Aditya Thackeray’s ‘turning Maha into Manipur’ remark invites ‘golden spoon’ jab

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) As the violence-hit Nagpur remain under curfew and on the edge over multiple incidents of arson and vandalism, the political class is trading bitter barbs and also engaging in mudslinging to counter the other.

SS(UBT) Aditya Thackeray blamed the dispensation for inept handling of violence and also accused Fadnavis government of pushing Maharashtra into a situation, similar to riot-hit Manipur. This invited a quick and strong rejoinder from the BJP, which hurled ‘golden spoon’ jibe at Uddhav Thackeray’s son and accused it of insulting the glory of Maharashtra.

BJP leader Ram Kadam, speaking to IANS lashed out at Aditya Thackeray, saying, “He comes from a privileged background, holding a golden spoon. Today, he has audaciously insulted the land of Maharashtra. Our state has a rich tradition and immense pride, and it should not be tarnished by associating it with any other state’s turmoil.”

Further turning the spotlight on economic performance of state under previous dispensations, Kadam claimed, “Under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, Maharashtra earned just Rs 30,000 crores, while under our government, we generated an impressive Rs 15.72 lakh crores, thanks to the efforts of Devendra Fadnavis.”

He also reiterated the charge that there was a premeditated conspiracy behind the violence and accused the Opposition of trying to score political points over communal unrest.

“It’s part of a conspiracy to instigate riots. Police are investigating and grilling the stone-pelters. Strict action will be taken against the culprits,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Aditya Thackeray commented on Nagpur violence and said that Maharashtra government was trying to create a Manipur-like situation in the state.

“You’re asking about my reaction to the violence, but there has been no official statement from the Chief Minister’s office. This is the city of the Chief Minister himself. If they had the information, why were they unaware of the situation? It seems the Maharashtra government is intentionally trying to create a Manipur-like situation. How can anyone invest in a state where such violence occurs?” Thackeray said.

The violence erupted during protests by Hindu outfits, related to the demands to demolish the tomb of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. A rumour about setting ‘holy chadar’ on fire circulated on social media, following which hundreds of protesters gathered and engaged in arson, vandalism and stone-pelting in multiple areas of Nagpur.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has declared that the state government would take no leniency towards those involved in the violence. He emphasised that anyone caught inciting riots or attacking the police would face strict legal action, regardless of their caste or religion. He also said that the pattern of violence in Nagpur appeared orchestrated, and assured that the state would take firm measures to restore order.

The Nagpur Police have confirmed that more than 50 individuals have been detained in connection with the violence.

–IANS

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As per the press statement released by the FE&CC department, the department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Bhubaneswar under the Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project.

The collaboration with IIT-Bhubaneswar focuses on restoring critical coastal ecosystems, including seagrass beds and salt marshes, which are vital for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and coastal protection.

“Designated as the Technical Support Agency (TSA) for the restoration, protection, and sustainable management of ‘Sea Grass’ and ‘Salt Marsh’ ecosystems along the Odisha coast, the IIT Bhubaneswar will provide technical support for implementing sustainable strategies to manage these ecosystems,” informed the department.

The FE&CC department also inked a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with the World Food Programme (WFP) for a regional adaptation project between India and Sri Lanka called Adaptation for Resilience (ADAT4R) to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable farming communities facing increased impacts of climate change, a statement mentioned.

The project focused on the Nuapada district of the state aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable farming communities, particularly women farmers, against the impacts of climate change during the next five years.

The government on Wednesday signed another MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), to develop a Net-Zero Roadmap for the state. The initiative will chart decarburization strategies across key sectors such as industry, power, transport, and agriculture.

“The collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar would pave the way for enhanced research opportunities and community engagement initiatives to promote sustainable coastal management practices,” Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said.

Additional Chief Secretary of FE&CC department Satyabrata Sahu elaborated on the people-centric climate resilient and sustainable practices for ecosystems and livelihood. Several senior officials including Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, Dr. Amrit Kumar Mishra, senior scientist at James Cook University, Australia, among others were present during the event.

–IANS

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No casualty in terrorist firing in J&K’s Akhnoor sector, says Army

Jammu, Feb 27 (IANS) The Indian Army on Thursday denied some media reports that said the army had suffered casualties in terrorist firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector.

The firing had taken place on Wednesday. A defence statement said, “Terrorists opened fire at an Indian Army convoy in Sunderbani, Akhnoor, yesterday. The firing was ineffective, and our own troops responded swiftly. Some social media handles are falsely claiming casualties to own troops. This is false and deliberate disinformation. Search operations are presently underway to neutralize the perpetrators.”

Reports said that terrorists fired at a vehicle of the Army in the Sunderbani area of the Akhnoor sector, but no casualty was reported in the attack.

Joint forces had started massive searches in the area after the incident on Thursday, but there were no reports of any ‘contact’ (exchange of fire) with the terrorists.

Due to scant snowfall on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir this winter, intelligence agencies said all the traditional infiltration routes of the terrorists have remained open. To thwart infiltration from across the LoC, the army and the security forces are maintaining high vigilance on the LoC and the hinterland.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired two top-level security review meetings on Jammu and Kashmir in Delhi earlier this month.

The Home Minister ordered the security forces to ensure zero infiltration and zero tolerance for terrorists.

Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha also chaired two security meetings, one in Srinagar and the other in Jammu. The L-G directed police and the security forces to dismantle the terror ecosystem by targeting terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers.

L-G Manoj Sinha said that the funds generated by hawala rackets, drug smuggling and drug peddling are finally used to sustain terrorism in J&K, and the war against drugs is also to be seen as the war against terrorism in Jthe union territory.

–IANS

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