BJP leaders extended their wishes to veteran party leader, erstwhile party president and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on his birthday Thursday and said his role in strengthening the party was “monumental”.Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “A fine scholar and distinguished statesman, his passion towards service, education and preserving Indian culture is exemplary. His role in strengthening BJP is monumental. Praying for his long and healthy life.”Birthday wishes to Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji. A fine scholar and distinguished statesman, his passion towards service, education and preserving Indian culture is exemplary. His role in strengthening BJP is monumental. Praying for his long and healthy life. @drmmjoshibjp— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 5, 2023Wishing Joshi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi, “His struggle to strengthen the party and his selfless and dedicated work in bringing education revolution while being the education minister are unforgettable. I pray to God for his good health and long life.”वरिष्ठ भाजपा नेता आदरणीय @drmmjoshibjp जी को जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं। पार्टी को मजबूत बनाने के लिए उनका संघर्ष व शिक्षा मंत्री रहते हुए शिक्षा क्रांति लाने में उनके निस्वार्थ व समर्पित भाव से किए कार्य अविस्मरणीय हैं। ईश्वर से उनके उत्तम स्वास्थ्य व दीर्घायु की कामना करता हूँ।— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 5, 2023Party president JP Nadda said, “Hearty birthday greetings and best wishes to senior BJP leader, former Union Minister, Padma Vibhushan respected Shri Murli Manohar Joshi ji. As a dedicated politician, your contribution to nation building is exemplary. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for your good health and long life.”भाजपा के वरिष्ठ नेता, पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री, पद्मविभूषण आदरणीय श्री मुरली मनोहर जोशी जी को जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक बधाई व शुभकामनाएं।समर्पित राजनेता के रुप में राष्ट्र निर्माण में आपका योगदान अनुकरणीय है।प्रभु श्रीराम से आपके उत्तम स्वास्थ्य व सुदीर्घ जीवन की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 5, 2023Calling Joshi “a guide”, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted: “ I wish to god that you be healthy and live long.”भारतीय जनता पार्टी के पूर्व राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष, हमारे मार्गदर्शक आदरणीय श्री @drmmjoshibjp जी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। आप स्वस्थ और दीर्घायु रहें, ईश्वर से यही कामना करता हूं।— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 5, 2023Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said Joshi’s “selfless service towards the nation always inspires us to build a self-reliant India.”Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Happy Birthday to Educationist, Senior Politician, Former Union Minister Shri Murli Manohar Joshi. I pray that God bless you with good health and peace.”Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, “Heartfelt birthday greetings to popular mass leader, inspiration to innumerable workers, senior member of BJP family.”लोकप्रिय जननेता, असंख्य कार्यकर्ताओं के प्रेरणास्रोत, भाजपा परिवार के वरिष्ठ सदस्य, ‘पद्म विभूषण’ आदरणीय श्री मुरली मनोहर जोशी जी को जन्मदिन की हृदयतल से बधाई।प्रभु श्री राम से आपके सुदीर्घ एवं आरोग्यतापूर्ण जीवन की प्रार्थना है।@drmmjoshibjp— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 5, 2023Extending his wishes, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “May Lord Shriram’s blessings shower on you continuously; May you always be healthy, live long and may your blessings remain like this on all of us, this is what I pray.”In 2020, Modi had met Joshi at his residence on the day and said the BJP veteran has been unwavering when it comes to safeguarding national interests and furthering national progress. He also prayed for Joshi’s long and healthy life.Modi said he is fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Joshi for many years. “Like me, several karyakartas (workers) learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the party is extremely valuable,” Modi added.A prominent leader named in the Babri Masjid demolition — he was acquitted in September 2020 — Joshi held several high-profile posts in the BJP, including as HRD Minister in the A B Vajpayee government.In August 2014, citing age as a reason, the BJP dropped Joshi among with veterans L K Advani and Vajpayee from the party’s parliamentary board, its highest decision making body. The trio had occupied the top rung of its leadership since the formation of the party in 1980. Joshi was subsequently made part of the Margdarshak Mandal along with other senior leaders “to guide the party”.In 2015, when the BJP had lost the Assembly elections in Bihar, senior leaders of the party, including Joshi had criticised the debacle and said the party had not learnt from the Delhi polls held months prior, when the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had come to power. The Indian Express noted at the time, “He (Joshi) got the short shrift under the present leadership, which forced him to vacate his constituency, Varanasi, and contest from Kanpur. He was later included in the party’s Margdarshak Mandal. At present, he has little moral authority or political clout in the party, not even in his home state where he was once a towering figure. While today’s statement will create strong ripples in the party, his individual outburst may not have made much impact.”
