Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, May 1: On the occasion of Maharashtra’s 66th Foundation Day, Shiv Sena (UBT) used its editorial mouthpiece Saamana to launch a scathing attack on the Mahayuti government, accusing it of eroding the identity and pride of Maharashtra, and calling for the revival of "Maharashtra Dharma" to reclaim the state's lost self-respect.

The editorial, fiery in tone and rich in symbolism, accused the ruling dispensation of weakening Maharashtra’s legacy by aligning with Delhi’s interests and betraying the ethos built on the sacrifices of 107 martyrs. “Those tailgating Delhi have weakened the Sahyadris. Today, Maharashtra Dharma must be awakened—not just celebrated,” the piece declared.

Once hailed as the jewel of enterprise and progressive governance, Maharashtra is now burdened with debt and distress, the editorial lamented. “Industries are fleeing to Gujarat, youth are jobless, and farmers are left to fend for themselves,” it noted, while blaming the administration’s "khoke culture" and corruption for the state’s reported Rs 9.5 lakh crore debt.

The Thackeray-led faction lashed out at the government for allegedly mortgaging Maharashtra’s pride at Delhi’s feet, calling it an “artificial government dancing to Delhi’s tune.” It warned that betrayal, dishonesty, and political treachery were being normalised, threatening the very soul of Maharashtra.

Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where six tourists from Maharashtra lost their lives, the editorial accused the ruling parties of engaging in a “shameful credit war” over bringing back stranded tourists. “When Maharashtra mourned, its leaders fought over who paid the bus fare,” it remarked sharply.

It further criticised the rollback of the Ladki Bahin Yojana from ?2,100 to ?500, calling it a betrayal of women voters. “This is not Maharashtra Dharma—this is political dishonesty,” it said.

Slamming the government for what it called a deliberate attempt to distort the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the editorial alleged a conspiracy to "erase Maratha pride" by tampering with the symbolic importance of Aurangzeb’s grave. “This is not history—it’s a betrayal of it,” it thundered.

Adding to the accusations, the piece referred to the recent attempt to enforce Hindi in the state, which was withdrawn only after public backlash. “This was a Tughlaq edict—an insult to Marathi and the people of Maharashtra,” it said.

Concluding with a call to action, Saamana urged the people of Maharashtra to remember their roots and stand up against those who, it alleged, had "traded the state's soul for power." "This Maharashtra Day is not just a celebration—it is a call to reclaim what was lost. That is true Maharashtra Dharma," it declared.