Latest news with #ShivSena-UBT
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CM Stalin hails Uddhav Thackeray's stand on federalism, extends birthday wishes
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Sunday extended warm birthday greetings to former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, lauding his firm stance against Hindi imposition and his unwavering commitment to protecting Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural identity. In a message posted on social media, CM Stalin praised Thackeray for his efforts in defending the federal structure of the country and standing up for the rights of regional languages. He described Thackeray's advocacy as a source of inspiration for the Marathi people in preserving their language and identity. "Birthday greetings to ShivSena-UBT President, Thiru. Uddhav Thackeray. Your bold resistance to Hindi imposition and your firm stand to uphold Maharashtra's identity have united the Marathi people in standing up for their language. Wishing you strength as you continue to defend federalism and linguistic dignity," CM Stalin posted on social media platform X , tagging both @ShivSenaUBT_ and @OfficeofUT. The birthday wish also underlined the broader message of unity among regional parties and leaders who oppose the centralisation of power and the perceived imposition of Hindi over native languages. Chief Minister Stalin, who has consistently championed the two-language policy in Tamil Nadu, has previously voiced strong opposition to the three-language formula proposed under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which includes the promotion of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states. Thackeray, known for his vocal stand on protecting Maharashtra's Marathi identity, has aligned with similar federal voices in Indian politics that push back against what they describe as a homogenisation of linguistic and cultural identities. The public exchange of support between CM Stalin and Thackeray signals continued cooperation among regional parties committed to federalism, state rights, and linguistic pluralism - issues that are expected to remain politically significant in the run-up to the 2026 state elections and beyond.
Mint
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Uddhav Thackeray's ‘yeh andar ki baat hai' response to Devendra Fadnavis ‘offer to join ruling side' in Maharashtra
Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray responded to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' offer to join the "ruling side", saying, 'Ye andar ki baat hai.' While speaking to reporters at the state assembly on Friday, Uddhav Thackeray referred to a comment he had just made to the print media. He was quoted by NDTV and News18 as saying, 'Before speaking to you, I was speaking to the print media. I spoke about the chaddi baniyan gang. Chaddi baniyans also have an advertisement – yeh andar ki baat hai [this is an inside matter]." Uddhav Thackeray's statement came days after Fadnavis extended an "offer" to his former ally — setting off political speculation in the state. CM Devendra Fadnavis made a tongue-in-cheek remark on Wednesday while speaking at the farewell function of leader of opposition in the council Ambadas Danve. Fadnavis told Uddhav Thackeray that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not likely to join him in the Opposition, but he can come over to the ruling side. "Uddhav ji, there is no scope [for a change in government] till 2029 [when next assembly polls are due]. We do not have the scope to come to the other [opposition's] side. You have the scope to come here, and it can be thought about. We can think about it differently," Fadnavis had said. Uddhav Thackeray met Fadnavis on Thursday, a day after the latter's "come here" offer to the former. The Shiv Sena (UBT) president met the chief minister in the chamber of legislative council chairperson Ram Shinde. The former CM's son and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray was also present during the meeting, which lasted about half an hour. Aaditya Thackeray said the meeting was to discuss Marathi language-related issues. Fadnavis, however, cleared the air on his statement and reportedly said it was a 'joke', referring to his comment that "Uddhav ji" has the scope to reunite with the ruling Mahayuti alliance. To a question by reporters on Friday, Fadnavis said, 'Why do you take our jokes seriously? Even Uddhav ji has said it was said in a lighter note. Don't take our tension. We [Mahayuti] are capable and competent,' NDTV reported. Uddhav Thackeray's "chaddi baniyan" reference was to a comment by Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar who, in the assembly, had reportedly said the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has fostered a culture of violence, misgovernance and corruption, turning Maharashtra into a "20 per cent commission" state. "While koyta gangs [gangs wielding 'koyta' knives] wreaked havoc in Pune, the ruling party has its own chaddi baniyan gang who resort to violence if things do not go their way," Wadettiwar was quoted by NDTV as saying.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Maha buzz as Uddhav meets Fadnavis for 3rd time in 2 days
MUMBAI: A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena-UBT to 'join us' in a lighter moment in the Legislative Council, both had a closed-door meeting for over 20 minutes on Thursday. This is the third meeting between them in the last two days. The meeting was held in the antechamber of Vidhan Parishad Chairman Ram Shinde at Vidhan Bhavan. It was organised to hand over a Marathi book to the chief minister and ask him not to impose Hindi as a third language from primary school in Maharashtra. The title of the book is 'Why Hindi should not be imposed'. It is a compilation of articles written by several editors in Maharashtra. Aaditya Thackeray was also present at the meeting, which also discussed the three-language policy, sources said. Fadnavis accepted the book, but suggested that Thackeray submit a copy to Narendra Jadhav, the head of the committee formed to review the decisions on the three-language policy. Sources said that Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that the Speaker allow the post of Leader of the Opposition to his party. He had recommended the name of Bhaskar Jadhav at the last state assembly session. Thackeray has been pressing for this demand and pursuing Fadnavis, contending that with 20 MLAs, his party was the largest opposition party.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra plans to reduce age of juvenile offenders in drug cases to 16: CM Devendra Fadnavis
