Arrest, prosecute 'Gau Rakshaks', fake news peddlers: Priyank Kharge orders top police officials
Bengaluru: In an effort to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent communal violence incited through social media platforms, Priyank Kharge, the district in-charge Minister of Kalaburagi, directed top officials of the district to track down and take stringent action against those responsible.
During a meeting with revenue and police officials at the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner's office auditorium, Kharge expressed concern over false allegations being circulated on social media. He specifically mentioned a claim circulating that he was involved in the recent murder of a police constable from Jewargi. To address the issue, Kharge instructed senior police officers to form a dedicated team responsible for monitoring social media posts and promptly taking legal action against individuals spreading fake news. He emphasized the importance of preventing communal tension and recommended that individuals claiming to be "Gau-Rakshakas" (cow protectors) and attempting to incite violence be arrested and prosecuted.
Additionally, Minister Kharge sternly ordered the police to refrain from accepting funds from illegal sand smuggling networks. He further instructed officials to seize vehicles carrying overloaded sand and file appropriate cases against the perpetrators. Notably, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanaprakash Patil echoed these sentiments, advocating for the seizure of such vehicles and registration of cases against those involved in illicit sand activities.
Furthermore, Minister Patil identified the presence of 22 clubs in the city engaged in unlawful activities. He urged officials to provide information on the police station limits where these activities occur and instructed them to conduct raids on such clubs while suspending police officers within the respective jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, DCP Srinivasalu received explicit instructions from Dr. Patil to ensure that no clubs involved in illegal activities are permitted within the city limits.
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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.