BJP leaders extended their wishes to veteran party leader, erstwhile party president and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on his birthday Thursday and said his role in strengthening the party was “monumental”.Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “A fine scholar and distinguished statesman, his passion towards service, education and preserving Indian culture is exemplary. His role in strengthening BJP is monumental. Praying for his long and healthy life.”Birthday wishes to Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji. A fine scholar and distinguished statesman, his passion towards service, education and preserving Indian culture is exemplary. His role in strengthening BJP is monumental. Praying for his long and healthy life. @drmmjoshibjp— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 5, 2023Wishing Joshi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi, “His struggle to strengthen the party and his selfless and dedicated work in bringing education revolution while being the education minister are unforgettable. I pray to God for his good health and long life.”वरिष्ठ भाजपा नेता आदरणीय @drmmjoshibjp जी को जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं। पार्टी को मजबूत बनाने के लिए उनका संघर्ष व शिक्षा मंत्री रहते हुए शिक्षा क्रांति लाने में उनके निस्वार्थ व समर्पित भाव से किए कार्य अविस्मरणीय हैं। ईश्वर से उनके उत्तम स्वास्थ्य व दीर्घायु की कामना करता हूँ।— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 5, 2023Party president JP Nadda said, “Hearty birthday greetings and best wishes to senior BJP leader, former Union Minister, Padma Vibhushan respected Shri Murli Manohar Joshi ji. As a dedicated politician, your contribution to nation building is exemplary. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for your good health and long life.”भाजपा के वरिष्ठ नेता, पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री, पद्मविभूषण आदरणीय श्री मुरली मनोहर जोशी जी को जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक बधाई व शुभकामनाएं।समर्पित राजनेता के रुप में राष्ट्र निर्माण में आपका योगदान अनुकरणीय है।प्रभु श्रीराम से आपके उत्तम स्वास्थ्य व सुदीर्घ जीवन की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 5, 2023Calling Joshi “a guide”, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted: “ I wish to god that you be healthy and live long.”भारतीय जनता पार्टी के पूर्व राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष, हमारे मार्गदर्शक आदरणीय श्री @drmmjoshibjp जी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। आप स्वस्थ और दीर्घायु रहें, ईश्वर से यही कामना करता हूं।— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 5, 2023Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said Joshi’s “selfless service towards the nation always inspires us to build a self-reliant India.”Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Happy Birthday to Educationist, Senior Politician, Former Union Minister Shri Murli Manohar Joshi. I pray that God bless you with good health and peace.”Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, “Heartfelt birthday greetings to popular mass leader, inspiration to innumerable workers, senior member of BJP family.”लोकप्रिय जननेता, असंख्य कार्यकर्ताओं के प्रेरणास्रोत, भाजपा परिवार के वरिष्ठ सदस्य, ‘पद्म विभूषण’ आदरणीय श्री मुरली मनोहर जोशी जी को जन्मदिन की हृदयतल से बधाई।प्रभु श्री राम से आपके सुदीर्घ एवं आरोग्यतापूर्ण जीवन की प्रार्थना है।@drmmjoshibjp— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 5, 2023Extending his wishes, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “May Lord Shriram’s blessings shower on you continuously; May you always be healthy, live long and may your blessings remain like this on all of us, this is what I pray.”In 2020, Modi had met Joshi at his residence on the day and said the BJP veteran has been unwavering when it comes to safeguarding national interests and furthering national progress. He also prayed for Joshi’s long and healthy life.Modi said he is fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Joshi for many years. “Like me, several karyakartas (workers) learnt so much from him. His role in strengthening the party is extremely valuable,” Modi added.A prominent leader named in the Babri Masjid demolition — he was acquitted in September 2020 — Joshi held several high-profile posts in the BJP, including as HRD Minister in the A B Vajpayee government.In August 2014, citing age as a reason, the BJP dropped Joshi among with veterans L K Advani and Vajpayee from the party’s parliamentary board, its highest decision making body. The trio had occupied the top rung of its leadership since the formation of the party in 1980. Joshi was subsequently made part of the Margdarshak Mandal along with other