Mahua Moitra slams Maharashtra government over delayed action in child assault case
New Delhi: TMC MP Mahua Moitra has strongly criticized the Maharashtra government for its delayed response to the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a school sweeper.
In a series of tweets, Moitra questioned why the state's Governor hasn't taken immediate action and why the case hasn't been handed over to the CBI like it was done in the Kolkata case . She pointed out the contrast with West Bengal, where in a similar case, the Kolkata Police arrested the accused within hours, and the autopsy was videographed. Moitra accused the Maharashtra police of refusing to file an FIR for days, calling the situation an example of the "real Non-Democratic Alliance."
RG Kar case had videographed autopsy and @KolkataPolice
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) August 20, 2024
arrested accused within hours. In Maharashtra police refused to file FIR for days. This is the real Non Democratic Alliance.
https://t.co/dNBj37nRMr
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) August 20, 2024
Why isn’t Maharashtra Governor flying to Delhi? Why is this not handed over to @CBIHeadquarters? @dir_ed and @CBIHeadquarters only for opposition and opposition ruled states!
Her remarks come as Badlapur railway station in Thane district witnessed massive protests on Tuesday, with thousands blocking train tracks to demand justice for the victims. The demonstration led to significant disruption of local train services and the diversion of several long-distance trains.
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Maharashtra secures historic sword of Raghuji Bhosale in London auction
LONDON/MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has acquired the sword of Raghuji Bhosale, founder of the Nagpur Bhosale dynasty and a distinguished commander in the Maratha army under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, after winning it in an auction in London.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar formally took possession of the weapon on Monday. It is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on 18 August, where it will be received with ceremonial honours, as reported by The Indian Express.
News of the sword’s availability surfaced on 28 April this year. Minister Shelar consulted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after which the government began preparations to participate in the auction.
A group of Marathi-speaking residents in London gathered to witness the handover. Hemant Dalvi, Deputy Director of the Archaeology Department, accompanied the minister during the formalities.
The sword is an 18th-century Maratha Firangi. It has a straight, single-edged European blade with a gold-inlaid Mulheri hilt and near the hilt is the European manufacturer’s name, while the spine bears a gold-inlaid Devanagari inscription reading “Shreemant Raghoji Bhosale Senasahib Subha Firang,” confirming its connection to Raghuji Bhosale. The hilt’s gold koftgari work and the green cloth-wrapped rounded pommel add to its rarity as Maratha weapons of the period typically lacked elaborate ornamentation or inscriptions.
Raghuji Bhosale I, ruled from Nagpur between 1695 and 1755. He expanded Maratha influence into Bengal, Odisha, Chanda, Chhattisgarh, Sambalpur and parts of southern India. His military campaigns, included victories over the Nawabs of Bengal, Cuddapah and Kurnool. The Nagpur kingdom was also known for its rich deposits of iron and copper, used for weapons and trade.
While few historians believe that the sword left India in the early 19th century, as part of the war booty taken by the British East India Company after their victory over the Bhosales at the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, others say it was taken later as a diplomatic gift.
The sword will be escorted from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to PL Deshpande Kala Academy in Dadar by a ceremonial bike rally upon its arrival in Mumbai next week. A cultural programme titled Gad Garjana will be held the same day in the presence of state dignitaries.
Minister Shelar described the acquisition as an important moment for Maharashtra’s heritage and extended his thanks to the Chief Minister, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for their support in securing the artefact.
