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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

SS MP threatens to ‘bomb’ political opponents

Journalists staged a protest outside Balasaheb Bhavan against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil, condemning his alleged remarks against members of the media. Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Mumbai North-East MP Sanjay Dina-Patil – who recently defected to the ruling ally Shiv Sena apparently went haywire on Thursday, hurling bomb threats at political opponents, spitting expletives at protestors, warning jounos of assault and warning anybody “to do whatever you can”, sparking a massive political...

SS MP threatens to ‘bomb’ political opponents

Journalists staged a protest outside Balasaheb Bhavan against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil, condemning his alleged remarks against members of the media. Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Mumbai North-East MP Sanjay Dina-Patil – who recently defected to the ruling ally Shiv Sena apparently went haywire on Thursday, hurling bomb threats at political opponents, spitting expletives at protestors, warning jounos of assault and warning anybody “to do whatever you can”, sparking a massive political furore. Elected on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket, Dina-Patil lost his temper when he was questioned on his daughter and SS (UBT) Municipal Corporator Rajool Patil who went to meet ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray to express her allegiance despite her father’s defection to the Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Instead of replying, Dina-Patil, reported to be short-tempered, blew his top and reacted aggressively with abuses: “Record this on camera… I have spoken to you for 2 minutes, I respect you, you should do the same… Don’t mess with me. If you return here, I will thrash and send you back. I am saying this in front of the police, you do whatever you want.” Just a couple of days ago, Dina-Patil had threatened SS (UBT) workers protesting against him. “Anybody who tries to cross my path, I will send them to the crematorium or the hospital. We have committed five murders in the past. If you protest against me, I will throw bombs on you and enter your house to hammer you.” As these threats and unparliamentary language stoked a massive political row, SS (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shot off a letter to Mumbai Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti, demanding that the police probe all the statements of Dina-Patil and ‘book him for murder’. On the alleged bomb threats, Raut said if Dina-Patil had acquired the explosives from some terrorist organisation, he should be arrested under the dreaded Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, dealing with terrorism, terming it as a matter of national security. Political Explosion The matter escalated into a full-fledged political brawl with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders like Congress’ Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar; SS (UBT)’s Aditya Thackeray, Sunil Raut, Sushma Andhare; Nationalist Congress Party (SP)’s Supriya Sule, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Jayant R. Patil, and many more, attacking Dina-Patil and demanding that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must act in the matter. Aditya challenged Dina-Patil to instantly quit as MP, recontest in the name of Shinde or PM Narendra Modi and then see the outcome. Andhare said till the MPs were with SS (UBT), they were cultured but after walking over to the Shiv Sena, they have lost all their etiquettes or fear of the laws. Faced with an embarrassing backlash, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Shiv Sena’s Omprakash Babarao alias Bachhu Kadu quickly tendered unconditional apologies to the media on behalf of Dina-Patil, while Minister Girish Mahajan attempted to equate the outburst with recent strong language used by Sanjay Raut, who had said that “Shinde has given birth to 6 traitors”. On Raut’s letter to the CoP, a defiant Dina-Patil declared: “Whatever I said, I did it openly. If the police feel any action is to be taken against me, I am ready to face the consequences.” He again slammed the media persons for "thrusting microphones at him”, going to the ‘other side’ (the MVA) and then returning to quiz him, prompting the TV Journalists Association and other media groups to protest and seek action against the belligerent MP. “Has the MP been provided (Y-Plus) security at public expense to threaten the media which is doing its duty or the political protesters?” asked an irate TV reporter. Dina-Patil launched a broadside against the MVA and dared those who dubbed him a ‘traitor’ to come to his constituency without any security. On the incident of five murders, he airily said: “It had happened before I was born”, but Raut retorted claiming to possess details of all those alleged killings. “I don’t need an entourage of 10 vehicles as I rule the hearts of the people. I have aligned myself with ‘real men’. Shinde Saheb has commended me for my stand,” he claimed. Fadnavis and Shinde commented briefly on the matter and later were closeted in a meeting to discuss the fallout of Dina-Patil’s utterances especially after the media launched strong protests in different parts of Mumbai.

Lord Ram: The Divine Human

Ram Navami gently reminds us that divinity is not outside—it is in the way we live our daily lives.

Ram Navami, celebrated on the 26th of March this year, marks the divine birth of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. More than just a festival, it is a reminder of how a human life, when lived with discipline, truth, and devotion, can become divine. Lord Ram is not worshipped merely because he was God, but because he showed how to live as an ideal human being—Maryada Purushottam, the supreme upholder of righteousness.


Ram Navami symbolises the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (evil). It is a celebration of hope—that even in the darkest times, goodness will prevail.


But beyond rituals and celebrations, the true significance lies in self-reflection: Are we living truthfully? Are we fulfilling our duties with sincerity? Are we compassionate, even when life is unfair?


Ram Navami gently reminds us that divinity is not outside—it is in the way we live our daily lives.


Living Ram’s Values

1. Unwavering Commitment to Duty (Dharma): Lord Ram chose exile for 14 years without hesitation, simply to honour his father’s word. He did not argue, blame, or resist. His example reminds us that in a world often shaped by comfort and convenience, responsibility and integrity remain the truest tests of character. Doing what is right, even when it is difficult, is the highest form of strength.


2. Grace in Adversity: Lord Ram chose exile for 14 years without hesitation, simply to honour his father’s word. His example reminds us that in a world shaped by comfort and convenience, responsibility and integrity remain the truest tests of character. Doing what is right—even when it is difficult—is the highest form of strength.


3. Respect in Relationships: Lord Ram brought grace and dignity to every relationship — as a son, husband, brother, and king. His love for Sita, his reverence for his parents, and his deep bond with Lakshman and Bharat were anchored in trust and honour. In an age of fragile ties, his life reminds us that lasting relationships are built not on words alone, but on sacrifice, responsibility, and respect.


4. Leadership with Compassion: As a king, Ram placed his people above himself. His rule, often called Ram Rajya, was marked by justice, equality, and peace. His example reminds us that true leadership is not about control—it is about service, empathy, and fairness.


5. Humility Despite Power: Even though he was divine, Ram lived like a common man—simple, grounded, and approachable. His example shows us that no matter how successful or powerful we become, humility is what makes us truly great.


6. Faith and Surrender: Ram’s life was a perfect blend of effort and surrender. He did his duty fully but trusted the divine flow of life. In life, we often try to control everything. But Ram teaches us to do our best and surrender the rest.


Ram in Modern Life

In a world shaped by stress, rising expectations, and emotional strain, Lord Ram’s life remains deeply relevant. His example offers a quiet moral clarity: when relationships become strained, choose respect over ego; when life feels unjust, let patience prevail over anger; when difficult decisions arise, hold fast to truth rather than convenience; and when uncertainty clouds the path, let faith speak louder than fear.


This Ram Navami, beyond rituals and celebration, there is value in a quieter pause for self-reflection. Are we truthful in our actions? Do we stand by our commitments? Do we treat others with dignity? Are we at peace within ourselves? The true celebration of Lord Ram lies not in temples alone, but in the effort to embody his values a little more each day.


Lord Ram’s enduring relevance lies in the fact that his life speaks across time — not only to faith, but to character. In an age of speed, strain, and moral uncertainty, his example still offers clarity. To truly honour him is not merely to celebrate Ram Navami, but to let his values shape the way we think, act, and live.


Jai Shree Ram!


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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