senior leaders “to guide the party”.In 2015, when the BJP had lost the Assembly elections in Bihar, senior leaders of the party, including Joshi had criticised the debacle and said the party had not learnt from the Delhi polls held months prior, when the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had come to power. The Indian Express noted at the time, “He (Joshi) got the short shrift under the present leadership, which forced him to vacate his constituency, Varanasi, and contest from Kanpur. He was later included in the party’s Margdarshak Mandal. At present, he has little moral authority or political clout in the party, not even in his home state where he was once a towering figure. While today’s statement will create strong ripples in the party, his individual outburst may not have made much impact.”
For those who wish to study abroad, the Ministry of Education provides financial aid to Indian students for higher studies. To apply for these scholarships, aspirants can check the Ministry’s official website — education.gov.in. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provides several scholarship programmes such as the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes, denotified, nomadic and semi nomadic tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans, Scheduled Castes and traditional artisans category.Scholarships are provided to candidates of the above-mentioned categories to help them obtain higher education viz., Masters’ degree or PhD courses by studying abroad with the aim that this will help them improve their economic and social status.To apply, candidates will have to visit the official website — nosmsje.gov.in – and then fill in all the required details such as personal details, name of course and foreign university, previous employment details, and several documents for proof. The minimum percentage of marks required is 60 per cent.Under the scheme, following assistance is provided:— Tuition fees— Maintenance allowance (US $15,400 annually except UK. GBP 9,900 annually in UK)— Contingency allowance (US $1500 annually except UK. GBP 1,100 annually in UK)— Visa fees— Equipment allowance— Tuition fee only and medical insurance premium— Air Passage by economy class as per scheme guidelines— Incidental journey allowance and equipment allowance (US $20 for each or its equivalent in INR)The Ministry of Tribal Affairs offers scholarship programmes like the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Tribe Students. Candidates can check their official website to apply online — overseas.tribal.gov.in.This is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and every year 20 fresh ST students are given scholarships for pursuing Master’s degree, PhD, Post-doctoral courses from abroad.The Ministry of Science and Technology provides the Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship Programme.The objective of the programme is to build national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Engineering, which are of interest to India by providing research training to PhD students admitted to Indian institutions in overseas universities/institutions of repute. It aims to provide performing Indian research students an opportunity to gain exposure and access to state-of-the-art research facilities in academia and labs in certain overseas universities.This would also build long-term Research and Design linkages and collaborations with scientists and technologists from around the world. And use the gained expertise to strengthen national programmes.The scheme is open to Indian nationals only. The applicant should have registered for a full-time PhD degree in any of the recognised institutes in India in STEM disciplines. Part-time students or the ones who have submitted their thesis are not eligible to apply.Candidates can check their official website for more details — serbonline.inThe Ministry of Minority Affairs offers Padho Pardesh (interest subvention scheme for minority community students). Candidates can check their official website for more details — minorityaffairs.gov.inUnder this, the interest subsidy will be granted for the period of moratorium (i.e. course period, plus one year or six months after getting a job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the education loan scheme of the Indian Banks Association (IBA).In this, the Ministry will reimburse a 100 per cent interest component of the educational loan availed by a student from the bank up to the moratorium period.For this, students have to submit the documents as per the requirement of lending bank for availing the educational loan. The Ministry will provide reimbursement of interest accrued on educational loans up to the moratorium period.
