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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

Aaditya bats for ‘truth’

Mumbai: Two days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a FIR in the Disha Salian case, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and ex-Minister Aaditya Thackeray broke his silence – to proclaim that he would “fight for truth and against injustice”, here on Wednesday. “For the sake of truth, against injustice, our fight will continue,” vowed Aditya, daring his opponents that all attempts to silence him through ‘politically motivated character assassination’ will not succeed. Thackeray Jr’s...

Aaditya bats for ‘truth’

Mumbai: Two days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a FIR in the Disha Salian case, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and ex-Minister Aaditya Thackeray broke his silence – to proclaim that he would “fight for truth and against injustice”, here on Wednesday. “For the sake of truth, against injustice, our fight will continue,” vowed Aditya, daring his opponents that all attempts to silence him through ‘politically motivated character assassination’ will not succeed. Thackeray Jr’s assertion came after the CBI recorded the statement of Disha Salian’s father Satish Salian as per the September 2 directives of the Bombay High Court handing over the case probe to the central agency. Taking to X today, Aaditya said: “To stop the dust of rumors once again, I'm stating only and only the facts! Let’s cut through the noise and talk facts, once again. I have never met Disha Salian, nor did I have any acquaintance with her, or have known her." Nevertheless, Aaditya said that for the past six years, due to political motives arising out of personal enmity and with the intent of character assassination, “some people have been deliberately trying to link my name to this unfortunate incident repeatedly, despite there being no evidence or connection whatsoever”. With an apparent tinge of regret, the SS (UBT) MLA said that the false discussions on television channels and media trials carried out through empty bluster cannot alter the truth. “Loud TV debates and media trials do not change the facts. Let the official re-investigation proceed without malicious distractions and relentless smear campaigns run by vested interests without a single shred of evidence and truth is highly unfortunate,” Aaditya said. The controversy dates back to June 2020, when Disha Salian, 28, a celebrity manager who had worked with the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died after falling from a high-rise building in Malad. The Mumbai Police initially investigated the death as an accidental-death matter and subsequently concluded there was no foul play. Later however, her father Satish Salian challenged the handling of the case and sought a fresh investigation. Allowing his plea, the high court ordered the CBI to register an FIR and conduct a substantive investigation with an open mind into the circumstances surrounding her death. Crucially, the court also stated that it was not making findings against any individual and directed that no person be treated as an accused unless material emerged during investigations.

Tale of strength, victory

Writer: Mamta Chitnis-Sen
Mamta Chitnis-Sen
Oct 3, 2025
2 min read

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.


PART - 13


Name: Bhagyashree Shinde | Where: Mumbai
Name: Bhagyashree Shinde | Where: Mumbai

Bhagyashree Kaluram Shinde, a young girl from the Wadar Vasti community, represents resilience and determination. Her family, part of the Mati Wadar community, has encountered significant obstacles. The family’s move to Wadar Vasti and the closure of her father’s traditional mattress weaving business during the COVID-19 pandemic rushed them into crisis.


Amidst hardship, Bhagyashree’s father adjusted to the situation by establishing a small general store within their community. The family of six, which includes Bhagyashree’s parents, grandmother, and two younger sisters, worked together to navigate their new situations. Despite the challenges, Bhagyashree remained unwavering in her academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.


Bhagyashree has been an enthusiastic and energetic girl since childhood. Her parents says that she first began learning karate when she was in class 4. With her interest in sports, she chose karate and initially took a few days of coaching.


However, due to her family’s financial challenges, continuing formal training was not possible. Recognising her dedication and passion, her karate teacher Nitin Kamble decided to train her completely free of cost, ensuring that her dreams were not hindered by financial constraints.


For the past nine years, she has honed her skills in karate and become a formidable athlete with his unwavering support, both financial and motivational. Her journey in karate is marked by dedication, discipline, and countless hours of rigorous training.

A member of Child Rights and You’s activity center collective groups, Bhagyashree, actively participates in all the programs and events offered. She achieved a commendable 54 per cent in her 10th-grade examinations last year, demonstrating her dedication to her studies.


Bhagyashree’s journey from a small community in Wadar Vasti to the national stage is a proof to her dedication and perseverance. Her achievements at the City and State level tournaments in Katraj, Pune, where she secured second place and earned a silver medal, have paved the way for her participation in the National level tournament in Haryana in August 2024.


This success not only represents a personal achievement for Bhagyashree but also brings great pride to her family and community.


Her accomplishments emphasise that no goal is unattainable, and through hard work, persistence, and the right encouragement, one can achieve anything. She is not just a talented karate athlete; she symbolizes resilience, hope, and the limitless potential that resides within each of us. The sport not only strengthened her physically but also built her confidence.


Bhagyashree says, “I am no longer afraid to walk around the community, even at night, because I know I can protect myself.” This transformation, she believes, was made possible only because of karate, which empowered her with both skills and self-belief. She is pursuing her further education while also teaching karate to children in her community. Her dream is not only to achieve personal success in the sport but also to empower other girls through karate, helping them become as brave and confident.

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