SNDP leader alleges Kerala will become Muslim-dominated state soon
Kottayam (Kerala), Jul 20 (PTI): Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on Saturday alleged that the Muslim community would soon become the majority in Kerala.
He also accused the minority community and its leaders of unnecessarily intervening in the state's administration, citing the recent controversies over the LDF government's decision to change the school timings and the implementation of zumba dance in schools.
While addressing a meeting of SNDP Yogam's local unit here, the leader claimed that CPI(M) veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said sometimes back that Muslims would become the majority community in the state by 2040.
Natesan said he does not think that it would take that long and indicated that it would happen in the near future.
To support his argument, he pointed out the examples of the number of constituencies in some Hindu dominated and Muslim majority areas.
The Ezhava leader alleged that Alappuzha had lost two constituencies as the Hindu population decreased there.
However, in Muslim-dominated Malappuram, four additional seats have been gained as the community's population has increased.
He also made objectionable remarks connecting the population increase and women.
Natesan also justified his recent controversial remarks which he made against Malappuram that triggered a huge political row in the state.
He said he was attacked by everyone in the Muslim community for telling the truth about the northern district.
He also accused the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) of targeting the chief minister's post.
In April this year, Natesan described Malappuram as a "separate nation" or an exclusive "state of certain people".
People belonging to the backward community are living under constant fear in Malappuram, he had alleged.
SNDP is an organisation that represents the numerically strong Ezhava community in Kerala.
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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.