MUMBAI: Several beneficiaries of a state-sponsored scholarship scheme for foreign education from other and special backward classes have not been able to utilise it this year. The state notification with the list of beneficiaries came in October, when the deadline for most foreign universities closed in September. It also introduced a cap on the scholarship amount, which was not known to students at the time of application. As their fees exceed the amount fixed by the state, many beneficiaries are in a dilemma. Since many are on the verge of losing a year, they are worried about going through the same tedious application process again next year.In October, the scholarship scheme was extended to 50 students, instead of 10, according to a government resolution issued by the other backward Bahujan welfare department, which covers OBC, SBC, VJ and NT categories. The students, however, claimed that on one hand the state increased the beneficiaries but reduced the scholarship amount. A similar scheme for SC, ST students, does not impose any cap on fees, they said."Till last year, foreign education under this scheme was fully funded. The limit of Rs30 lakh per annum for Masters' students and Rs40 lakh per annum for PhDs was introduced at the eleventh hour this year. My course fee is much higher than the limit. Even after losing a year, I am not sure how to raise the remaining fees when I apply again next year," said Ashirwad Wakade, who had secured admission for a Master's in public policy at the University of Chicago. He said that the estimated expenses he had submitted to the government early this year was Rs1.3 crore for the entire course, when the government will pay only Rs60 lakh. He added that the decision was arbitrary.Another beneficiary, Namita Dadgal, who secured admission for a master's in minimally invasive dentistry at University of London, said her per annum fees goes up to Rs48 lakh. "I requested the university for a deferral, but this course does not allow it. I am already losing a year. I will again have to apply to universities next year and we are not sure if our selection for the scholarship will be carried forward next year."
Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar told the Legislative Council that he has sought a proposal from the district administration to rename the Western Maharashtra city of Ahmednagar as ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar’, after the 18th century Malwa queen, Ahilyabai Holkar.Replying to a question raised in the State Legislative Council, Kesarkar said the decision will be taken after receiving the proposal from the district administration and after following the due procedure, including approval from the Centre.In August this year, the Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed two separate resolutions to send a proposal to rename Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and rename Osmanabad as Dharashiv. Writing to then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in June, BJP leader Gopichand Padalkar had demanded the renaming, saying as Holkar was born in Choundi village of Ahmednagar and had “an Ahmednagar connection”, her name would be appropriate.NCP leader Amol Mitkari, however, has criticised the move. “Instead of demanding changes in names, it would be better if BJP and MNS leaders seek measures like reduction in rising fuel prices and rising inflation. They should urge the central government to take steps to resolve grievances of farmers and the poor. But this is not happening. Non-issues like change in name are being pushed,” Mitkari had said.Ahmednagar lies in the Western region of Maharashtra. According to the district’s official website, it has been a part of some prominent kingdoms, starting from 240B.C., “when the vicinity is mentioned in the reference to the Mauryan Emperor Ashok”.The Rashtrakuta Dynasty, the Western Chalukyas, and then the Delhi Sultanate ruled over the region in the Medieval period. In the last