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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Govt assures swift UCC implementation

Mumbai: Maharashtra government unequivocally declared its commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the state, assuring the legislative assembly that a comprehensive legal framework is already in the advanced stages of formulation. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam categorically stated on the floor of the House on Tuesday that the ruling Mahayuti administration is entirely positive about the swift introduction of the Uniform Civil Code to standardize personal laws. To...

Govt assures swift UCC implementation

Mumbai: Maharashtra government unequivocally declared its commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the state, assuring the legislative assembly that a comprehensive legal framework is already in the advanced stages of formulation. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam categorically stated on the floor of the House on Tuesday that the ruling Mahayuti administration is entirely positive about the swift introduction of the Uniform Civil Code to standardize personal laws. To facilitate this monumental legislative transition, the state government has formally sanctioned the constitution of a dedicated expert committee, which is being spearheaded by a retired High Court judge. This committee has been entrusted with the critical responsibility of meticulously preparing the draft bill for the Uniform Civil Code, which the government intends to enact immediately upon the submission of the final report. Emphasising the overarching objectives of the proposed legislation, Kadam noted that the Uniform Civil Code would universally apply to every citizen irrespective of their religious affiliations and would explicitly incorporate a stringent ban on the controversial practice of polygamy. The minister drew direct parallels with the legislative measures recently adopted by states like Uttarakhand, underscoring that the impending law in Maharashtra would similarly entail severe penal consequences, potentially including imprisonment for up to seven years for violations related to polygamy and illegal divorce practices. He firmly maintained that the government’s approach is fundamentally secular, harboring no animosity toward any specific religion, but is rather driven by the constitutional imperative to extend equal rights, legal protection, and comprehensive justice to women from all communities. This definitive policy assurance from the government was catalysed by a highly volatile calling attention motion initiated by BJP legislator Devyani Farande, which thrust the deeply sensitive issues of triple talaq and polygamy into the center of the assembly’s monsoon session. Farande brought the ongoing plight of Muslim women to the immediate attention of the House, asserting that despite the central government’s strict legislative prohibition, the illegal practice of instant divorce continues to flourish unabated.

Royal Swagger

As Maharashtra gears up for a pivotal assembly election, the state’s Maratha royals are emerging as influential players, reinvigorating their legacy and political relevance. From Kolhapur’s Ghatge and Chhatrapatis to the warring Bhosales of Satara, these regal figures are turning heads and wielding clout —whether in switching political camps, drawing massive crowds, or resolving high-stakes disputes over candidate nominations. Their involvement reflects both tradition and strategic electoral recalibration. While the jury is out as to their ability to tip the electoral balance, they certainly are in the reckoning in the November 20 battle.


In September, Samarjeet Ghatge, a BJP leader and a descendant of the Kagal royal family, known for his close ties with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, turned his coat to Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (SP) with considerable fanfare.


Ghatge has been seething ever since his arch-rival Hasan Mushrif, a cabinet minister and another key member in the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, aligned himself with the ruling Mahayuti coalition in wake of Ajit’s rebellion. Ghatge and Mushrif have been daggers drawn for a long time when the latter was part of the undivided NCP. Their feud is well-known in Kolhapur. Now, with Ghatge on the MVA’s side, Mushrif, as the ruling Mahayuti’s candidate, finds his 25-year grip over Kagal seriously challenged.


Meanwhile, another dramatic about-face was witnessed in Kolhapur within the MVA coalition, as it nominated Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati, daughter-in-law of Kolhapur’s Congress MP Shahu Chhatrapati, over its previous candidate Rajesh Latkar. After tensions among Congress workers culminated in protests and vandalism, the decision to field Madhurima—a name carrying weight and sway—demonstrates the MVA’s effort to leverage royal clout for electoral gain. This nomination showcases the Congress’ acknowledgement of the potential impact of royal bloodlines to bolster voter confidence and minimize intra-party discord.

Earlier, in the Lok Sabha election, when the MVA lacked a suitable candidate in Kolhapur, it was Sharad Pawar who managed to get Shahu Chhatrapati to contest on the Congress symbol. The result was a resounding win for the Maratha royal.


A most intriguing role is being played by Shahu II’s son - Yuvraj Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati. After his Rajya Sabha stint, Sambhaji Raje, an influential voice in the Maratha reservation agitation, formed the Swarajya Sangathan and has thrown in his lot with the ‘Parivartan Mahashakti Aghadi’ - a formidable alliance of Maharashtra’s smaller yet influential factions which include Raju Shetti’s Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and Bacchu Kadu’s Prahar Janshakti Party among others.


The PMA has now emerged as a viable ‘third front’, poised to eat into votes of the ruling and opposition coalitions.


In Satara, the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji— Udayanraje and Shivendraraje Bhosale (both in the ruling BJP)—continue to capture public attention. Udayanraje, who won the Lok Sabha contest this time, will now be expected to support his rival, Shivendraraje, who is seeking re-election from the Satara Assembly segment for the fourth consecutive time. The duo is notorious for their turbulent and at times fractious rivalry, their dramatic familial feuds and equally dramatic public reconciliations.


With Maharashtra’s upcoming election touted to shape the state’s future, the re-emergence of Maratha royals as kingmakers signals a calculated nod to heritage and electoral might. The Maratha royals, it seems this time, are not only guardians of the past but also architects of the state’s political landscape.

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