The protagonists of separate Vidarbha state will observe ‘Black Day’ on May 1, the golden jubilee of the formation of Maharashtra, and have also given a call for a general strike in support of separate statehood.
The decision was taken in an all-party meeting, Vidarbha Rajya Sangram Samiti, held here on April 18.
The samiti is an umbrella organisation with representation from all major political parties, with the exception of Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Former Lok Sabha member Jambuwantrao Dhote said that people will boycott all the official functions of the golden jubilee celebrations of the state government in different districts and tehsil headquarters.
The samiti has appealed all peoples’ representatives from the region, including MPs and legislators to boycott the Maharashtra Day functions all over the region.
He said that all residents of the region should fly black flags on their houses and sport black badges to protest the 50 years of injustice and exploitation that Vidarbha has suffered.
Earlier, pro-Vidarbha leaders organised two successful bandhs in the region in support of the demand. “We want the people of Vidarbha to make May 1 general strike a success,” Dhote said.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, pro-Vidarbha leaders organised two successful bandhs in the region in support of the demand. “We want the people of Vidarbha to make May 1 general strike a success,” Dhote said.
{{/usCountry}}The pro-Vidarbha leaders had also gone to Delhi last month to lobby for the cause of separate statehood.
The protagonists of separate Vidarbha also pointed out that barring the Shiv Sena and MNS, nobody is questioning the attempts to bifurcate the state.
Sena is opposed to the demand for separate Vidarbha saying it would not allow Maharashtra to be divided.