case, the rule was not direct, and a revolt by Afghan soldier Alladin Hasan Gangu led to the establishment of the Bahmani kingdom in the Deccan. After some time, Ahmednagar (then known as Nizamshahi) became one of the five independent kingdoms to emerge from that empire.In 1486, Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah became the Bahmani Sultanate’s Prime Minister. He fought back an attempt by the king to dislodge him from power, and defeated the army of the Bahamani kingdom near Ahmednagar in May 1490. Finally, in 1494 he laid the foundation of a city close to where he defeated the army, on the left bank of Sina river, and named it after himself: Ahmednagar.Nizam Shah also later captured the fort of Daulatabad and stationed his army there. “By his kindness, peaceful demeanour & efficiency, he could win the loyalty of the local and foreign Muslims and also of the Maratha peasants and worriers. Since his origin was Hindu, he found no difficulty in winning over the confidence of Brahmins, who were highly regarded by the Hindus,” says the website.Jawaharlal Nehru, in his book A Discovery of India (1946), wrote, “Ahmad Nizam Shah, the founder of Ahmadnagar in 1490, was the son of Nizam-ul-Mulk Bhairi, a minister of the Bahmani kings. This Nizam-ul-Mulk was the son of a Brahmin accountant named Bhairu…Thus the Ahmednagar dynasty was of indigenous origin.”Born in Chondi village of Ahmednagar to the village head Mankoji Shinde, on May 31, 1725, Ahilyabai was one of the few women rulers of Medieval India. While the education of girls and women was rare at that time, Mankoji insisted on it for his daughter.When she was eight years old, Malhar Rao Holkar, the army commander to Peshwa Bajirao, is believed to have spotted her at a temple service in Chondi. Impressed by her character, he decided to get his son, Khande Rao, married to her.Ahilyabai took control of Malwa after her husband’s death in the Battle of Kumbher against the king of Bharatpur in 1754. She excelled at administrative and military strategies under the guidance of her father-in-law, who believed she should be the one to lead her people rather than die by Sati after Khande Rao passed away. She then petitioned the Peshwa to become the ruler, backed by her army.Nehru described Holkar’s rule, which lasted for thirty years (1765-1795), as “almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime.” Similarly glowing accounts are found elsewhere.According to an article in Google’s Arts and Culture platform, “During her reign, Malwa was never once attacked, when at that time the whole of Central India was facing a power struggle, with battles being fought for the throne. Under her rule, Malwa remained an oasis of stability and peace.”It adds that under Holkar, the city of Maheshwar became a literary, musical, artistic and industrial centre, and she helped establish a textile industry there, which is now home to the famous Maheshwari saris.Her role in the restoration of Hindu temples is often emphasised. In 1780, she had the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi rebuilt, nearly a century after Mughal king Aurangzeb ordered its destruction. Apart from holy sites like Badrinath, Dwarka, Omkareshwari, Gaya, and Rameswaram, Holkar also supported the construction of resting lodges for travellers, and of public ghats.When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samudra Darshan Path and the Somnath Exhibition Gallery (which exhibits ruins of ancient Somnath, the temple built by Holkar in 1783) in 2021, he said, “When anyone in the world looks at this grand structure today, he doesn’t merely see a temple. He sees an existence which, for hundreds, thousands of years, has been inspiring, expounding human values; a place which was called by our seers the place of light, meaning knowledge, thousands of years ago; and a place that even today is proclaiming to the world that truth can’t be defeated by untruth, that faith can’t be trampled over by terror.”
