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United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Raju Shetti Thanks Anant Ambani and Ambani Family as Elephant "Mahadevi controversy Ends.
States » West Kolhapur Aug 8 ( UNI) Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader and former MP Raju Shetti has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Anant Ambani and the Ambani family following the resolution of the controversy surrounding the elephant Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri. In a video shared publicly, Shetti confirmed that the dispute over Mahadevi has come to an end, owing to a unique and thoughtful solution proposed by Vantara. Recognising the emotional bond that the people of Kolhapur share with Mahadevi and her urgent medical needs, Vantara has proposed the establishment of India's first state-of-the-art satellite rehabilitation centre for elephants near Nandani, close to Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The proposed centre will be equipped with modern facilities and scientific infrastructure to ensure Mahadevi receives the best possible medical care. It aims to respect local sentiments, religious leadership and animal welfare. Welcoming the innovative step, Shetti thanked the Ambani family, especially Anant Ambani, for playing a crucial role in resolving the matter. "Thanks to Anant Ambani's large-heartedness, the dispute regarding Mahadevi has been resolved," said Shetti. He also addressed the previous allegations made by PETA against the caretakers of Mahadevi, claiming neglect and mistreatment. "As members of the Jain community, we live by the principle of 'Live and Let Live'. The accusations were deeply hurtful to us, given our love and compassion for all living beings," said Shetti. UNI SP-SSS SSP
United News of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Farmers' leader takes out silent march demanding Mahadevi elephant be brought back
Kolhapur, Aug 3 (UNI) Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) national president and former MP Raju Shetty today took out a 45 KM long 'Atmaclesh' (masochist) Yatra silent March from Nandani to Kolhapur district collector office, demanding Madhuri alias the Mahadevi elephant be brought back. The pachyderm has shifted to Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust Jamnagar (Vantara sanctuary). Thousands of peoples along with women from all parts of the district, gathered at Sri Chakreshwar temple in Nadani village of this district in the early morning at 0500 hours and began their Silent March (Muk Morcha) towards Kolhapur city, which will reached around at 1600 hours this evening with taking boards in hands with slogans as 'Aamchi Madhuri Parat Dhya"(Return our Madhuri). Shetty, while talking with reporters in March, said that Vantara sanctuary misguided supreme court with submitting false report on the health of Mahadevi elephant. Even supreme court directed to shift the elephant to Jamnagar, it was not final and president of India has a right to change this judgement. A delegation comprising women, will meet district collector Amol Yedge to hand over a memorandum demanding to bring back Mahadevi elephant and also a letter addressed to president Droupadi Murmu to interfere and changed supreme court's direction. UNI SSS SSP
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gram sabha bans govt employees from entering Budhgaon village for Shaktipeeth project survey
Kolhapur: The gram sabha of Budhgaon village in Sangli's Miraj tehsil on Wednesday passed a resolution to bar govt employees from entering the village to conduct land surveys for the Shaktipeeth Expressway project. The meeting, organized by the Shaktipeeth Highway Badhit Shetkari Bachao Samiti, drew a significant turnout of farmers from the village. The land survey in the tehsil would start on Friday. Sarpanch Vaishali Vikram Patil said, "We passed a resolution in this regard in the gram sabha. All the farmers in the village are against the Shaktipeeth project. If govt employees come for the land survey, legal action will be taken against them." Mahesh Kharade, Sangli district president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, said, "Why is this highway being built parallel to the Nagpur-Ratnagiri national highway? A total of 27,000 acres of land will be acquired for the project, leaving several farmers landless and destroying the eco-sensitive zone in Kolhapur district. As per the gram sabha resolution, govt employees will not be allowed entry into the village. " Umesh Deshmukh, an activist from Shaktipeeth Highway Badhit Shetkari Bachao Samiti, said, "Forty-eight bridges will be built on the proposed highway. A 15km bridge will be built from Budhgaon to Danoli in Sangli district, which will pass via Karnala-Padmale-Sangliwadi. There is a fear that all villages, including those in Sangli, will be flooded due the bridge during heavy rain. The project is being undertaken for the benefit of contractors. " In Sangli district, 776 hectares of land will be acquired for the Shaktipeeth Expressway project from 18 villages. Of the 776 hectares, the land survey has been completed in 152 hectares.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers, oppn demand Kokate's resignation over string of controversies
