Marathi language and community, with the aggressors seemingly emboldened by political backing. This surge follows recent incidents, such as the assault of a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road and another in Vikhroli, NDTV reported. Migrant auto drivers, who came to Mumbai seeking employment, have also been targeted in attacks. Even after all this, neither the party nor Raj Thackeray have apologised or even acknowledged the horrific impropriety of their actions. The MNS chief has defended and even praised the attackers. And his party has warned of more attacks and violence if Thackeray is criticised. The controversy centres around recent directives from the state government, issued in April and June, which require all schools in Maharashtra to make Hindi a compulsory subject for students in Classes I to V. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Raj Thackeray's MNS Continues Rampage, Assaults Mumbai Coaching Centre Head
Mumbai: Political thuggery reared its ugly head in Maharashtra again after goons from Raj Thackeray 's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena assaulted the head of an academic coaching centre near Mumbai. In a two-and-a-half-minute video shared online three MNS men sit across a desk from the Siddharth Singh Chandel, who runs the Siddhartha Logic coaching centre in the city's Kalyan suburb that preps students for competitive examinations, including for entry to the Indian Administrative Service. Mr Chandel, the goons had alleged, charged high fees but did not take classes. In the video Mr Chandel - who is on a mobile phone - tries to pacify the ruffians. But the situation escalates quickly; seconds into the clip one of the goons slaps him and a second throws a stainless-steel bottle at him. Taken aback Mr Chandel tries to pacify them again. But then a third man throws a wooden plaque at Mr Chandel. Meanwhile, huddled in the corner of the room there are some young girls, one of whom is filming the attack on her mobile phone. One of the goons calls another who points accusingly at Mr Chandel. By this time the MNS goons have come around the table menacingly. The video cuts out with Mr Chandel on his feet and being threatened by one of his attackers. Incidents of Raj Thackeray's MNS thugs attacking people - over 'insults' to the Marathi language and people, and emboldened by political protection - have increased over the past weeks, particularly after the assault of a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road and another in Vikhroli. There have also been attacks on auto drivers who migrated to Mumbai in search of jobs. Neither the party nor Mr Thackeray have apologised or even acknowledged the horrific impropriety of their actions. In fact, the MNS chief has defended and even praised the attackers. And his party has warned of more attacks and violence if Mr Thackeray is criticised. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has refused to apolgoise for attacks by his party workers (File). And, in each case, the party thugs were protected from police action. In the assault on the Mira Road shopkeeper, for example, the seven men involved in the attack were only summoned by the cops after pressure from NDTV, and were then released without any action. That several attacks were filmed and there were still no arrests is a matter of concern. At the heart of this are protests against state government orders - in April and June - making Hindi a 'mandatory' language for students from Class I to V in all schools across Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray has rallied behind Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction, with the estranged cousins - son and nephew of Sena founder Bal Thackeray - to protest the 'imposition' of Hindi. READ |" Dubo-Dubo Ke Maarenge": Raj Thackeray Slams Nishikant Dubey, He Says...... Violence over the Marathi language also triggered a political row between the MNS and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, with BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Mr Thackeray exchanging barbs. What was shocking was Home Minister Yogesh Kadam's response; he said 'action will be taken' against anyone who 'disrespects Marathi', but made no mention of punishing the hooligans. "Marathi will have to be spoken in Maharashtra..."


Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
A day ago, Khadse targeted Mahajan; Opp says misuse of police machinery
A day before the arrest of Eknath Khadse's son-in-law in connection with the alleged drug seizure at a Pune apartment Sunday, the former state minister had launched an attack on BJP minister Girish Maharaj alleging lack of development in Jalgaon. After the arrest as well, Khadse, hinting at his tussle with Mahajan, said: 'I was suspecting that something like this would happen because of the prevailing political scenario.' The Opposition leaders also linked the arrest to Khadse's allegations against Mahajan, claiming that the BJP-led government is using police to target opponents. Meanwhile, minister Mahajan said that if Khadse believed his son-in-law would be framed, he should have alerted him. On Saturday, at a press conference, Khadse targeted his long-time rival Mahajan asking what development has he brought to Jalgaon — both the leaders hail from the district. 'What has he brought for Jalgaon in the name of development ? Where is the textile park project. ? Tell me, which big development project has this minister brought in for Jalgaon district ?…Where is the animal husbandry college ?…For 30 years, several projects of Jalgaon district are pending…I am the only one who was raising issues of Jalgaon and issues of farmers from Maharashtra,' Khadse said. Claiming that he will continue his work on the development front in Maharashtra , he said, 'I have never bowed before anyone and will never bow before anyone…I have always taken things to a logical conclusion.' Challenging Mahajan, Khadse said, 'He should accept the challenge of getting a narco test on Praful Lodha…Why is he running away ?' The Opposition had claimed that Praful Lodha, alleged to be a close aide of Mahajan once, was the alleged mastermind behind a 'honeytrap operation' which was used to bring down the MVA government in 2022. Demanding Mahajan's resignation, Khadse said, 'Girish Mahajan should take moral responsibility and resign…Whenever there is an issue, why is Girish Mahajan's name always right upfront ?' On Sunday, Khadse's son-in-law Pranjal Khewalkar and six others were arrested after the Pune City police said it seized drugs during a raid at an apartment where they were allegedly partying. Minutes after the arrest, Mahajan said, 'At yesterday's press conference Khadse had raised the question as to how drugs are making their way into Chalisgaon. And today, his son-in-law has been caught holding a rave party with drugs.' Mahajan said if Khadse was alleging conspiracy, then he should wait for the investigation to get over. 'His son-in-law is not a small child to be taken away at night,' he said. Slamming the state government over the arrest, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, 'Khadse held a press conference and spoke against the state government with proof and a day later, his son-in-law was arrested. The government is not ready to investigate the allegations made by Khadse but instead it prefers to arrest those who make allegations.' 'Anything can happen during the tenure of the Mahayuti government. The police machinery is being used to target the opponents of BJP,' he alleged. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that the government is going behind those who bring out its wrongdoings. 'We don't trust what the police and the state government have done. They might even have planted the drugs. This government and its police machinery are highly untrustworthy. The Mahayuti government is going after the opposition leaders and their families because we are bringing out their wrongdoings,' he said.


Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
A day ago, Khadse targeted Mahajan; Oppn says misuse of police machinery
A day before the arrest of Eknath Khadse's son-in-law in connection with the alleged drug seizure at a Pune apartment Sunday, the former state minister had launched an attack on BJP minister Girish Maharaj alleging lack of development in Jalgaon. After the arrest as well, Khadse, hinting at his tussle with Mahajan, said: 'I was suspecting that something like this would happen because of the prevailing political scenario.' The Opposition leaders also linked the arrest to Khadse's allegations against Mahajan, claiming that the BJP-led government is using police to target opponents. Meanwhile, minister Mahajan said that if Khadse believed his son-in-law would be framed, he should have alerted him. On Saturday, at a press conference, Khadse targeted his long-time rival Mahajan asking what development has he brought to Jalgaon — both the leaders hail from the district. 'What has he brought for Jalgaon in the name of development ? Where is the textile park project. ? Tell me, which big development project has this minister brought in for Jalgaon district ?…Where is the animal husbandry college ?…For 30 years, several projects of Jalgaon district are pending…I am the only one who was raising issues of Jalgaon and issues of farmers from Maharashtra,' Khadse said. Claiming that he will continue his work on the development front in Maharashtra , he said, 'I have never bowed before anyone and will never bow before anyone…I have always taken things to a logical conclusion.' Challenging Mahajan, Khadse said, 'He should accept the challenge of getting a narco test on Praful Lodha…Why is he running away ?' The Opposition had claimed that Praful Lodha, alleged to be a close aide of Mahajan once, was the alleged mastermind behind a 'honeytrap operation' which was used to bring down the MVA government in 2022. Demanding Mahajan's resignation, Khadse said, 'Girish Mahajan should take moral responsibility and resign…Whenever there is an issue, why is Girish Mahajan's name always right upfront?' On Sunday, Khadse's son-in-law Pranjal Khewalkar and six others were arrested after the Pune City police said it seized drugs during a raid at an apartment where they were allegedly partying. Minutes after the arrest, Mahajan said, 'At yesterday's press conference Khadse had raised the question as to how drugs are making their way into Chalisgaon. And today, his son-in-law has been caught holding a rave party with drugs.' Mahajan said if Khadse was alleging conspiracy, then he should wait for the investigation to get over. 'His son-in-law is not a small child to be taken away at night,' he said. Slamming the state government over the arrest, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, 'Khadse held a press conference and spoke against the state government with proof and a day later, his son-in-law was arrested. The government is not ready to investigate the allegations made by Khadse but instead it prefers to arrest those who make allegations.' 'Anything can happen during the tenure of the Mahayuti government. The police machinery is being used to target the opponents of BJP,' he alleged. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that the government is going behind those who bring out its wrongdoings. 'We don't trust what the police and the state government have done. They might even have planted the drugs. This government and its police machinery are highly untrustworthy. The Mahayuti government is going after the opposition leaders and their families because we are bringing out their wrongdoings,' he said.