A day after passing a resolution to ‘legally pursue’ the inclusion of 865 Karnataka villages with Marathi-speaking population, the Maharashtra Legislature on Wednesday condemned the statement by Karnataka Law Minister J C Madhuswamy, who had said Mumbai qualifies to be an union territory. Speaking in the Legislative Council, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the statement and reiterated that Maharashtra will not give up a single inch of land in the 865 villages. He also said that if required, the state will approach the central government and Supreme Court and will firmly support the people in border areas.“The border area where Marathi people live is an integral part of Maharashtra and we will not give up a single inch of land in the 865 villages, including Belgaum, Nipani, Karwar, Bidar and Bhalki. Karnataka should not challenge us. We will do whatever it takes to fight this out in a legal way and give justice to the people living in the border area. If needed, we will approach the SC or the Union government,” said Shinde.“Despite the meeting with Union Home Minister, a statement has come… I condemn the statement (the demand to make Mumbai an union territory). Mumbai belongs to only Maharashtra and its people, and not to anyone else. We have got it after sacrificing 105 martyrs. No one should make such a statement. The government and I condemn the statement made by them (Karnataka minister),” said Shinde.While speaking in the Council, Shinde also listed various new schemes for the border areas, and said that the state and the government will firmly stand with the people living there. “We will do everything to ensure that no injustice is done to the Marathi-speaking people and we will help them in any way we can,” he said.Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke in the Assembly and said Karnataka ministers and leaders are making such statements despite the assurances given in front of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to not make any new claims.Leader of opposition Ajit Pawar also raised the comment by the Karnataka law minister in the state Assembly. “The state government must condemn Karnataka ministers and MLAs who are making provocative statements and even demanding that Mumbai be made an union territory. The state government must take a serious note of it as Karnataka is openly violating directions given by the Union Home Minister,” said Pawar. He demanded that the state government must write a stern letter condemning the Karnataka government. Meanwhile, speaking in the Legislative Council on the border dispute, Congress MLC Shashikant Shinde took a jibe at state Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai by asking him to visit Belagavi, and “not return midway”.“Go and visit Belagavi and meet the Marathi-speaking people there. But do not return midway,” said Shinde. Shinde also alleged that 1,500 acres of land of Marathi-speaking farmers in border areas of Karnataka was acquired by the Karnataka government for a highway, and Kannada-speakers were allotted parts of this land. The opposition leaders in the Legislative Council, including Shinde, also demanded that the disputed border area be declared an union territory.
After renaming Aurangabad and Osmanabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv, respectively, the government is now contemplating renaming Ahmednagar in Western Maharashtra to ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar’ (after Ahilyabai Holkar).Replying to a question on the renaming of the city, raised in the Legislative Council, Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said that following ‘requests’ from public representatives the government has sought a proposal from the district administration to rename Ahmednagar as ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar’.The question was tabled by MLC Gopichand Padalkar, Ramesh Karad and Ramrao Patil to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the council.Kesarkar said the decision will be taken after receiving the proposal from the district administration and after following the due procedure, including approval from the Centre.The city derived its name Ahmednagar from its 15th-century ruler Ahmed Nizam Shah I.In August, the Maharashtra assembly unanimously passed two separate resolutions to send a proposal to rename Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and rename Osmanabad as Dharashiv.
We will seek the intervention of the Supreme Court and the central government," he said.Nagpur: Amid the latest flashpoint over the border dispute with Karnataka, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today told the state's Legislative Council that not an inch of the land from the disputed 865 villages will be ceded to the neighbouring state and his government will pursue all legal avenues to prevent injustice against the Marathi speaking people.The Chief Minister's statement comes a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, on Tuesday, proclaimed that his state won't give an inch of the disputed territory to Maharashtra.Addressing the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Mr Shinde said, "Karnataka should not challenge us as we will not give up an inch of the land in the 865 (disputed) villages, including Belgavi, Nipani, Karwar, Bidar and Bhalki. We will pursue whatever legal recourse that is available to us. We will seek the intervention of the Supreme Court and the central government and do everything in our power to prevent injustice to our Marathi-speaking people."Earlier, on Tuesday, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the dispute with Karnataka over border areas saying the state will legally pursue the inclusion of 865 Marathi-speaking villages that are in Karnataka.In an apparent