Nagpur, Sep 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said that maintaining peace during the Ganeshotsav festival is of paramount importance and urged political and social organisations to avoid staging protests in Mumbai during the celebrations.
His remarks came in response to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil's announcement of an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan from September 19.
Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Minister Bawankule highlighted that around 18 districts in Maharashtra are facing rainfall deficits, leading to the wilting of standing crops. He said that he had convened a meeting with all District Collectors on Friday and scheduled another follow-up meeting to review the situation.
Commenting on Jarange-Patil's indefinite hunger strike from September 19 in Mumbai, Minister Bawankule emphasised that staging large-scale protests in Mumbai poses significant law and order challenges for local residents during Ganeshotsav.
Citing directives from the Mumbai High Court regarding public order, he urged all political and social groups to refrain from protesting in the city at this time. "Ganeshotsav is the largest festival in the country, and maintaining peace during this period is essential. The rights of no community -- whether OBC or Maratha -- will be compromised," he asserted.
Defending the state government’s track record, he noted that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have taken decisions to meet the demands of the Maratha community, adding that the public does not approve of personal criticisms directed at both leaders, as significant relief for the Maratha community has been given during their tenure.
Asking for patience, he appealed to community leaders to give the government adequate time to address remaining concerns.
Focusing on the agricultural crisis, the Revenue Minister stressed that the government’s top priority is to provide immediate assistance to farmers facing severe drought conditions to prevent farmer suicides. "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed both the Chief Secretary and me to initiate an immediate statewide survey. Directives have been issued to District Collectors to plan localised relief measures in accordance with government regulations," he explained.
He said a comprehensive report assessing the drought situation across Maharashtra will be presented to the Chief Minister this Tuesday, following which formal proposals will be tabled in the upcoming Cabinet meeting for official relief packages.
Jarange Patil announced a march to Mumbai to launch an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19. Addressing a gathering at Antarwali Sarati, Jarange Patil declared the detailed route for the march and urged the police administration and Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to block their path.
Jarange Patil stated that the march represents the pride and existence of the Maratha community.
He appealed to supporters along the route to step out and offer their blessings, even if they are unable to travel all the way to Mumbai. He also called on community members to halt work and join the movement on the specified dates.
"We want to conduct a peaceful, democratic hunger strike to claim our rights. If the police block us anywhere along the highway, we will not push barricades or clash with authorities. We will simply sit down peacefully on the road wherever we are stopped," he stated.
Source: IANS
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