Complaint filed against Raj Thackeray for allegedly inciting disharmony over Hindi language
Mumbai: Two city-based advocates, Gunaratan Sadavarte and Jaishri Patil, have filed a police complaint against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, alleging that he incited communal disharmony by opposing the state government's decision to make Hindi compulsory in primary schools.
The advocates have demanded the registration of an FIR and the immediate arrest of Thackeray, citing his alleged role in encouraging public unrest and violation of education laws. The controversy stems from the April 16 directive of the Mahayuti government, which mandates Hindi education in all primary schools, a move aligned with the central government’s New Education Policy.
MNS workers staged protests against the order and publicly burned copies of the government notification. Sadavarte and Patil, affiliated with the Hindustan Mazdoor Sangh, stated in their written complaint to Shivaji Park police that such actions are unlawful and disruptive to children's right to education, which is guaranteed under the Constitution and provided free by the state.
They further alleged that Thackeray is instigating his party cadres to defy the government policy and that MNS supporters are conducting demonstrations without police permission and threatening sellers of Hindi textbooks. The advocates also claimed they have received threats from unknown individuals following their complaint.
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Rain might have washed it away: Meghalaya minister after 4,000 tonnes of coal go missing
Shillong (PTI): As the Meghalaya High Court pulled up the state government over the disappearance of over 4,000 tonnes of coal, a minister on Monday claimed that heavy rain in the state might have washed it away.
The high court has directed the state government to take action against officials under whose watch the coal went missing.
Speaking to reporters, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla said, "Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. You never know... because of rain, the coal might have swept away. Chances are very high."
The high court had on July 25 pulled up the state government over the vanishing of coal from Rajaju and Diengngan villages and instructed it to trace those responsible for lifting the coal illegally.
The minister, however, clarified that he was not trying to justify the disappearance, and admitted there was no conclusive evidence yet to determine whether the loss was due to natural causes or any illegal activity. "I cannot blame just the rain. It could be or it could not be. I really don't have any kind of details," he said.
He asserted that any activity related to coal mining or transportation must be done in accordance with the law and that authorities must ensure illegal practices are curbed.
On allegations of ongoing illegal coal mining and transport in the state, Shylla said concrete evidence was needed to establish such claims and that multiple departments were responsible for monitoring such activities.
"But I believe that our people, if it is for survival, might do it illegally... otherwise nobody wants to do anything that can harm the state," he said.
He expressed optimism that people would abide by the law, especially after the government's announcement of scientific mining.
"We all are happy to welcome it, and we want to see the light of day with this. I believe our people will not do anything that gives the court or law a chance to point fingers at us," he added.
The ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, citing rampant unregulated and unsafe mining practices, especially the controversial 'rat-hole' mining technique prevalent in the state.
The tribunal's order came in the wake of mounting concerns over environmental degradation, water contamination, and frequent fatalities in the hazardous mines, particularly in East Jaintia Hills.
On a separate note, the minister also responded to complaints over the dust and debris caused by the ongoing construction along National Highway 6 in East Jaintia Hills, saying, "I appreciate this government for the initiative. For now, it is difficult, but once everything is completed, we will enjoy the benefits."
