As we enter the 62nd year of Maharashtra’s formation, I wish all Maharashtras strength and perseverance. The story of our origin and development holds values that are becoming increasingly important in this day and age. Today, in 2022, not for the first time our state has stood at a political crossroads, and I believe we should be inspired to reflect the true spirit of Maharashtra – a Folding Maharashtra.
Over the past few months, I have had the good fortune to travel the length and breadth of the Bang. From Aheri to Dahanu, from Akkalkuwa to Sawantwadi – more than 14,000 km covering 34 districts, 353 takulas and 250 rallying constituencies. I have interacted with more than three thousand individuals, hearing stories of humanity, solidarity, and inspiration to last a lifetime.
Although I have undertaken this extensive journey as part of my political duties, these trips have provided me with a unique perspective, along with the history of political and social development of the state. . My learnings from this journey have been immense, centered on the ideals and foundations on which Maharashtra was built.
Our history is the history of social reformers, thinkers, intellectuals and activists, dealing with so many problems over the years, and therein is our spirit. Maharashtra is not just a territorial entity; it embodies a set of progressive ideas. What we understand today as the “Dharma Maharashtra” is not based on the whims of a scholar, saint, or any single intellectual. Many people have contributed, layer by layer, over the centuries.
The concept of a separate state for Marathi speakers had been established since Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s conception of Swaraj in the 17th century, but it was not until after independence in 1956 that Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti was established. founded in Pune under the patronage of Keshavrao Jedhe . Many prominent activists, such as Acharya Atre, Prabodhankar Thackeray, Senapati Bapat, and Shahir Amar Shaikh, have made significant contributions to the state we now call home. It was Yashwantrao Chavan who led us and our new state into a bright future. Yashwantrao Chavan is a brilliant and intuitive leader, more than a political leader; he is the voice of the people and a true statesman. With his planning on agriculture, water resources, small-scale industry and Panchayat Raj, he made our state great. His beliefs and principles underpinned the progressive thinking of modern Maharashtra, paving the way for everything that followed.
While we rapidly excelled in industrialization and agriculture, Maharashtra’s progress was clearly seen through certain lenses. Maharashtra has been a center for women’s empowerment. A solid history of prolific women leaders and reformers like Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, Herabai Tata, Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar and many others has shown the way through generations. After independence, Maharashtra was a pioneer in advocating for women’s education and liberation. Magazines such as ‘Baija’ and ‘Stree’ became the traditional language of women’s liberation in the 1980s. Various women’s organizations and public interests were established to promote the cause. These groups address the health, hygiene, livelihood and protection needs of women, especially those who have been abandoned or divorced. New laws have been passed to protect women from domestic abuse, drug-killing drugs and sexual harassment in the workplace. Maharashtra was the first state in India to issue a 30% reservation for women in local agencies under the leadership of Padma Vibhushan Sharad Pawar, and with his tireless efforts over the years, I This number is currently 50%.
The realization that women are an important player of the rural economy and social environment has been the driving force behind the development of Maharashtra, a fact that assured me during my travels. Constant efforts are being made to ensure their sustainable development and enhance their status by providing them with a strong social safety net and lasting livelihood measures.
The path of justice, freedom, equality and rights has been demonstrated by many in Maharashtra. The years under Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar can be described as the years that witnessed the dawn of social revolution not only in Maharashtra but also across the country. However, issues like OBC reservation status in our state are almost a disgrace to their contributions.
OBCs are on the verge of losing their political positions in local bodies. The Center’s confusion and blatant disregard for census data is what led us to this situation. Maharashtra’s MVA government is determined to provide political reservations to OBCs. We have recommended to the State Election Commission (SEC) that any election that bypasses the OBC reservation should be withheld. It is disheartening to see the waste of public time, resources and money on a mission that was carried out 10 years ago but is still suspended for the sake of the Center’s evil purposes. But if the history of Maharashtra has taught us anything, it is that any path of progress is paved with struggle and resistance, but always triumphs in the end.
One feature of Maharashtra stood out to me during my travels. In the relationship of politics and society, our values are combined with our will. Many of the places I visited are going through their own political adjustments since the MVA was established. The local units of the parties are working together after being on opposite sides for decades. But political will in Maharashtra has a place of its own; We always attach great importance to its synchronous political culture. That is best demonstrated by the relationship shared by Sharad Pawar and Balasaheb Thackeray. We recall their fierce political encounters but also especially remember their mutual affection and ability to keep political differences aside for the greater good of Maharashtra and the country. Over the past few years, I see efforts to eradicate this culture based on mutual respect and tolerance in public life. Maharashtra’s main opposition party has resorted to measures that could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s social, political and institutional machinery. The communal discord caused by them is in stark contrast to the culture we have inculcated. This regressive mentality is spoiling progressive Maharashtra. Aspects of faith, religion, and community are being misunderstood, misused, and misused.
Maharashtra has been a place for all. Those from the land and those who come to the land – all are included in the celebration of Maharashtrian. And to me, that is the spirit of Maharashtra.
In 1943, Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar gave a speech on “Man and History” on the 101st anniversary of Justice Govind Ranade’s birth. In this speech, he famously spoke of how both Henry Thomas Buckle and Karl Marx articulated half-truths because they never gave human recognition for changing their surroundings and affecting their environment. historical path. Dr. Ambedkar claims that humans are the main factor in shaping history, and that environmental forces are not responsible for that.
Today we are facing a time when our state and country are experiencing many shocks and the environment of positive and progressive discourse is eroding. It seems to some that when conservative and communal factors gain an advantage, the advantage in determining the social agenda and the active progressives appear weak in the battle. Preserving the history and progressive politics we have inherited from our forebears is a challenge. Will try to turn the page, impose on us a retrograde lifestyle, a reactionary political life. It is up to us to rise to the challenge. We’ve done that in the past and I’m confident we’ll pave the way again. This Maharashtra day, I want to assure everyone that this fight for our values and our posterity will never happen. Reflections from our past and the realities of the present are the driving force behind forward thinking.
Jai Maharashtra.
Jayant Patil is the Maharashtra state president of the NCP and the State Cabinet Minister for Water Resources
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author.