reaction to the move, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said "not an inch of land will be ceded to Maharashtra" and that the state is confident of getting justice, as the states were carved out on the basis of the States Reorganisation Act 1956.Amid the row, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded that the 'disputed areas' should be declared a Union Territory.Chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday tabled the resolution in the Assembly on the border row.The resolution, which was passed unanimously, says Maharashtra will fight the pending case in the Supreme Court with full strength for the inclusion of each and every inch of the 865 villages that it lays claim to. They include Belgavi, Karwar, Nipani, and Bidar Bhalki in Maharashtra. The resolution also condemned the Karnataka administration for 'its anti-Marathi stand' in the border areas.The resolution further said the Maharashtra government will stand with the Marathi-speaking people in border areas and will go for a legal fight in the Supreme Court to ensure that these areas become a part of the state.The central government should urge the Karnataka government to implement the decision taken in the meeting with the Union Home Minister and the government should be given an understanding that would guarantee the safety of the Marathi people in the border areas, the resolution said.The Maharashtra assembly resolution came days after Karnataka Assembly passed a unanimous resolution last week over the Karnataka-Maharashtra border issue and condemned statements made by some Maha ministers on the issue. The resolution said that legal action will be taken against any minister if they continue to make statements over the issue.Uddhav Thackeray, who spoke to the reporters on Tuesday in Nagpur, demanded that the 'disputed areas' be declared a Union Territory.He said the party supported the resolution in the Maharashtra Assembly. "Whatever happens in favour of Maharashtra, we will support it. But there are some questions. For over two years, people (living in border areas) have been demanding that their areas be included in Maharashtra. What are we doing about that?" Thakeray asked.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com"Today government replied that the disputed area cannot be declared as a Union Territory as said by Supreme Court in 2008. However, the situation is not the same now. The Karnataka government is not following it. They are doing an Assembly session there and has renamed Belagavi. So we should go to Supreme Court and urge it to declare it as UT," he said.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Featured Video Of The DayExclusive: Ministry Can't Regulate Airline Tariffs, Says Jyotiraditya Scindia
The government has also written to the commissioner of the Ahmednagar municipal corporation.Nagpur: The Maharashtra government has asked the district administration to submit a proposal to rename Ahmednagar as 'Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar', it told the Legislative Council in Nagpur on Wednesday.Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar made the statement in reply to a question during Question Hour.He, however, did not specify whether the government intended to rename the city of Ahmednagar in central Maharashtra or the district of which it is the headquarters, or both.The name Ahmednagar is derived from its 15th-century ruler Ahmed Nizam Shah I.The directives were issued on September 7 to Ahmednagar district collector as well as the concerned divisional commissioner, Kesarkar said.The government has also written to the commissioner of the Ahmednagar municipal corporation, divisional railway manager, senior post master and tehsildar for sending such proposals, the minister said.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comAfter receiving the proposal, it will be tabled before the state cabinet for approval and later forwarded to the Union government for final decision, Kesarkar added.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Featured Video Of The DayDelhi Cop Loses 46 Kilos In 8 Months, Sets An Example
Devendra Fadnavis slammed Opposition leaders in the state Legislative Council over Savarkar's "insult".Nagpur: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday lashed out at the Opposition leaders in the state Legislative Council over Veer Savarkar's "insult", and said that even if the freedom fighter doesn't get Bharat Ratna, the leaders should "stop insulting him".This comes amid a big uproar in the Legislative Council over the issue of offensive remarks by some leaders on various great men.Thackeray Group MLA Anil Parab raised the issue of contempt of great men in the Legislative Council. On this, he targeted the ruling BJP and the Shinde group.In response, Mr Fadnavis also submitted a statement on the same issue.Reading out the offensive statements made by the opposition party leaders about great men, he asked why Mr Parab did not mention anything about insulting Savarkar in his statement."Parab saheb, in your speech you never once gave the example of freedom fighter V D Savarkar. Rahul Gandhi calls freedom hero Savarkar an apologist and self-proclaimed Hindutvawadi. No one talks about it. I mean, even if Savarkar doesn't get the Bharat Ratna, at least stop insulting him," Mr Fadnavis said.Mr Fadnavis read out the statements made by various leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi about great men. "You are not saying anything on this, you are silent on this," he added.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comThe Council was later adjourned till Wednesday.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Featured Video Of The DayChina Lifts Covid Curbs, India Takes Stock: How Prepared Are We?
