Mumbai:BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar lashed at the Maha Vikas Agaadi government for refusing permission to celebrate birth anniversary of Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar on May 31.
Ahilya Bai Holkar was a queen in early-modern India and established Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh as the seat of Holkar Dynasty. Coming from a Dhangar community, she defended the Malwa state against intruders and personally led armies into battle. She was born in Chondi village in Ahmednagar district on May 31, 1725.
“It is outrageous that the administration has yet to give permission to us which shows that they are under pressure from Pawar family and that why permission has been kept pending to celebrate Ahilyabai Holkar’s birth anniversary. You cannot wipe out the history of masses. She was our leader and celebrating her birth anniversary is our tradition,” Padalkar said.
Earlier, the BJP leader had written a letter to the district collector seeking permission for the celebration and a public rally at Chondi.
In the letter, Padalkar had requested, “Ahilyabai was a defender of Hindu culture and good administrator. Her birth anniversary is to be celebrated on May 31 at Chondi by people from all walks of life. The large gathering would be addressed through a rally. Please give us permission for the programme.”
However, the authorities have not taken any decision on the permission application, “We are surprised as why the permission was not granted and kept in abeyance to our rally? Ahilyabai was a mass leader and people of Dhangar community always worshipped her. It is very unfair for the community,” Padalkar said.
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