Advocates of statehood want demonstrations on Maha Diwas

Nagpur: Wearing black bands, shirts, and scarves, the Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) will observe May 1, which is observed as Maharashtra Day across the state, as Black Day. Additionally, there will be a demonstration in Variety Square in front of the Gandhi monument.

Former MLA and VRAS leader Wamanrao Chatap told the media on Monday that similar demonstrations in favor of statehood had been organized in each of Vidarbha’s 11 districts.

“The impending formation of a new government will be signaled by this demonstration. Chatap said, “We want to let them know that we support Vidarbha’s statehood.
The former MLA also emphasized that promises (about awarding statehood) were made but never followed through on, regardless of the political party in power, the Congress or the BJP. “Congress betrayed us, and BJP did nothing different,” Chatap said. Several high-ranking officials broke their promises, even after providing us with a formal declaration. We’re through with all of this. We won’t stop protesting until statehood is awarded.

Renowned economist and senior partner of VRAS Shrinivas Khandewale said, “It doesn’t matter at all what these people say,” when asked whether the leaders of the top two parties in the race were ever serious about statehood since it wasn’t addressed in either of their manifestos or rallies. In essence, they only address each other’s remarks in a constructive manner. Therefore, this demonstration will serve as a message to the incoming administration that the people of Vidarbha deserve their just compensation.

Khandewale also shed attention on the Vidarbha region’s job issues. “What makes students choose to study in Pune and Mumbai? Why is it that they have to go to these places in order to get work? As things are in our city, youngsters are leaving for employment in Mumbai and Pune, and within a year, even the parents are leaving.

“To say that Maharashtra has the highest number of farmer suicides is an incomplete statement,” said Shrinivas Khandewale. Actually, the majority of farmer suicides occur in Vidarbha. Since we are the ones who are suffering, statehood is now the only way to address the issue.