Pune: Farmers' organisations and other social outfits, along with the opposition, have started mounting pressure on the state govt over Manikrao Kokate's resignation as agriculture minister. Protestors in some parts demanded his immediate sacking from the cabinet. After he was recently captured on video playing a game of cards when the assembly was in session, the minister landed in deeper controversy with his 'state govt is a beggar' remark on Tuesday sparking outrage among the farming community. Kokate, who represents Nashik's Sinnar assembly constituency, was responding to questions about his previous remarks that beggars do not accept Re 1 in alms but govt provides crop insurance for that amount. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune He clarified, "Govt doesn't give Re 1 to the farmers, it takes Re 1 from them for crop insurance. So who is the beggar here? Govt is a beggar, and not the farmer. My statement was misconstrued." President of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana Raju Shetti criticised govt for not dropping Kokate from the cabinet despite his controversial remarks. He said, "Nearly 20% farmers are not able to sow their fields and many more will have to spend more money on re-sowing due to inadequate rainfall. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like $30K Goes a Long Way in This Clementi Condo squarerooms Read More Undo Instead of providing relief to the distressed community, Kokate was playing an online game in the monsoon session. If he behaves irresponsibly, the chief minister and deputy chief ministers should take responsibility and remove him as agriculture minister." When the opposition targeted Kokate after his video surfaced on social media, he refused to resign and said he was ready to face an inquiry. While trying to clarify his position on Tuesday, the minister landed in more trouble when he said govt was a beggar. Welfare organisation Prahar's founder and former MLA Bachchu Kadu said, "This is probably the eighth or the ninth time that Kokate has made a controversial statement. It is quite shocking that he continues to be a minister. By calling govt a beggar, he has indirectly admitted that the state is facing a financial crisis. Either govt should respond to his statement or take action against him." Members of Maratha Kranti Morcha and NCP (SP)'s Pune unit demanded Kokate's resignation. Newly appointed NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde said, "The farming community and the opposition want Kokate's resignation but he says he will not quit. It shows that the chief minister and deputy chief ministers have no control over their ministers." He added that when Congress-NCP was in govt, several ministers resigned on moral grounds after they faced allegations. "But, it looks like Mahayuti is starting a new trend of shielding its ministers," Shinde said.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sangli farmers resort to bhajans to protest Shaktipeeth project
Kolhapur: Farmers from Sangli district's Tasgaon have adopted a unique form of protest against the proposed 802km Shaktipeeth Expressway project. Whenever MSRDC officials arrive for land survey and mapping, the farmers start performing bhajans and kirtans with anti-project lyrics, accompanied by traditional instruments like taal and mridangam, in a peaceful 'Gandhigiri' style of resistance. Mahesh Kharade, Sangli district president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, said, "This is farmers' way of showing their resentment, in a Gandhigiri style. For three days, farmers from Matkunki village didn't allow land survey for the project. The anti-Shaktipeeth bhajan written by a farmer, Amol Patil, made even the highway officials think over what they were doing." Tasgaon tehsildar Atul Patole said the land survey in Tasgaon needed to be carried out in 10 villages. "The survey was completed in Sawarde and Siddhewadi villages where there was less landholding by farmers. In Sawalaj and Nagaon Kavathe, the land survey is ongoing. In some villages, the farmers are opposing the survey. We are holding discussions with the farmers and trying to clear their doubts about the project. " The land survey in Sangli district's Miraj tehsil will commence from July 25, where farmers have also decided to oppose the project. MLC Satej Patil said, "If farmers support the Shaktipeeth project, why have so many objections been raised against it? The fight against Shaktipeeth will continue."
