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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state...

Raj Thackeray tormented over ‘missing kids’ in state

Mumbai : Expressing grave concerns over the steep rise in cases of ‘missing children’ in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray has accused the state government of treating the matter casually and failing to respond to it urgently.   In an open missive on 'X' to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing at almost an alarming 30 pc increase in the number of children ‘missing’ in the state between 2021-2024.   When asked for his reactions, Fadnavis told media-persons in Nagpur that he had not read the letter, but the issue raised is important and he would reply to it. Fadnavis stated that the NCRB has also provided the reasons why the kids go ‘missing’, how they return and the period, ranging from 3 days to 18 months.   Dwelling on the sufficiency of the NCRB figures, he contended that they reflect only complaints formally registered by the police and thousands of cases may never be reported.   On the ‘rescue, return and reunion’ of such missing children, he pointed to the sheer psychological trauma they may have suffered and sought to know how such child-lifter networks continued to thrive openly and blatantly.   The MNS chief targeted what he claimed was the “state’s lack of proactive measures to identify and dismantle child-begging rackets” as many juveniles can be seen begging at railway stations, bus stands, traffic signals, often accompanied by adults with doubtful authenticity.   “If some woman claims to be the child’s relative or guardian, should the government not order a thorough probe? Is it inappropriate to consider even a DNA test in suspicious cases,” Raj Thackeray demanded.   Slamming the government and the Opposition, he lamented how both sides failed to prioritise such urgent social issues in the legislature where discussions centre around partisan sparring.   The letter also mentions attempts by the Centre to coordinate with states on the ‘missing or trafficked children’, regretting how political upmanships and symbolic debates prevent meaningful action on the ground.   The NCRB said that Maharashtra has consistently ranked among states with the highest number of ‘missing children’, particularly in urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.   Simultaneously, experts, child rights NGOs and activists have warned about trafficking networks that exploit poverty, migration and weak law enforcement and low convictions, despite official rescue missions or rehab efforts.   In his appeal, Raj Thackeray called upon Fadnavis to take concrete, visible measures rather than discussions and conventions. “Maharashtra expects decisive steps from you, not speeches. Jai Maharashtra,” he signed off.     In October 2023,Sharad Pawar red-flagged ‘missing girls-women’ This is the second major social cause by a political leader, two years after Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar had red-flagged nearly 20,000 ‘missing women and girls’ from the state between Jan-May 2023.   In the present instance, Raj Thackeray said that “behind the statistics lies a far more disturbing reality involving organised, inter-state gangs that kidnap children, physically abuse them and force them into begging rings”.   “Little kids are assaulted, made to beg and shifted across states. Groups of children disappear suddenly, and the government appears unable, or unwilling, to grasp the seriousness of what is happening,” said Thackeray in a strong tone.

Dynasty Descendants

Rebels, multi-cornered contests and dynasts – that’s the overriding theme of the Assembly elections that are coming up this month. Of the 4000 plus candidates in the fray, more than 20 are related to current and former politicians. No political party, despite making loaded statements about not supporting dynasties, is an exception to this trend.


Dynasts, it is believed, have ‘elective value’ with a ready support base, dedicated cadre, the goodwill the family may carry in the constituency and a familiar surname. Sons, daughters, nephews, nieces and in-laws are making their electoral debut in an election which is being fought more on allegations, accusations and changing loyalties than an ideology or development plans. If some offspring remain in the relative’s party, others are trying their luck in different parties with even siblings being split by political alliances.


PART - 2


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Sanjana Jadhav, Shiv Sena

Kannad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will see Sanjana Jadhav, daughter of senior BJP leader and five-time-MP Raosaheb Danve take on her estranged husband Harshvardhan. A former member of the zilla parishad, she switched to the Shiv Sena and secured a nomination. She will contest against Harshvardhan, a two-term former MLA.



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Suhas Babar, Shiv Sena

His father Anil Babar, known for various social initiatives in his constituency, passed away a few months ago. The Shiv Sena nominated Suhas from the Khanapur-Aatpadi constituency, a drought-struck area of Sangli which his father has held for several terms.




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Salil Deshmukh, NCP (SP)

For the first time since 1995, Katol in Nagpur will see someone other than Anil Deshmukh contest the elections. But the candidate happens to be the former home minister’s son Salil whose political beginnings with the zilla parishad.






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Varun Sardesai, Shiv Sena (UBT)

He’s best known as Aditya Thackeray’s maternal cousin which makes him yet another member of Uddhav Thackeray’s family to jump into the electoral fray. A constant presence by his cousin’s side when Aditya was a minister in the MVA government, Varun has worked with the youth wing of the undivided Shiv Sena.





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Vilas Bhumre, Shiv Sena

Chairman of the family-controlled Renukadevi Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, his father Sandipan Bhumre is a Member of Parliament. Vilas is contesting the Paithan seat from Marathwada as a member of the Shiv Sena.






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Rahul Awade, BJP

His father Prakash Awade had been on a winning spree from Ichalkaranji since 1995 but lost in 2009 and 2014 to the BJP candidate. In 2019, he was re-elected as an Independent and now his son Rahul, a former member of the Ichalkaranji zilla parishad, is making his debut in the state assembly elections.






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Sreejaya Chavan, BJP

Months after her father, former chief minister Ashok Chavan, switched over to the BJP from the Congress, Sreejaya has been nominated from Bhokar in Nanded, a constituency her father has represented for several years. Sreejaya comes with an impressive legacy—grandfather Shankarrao Chavan was the Union home minister, mother Ameeta is former MLA.

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