The Maharashtra government is mulling lowering the legal age for defining 'juvenile' in drug-related cases to 16, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday and noted minors are being increasingly used for narcotics peddling to exploit legal loopholes. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said minors are being increasingly used for drug peddling to exploit legal loopholes.(File/ANI) The state government will amend relevant laws to plug legal loopholes and prevent minors from getting into drug peddling, Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, told the assembly. Replying to debate on a calling attention notice, Fadnavis noted the government has already decided to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against repeat drug traffickers. Fadnavis said minors are being increasingly used for drug peddling to exploit legal loopholes. "The age bar for juveniles (in drug trafficking cases) will be reduced to 16 years (from 18 now) and habitual offenders will be booked under the MCOCA," he told the House. The state legislature has passed a bill for bringing drug peddlers and narcotics crimes under the purview of the MCOCA. The Chief Minister raised concern over the involvement of foreign nationals, particularly Nigerian citizens, in the drug trade. "Although there is a provision (in law) to deport such individuals, many deliberately commit minor offences to avoid deportation. The Centre has been asked to pardon such minor offences so that deportation (of foreign nationals) can take place," he said. In a reply to another calling attention notice, Fadnavis, who heads the energy department, announced the government has approved a scheme to provide free electricity to households consuming up to 100 units through rooftop solar panel installations. "Subsidy will be given to set up rooftop solar panels, which will ensure zero electricity bills for small domestic consumers," he said. Meanwhile, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik informed the lower house that construction activities leading to destruction of mangroves will be stopped and permissions given to developers/contractors for such projects will be reviewed. He was responding to a calling attention notice submitted by MLA Bhaskar Jadhav (Shiv Sena-UBT) with supplementary questions raised by another legislator Sanjay Kelkar (BJP). Referring to alleged mangrove destruction at Rustomjee Urbania, an upscale residential project in adjoining Thane city, Naik said a report in this regard was sought from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) in 2023, but no action was taken for two years. "A high-level inquiry will be conducted within three months, and strict action will be taken against erring officials and developers. Hefty penalties will also be imposed on violators," he assured the assembly.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MNS leader tried to stop me from filing FIR: Influencer Rajshree More
Social media influencer Rajshree More on Monday alleged that Raheel Sheikh, son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) state Vice-President Javed Sheikh, assaulted her while intoxicated inside his car, boasted of his connections, and later, attempts were made to dissuade her from filing an FIR. A video that surfaced on Monday showed a nearly naked Raheel Sheikh, shirtless and allegedly drunk, verbally abusing More and identifying himself as the son of an MNS leader. Immediately after, the Shiv Sena-UBT demanded action, and authorities arrested Sheikh on charges of outraging a woman's modesty, negligent driving, and verbal abuse. An FIR was registered at the Amboli Police Station, and he remains in custody. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Rajshree More claimed he deliberately targeted her vehicle, hit it, and endangered nearby pedestrians. "I was driving when his Innova smashed into my vehicle from behind. Then it advanced, struck me again, and damaged my car badly. He didn't stop. He nearly ran over three pedestrians walking in front of me and many more behind. It was a wild, drunken rampage." She further recounted with shock how Sheikh was nearly naked and unapologetic. "He was drunk, his pants had fallen down, and his dirty belly hanging down. He wildly abused me, declaring, 'I am Raheel Sheikh, son of Javed Sheikh. Go to the police station tomorrow morning and find out who my father is'." More said Javed Sheikh tried to convince her not to proceed legally: "They begged me not to file an FIR - 'his career will be ruined'. I asked what 'studying at 27' meant; they couldn't answer. They promised to send him abroad. He's 27 - not exactly a student. I asked how they could trust a drunk behind the wheel. They pleaded for apologies, but I stood firm.' More said, a senior Amboli police officer assured her that the FIR would be properly recorded. By late Sunday, she was "completely satisfied" with the police response. Pressed about the larger stir over Maharashtra's language politics, especially the ongoing Hindi-Marathi tensions, More emphasised that her protest is not anti-Marathi, but against arrogance: "This isn't Marathi vs Non-Marathi. This is Marathi vs Marathi. I told them non-Marathis come here to earn a living, often living far from family. They travel, work hard. Instead of targeting them, Marathi folks should lead by example and work hard themselves." More added that expecting immigrants to learn Marathi overnight is unrealistic. "People struggling to meet basic needs don't have time for language lessons. When you demand Marathi proficiency in 2025, years after moving here, it's unrealistic. Language won't fill potholes or create jobs." Defending her stance, she said: "Of the 45 people working with me, 30 are Marathi, 20 non-Marathi. Language is not a barrier—humanity is. We must speak in whatever tongue we understand. Language alone won't feed us." Describing Rahee Sheikh's actions as "hooliganism", More dismissed any cultural or linguistic justification: "This is not heroism, but cowardly hooliganism fueled by political influence. Wearing a political badge doesn't give one the right to abuse or intimidate." Despite attempts to portray her as politically motivated, More insisted she is not from any political party. "No political allegiance—Congress, BJP, none. If I were affiliated, they'd paint me as biased. But I'm an independent influencer. My clients and colleagues aren't primarily Marathi. I stood up not for politics, but for justice," she added.
