THE SUNDAY Vol. 36 No. 49 | Sunday, August 31, 2025 29 Pages | `5 & for State `6 | Reg. No. MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 46955/1988 M.p.c.s. office Mumbai-400001 FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation J Y E S H T H A G A U R I AVA H A N WEEKEND Weekend Story of Ganesha’s many forms Sunday Read Goa’s Patrecho Ganpati Significance of Lord Vishnu on Anant Chaturdashi Sunday Read Spiritual meaning of Gauri’s arrival during Ganeshotsav HM Shah meets CM MUMBAI Permission has been granted to continue protest for Sunday, Day Three legally parked by protesters, choking arterial roads. By afternoon, the stir spilled beyond South Mumbai. Groups of protesters marched to Mantralaya, Lalbaug, the Gateway of India and Chembur, further straining traffic. In the evening, they returned to Azad Maidan and the BMC headquarters, again bringing movement around CSMT, BMC and Azad Maidan to a grinding halt. Police tread softly Fadnavis invokes Constitution Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dug in on his position on Saturday declaring that he rejects any attempt to create conflict between communities. Speaking to a Marathi news channel, Fadnavis underlined that the government is committed to finding a solution to the Maratha quota demand, but strictly within the framework of the Constitution. He categorically rejected any attempt to create conflict between communities. “We will never accept nor encourage a situation where two communities are pitted against each other. Politics can go to hell, but creating discord in society is not part of our principles. Today, the Maratha community already has 10% reservation which has been upheld. The demand is how it should be granted — through OBC or separately — and that will be decided only within constitutional limits,” Fadnavis said. The chief minister emphasised that satisfying one group at the cost of another could not be the government’s approach. “Our effort is to find a solution that satisfies all. 4Contd on | Nation Today, the Maratha community already has 10% reservation, which has been upheld. The question is how it should be granted — through OBC or separately — and that will be decided only within constitutional limits. – Devendra Fadnavis SEE MUMBAI Court deals blow to Choksi’s bail Trump over tariffs plea rejected PTI FPJ News Service WASHINGTON Donald Trump has lashed out at a US appeals court ruling that declared many of his global tariffs illegal, vowing to fight the decision in the Supreme Court. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the appeals court “incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end.” He added that he would fight back “with the help of the United States Supreme Court,” insisting that removing tariffs would be “a total disaster for the Country.” The 7-4 decision from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said Trump had ex- ficially recognised as Kunbis, citing historical records from the Satara and Hyderabad GaOn the second day of the Ma- zetteers. He insisted that the ratha quota agitation led by government immediately Maratha Quota activist Manoj issue a GR declaring Marathas Jarange the first round of as Kunbis, otherwise he talks with the state-appointed would continue with his government delegation ended hunger strike. “Half of Mahain failure. Jarange remained rashtra’s Marathas are already firm on his demand that Ma- Kunbis. In Marathwada, rathas be declared as Kunbis Khandesh, and Vidarbha, Mato ensure reservation benefits, rathas are identified as Kunand made it clear that he bis. How can half of the would not withdraw his pro- community be Kunbi and the test until the government is- other half just Maratha? The sued a formal government government must clear this resolution (GR). contradiction,” Jarange told The Cabinet Subthe delegation. Manoj Committee headed He questioned Jarange by Minister Radhakwhy the OBC catrefuses rishna Vikhe-Patil on egory was granted to to budge. Maratha reservation all communities Onus held a meeting on under one umbrella, now on Saturday morning but the same apCabinet and deputed retired proach is being deto break Justice Sandip nied to Marathas. “If logjam Shinde, Konkan Divithe Gazetteers alsional Commissioner ready show MaraVijay Suryavanshi, and other thas and Kunbis as one, why senior officers to hold talks delay? We will not wait even with Jarange at Azad Maidan. for a minute for Hyderabad The meeting between the del- Gazette implementation. The egation and Jarange lasted for GR must be issued now,” he about 45 minutes but ended said. Jarange though was without a breakthrough. ready to allow the governDuring the discussion, Jar- ment some time to study the ange reiterated his demand Aundh Gazette. that Marathas from Marath4Contd on | Nation wada and other regions be of- Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday offered prayers at the famed Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati with his family. He later visited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ residence as part of the Ganesh festival celebrations. Megha Kuchik & Avadhut Kharade For the second consecutive day, South Mumbai was brought to its knees by the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil at Azad Maidan. On Friday, thousands of protesters descended on the city, paralysing traffic across South Mumbai with ripple effects across the metropolis. The same disruption played out again on Saturday, as Mumbai reeled under a virtual lockdown. From early morning, agitators occupied the roads in front of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Traffic towards Fort, Girgaum, the General Post Office, Mantralaya and the J. J. Flyover was completely stalled. Long queues of vehicles stretched across the area, while hundreds of jeeps, tempos and trucks were il- Deadlock deepens 360° VIEW OUTSIDE CSMT US appeals court lets tariffs remain until mid-October. Trump vows battle in Supreme Court NEW DELHI Genealogy panel tenure extended Ravikiran Deshmukh MUMBAI The Maharashtra government, which had stayed silent even after thousands of Maratha activists gathered at Azad Maidan on Friday and brought South Mumbai to a halt, has extended the tenure of Maratha genealogy committees set up at the taluka level. These committees are tasked with issuing caste and caste validity certificates to eligible Maratha community members under the Kunbi caste of the OBC category. The Social Justice Department, headed by Sanjay Shirsat, issued a government resolution late on Friday formalising the extension. The decision came amid mounting pressure from Maratha reservation leader Manoj Jarange Patil, who launched an indefinite fast at Azad Maidan demanding a 10 per cent quota for the community under the OBC category. The caste validity committees, chaired by tahsildars, were formed in January 2024 by the Eknath Shinde-led government. They play a crucial role in verifying Kunbi certificates, which are essential for securing reservation benefits in education and government jobs. Recently, the government also extended the tenure of the Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde Committee till December to scrutinise Maratha community records. Both moves by the Mahayuti government are aimed at expediting the recognition of Marathas as Kunbi, MarathaKunbi or Kunbi-Maratha. 4Contd on | Nation On Day 2 of the Maratha protest, Mumbai Police displayed calm and restraint. They handled crowds tactfully, even asking Manoj Jarange-Patil through a video call to appeal for peace. Fadnavis under fire Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is facing mounting pressure from Jarange-Patil’s agitation. Sources say even Maratha leaders within the ruling Mahayuti are quietly extending support to the protest. Protesters slam facilities Citing poor arrangements in Mumbai, thousands of Maratha agitators shifted to Navi Mumbai. Over 35,000 have crowded into Vashi’s CIDCO centre, while others are spilling over into stations, colleges and markets. SEE MUMBAI ceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court upheld an earlier May ruling from the Court of International Trade that also rejected Trump’s arguments. However, the judges allowed the tariffs to remain in effect until October 14, giving the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court. 4Contd on | Nation 4Contd on | Nation Manoj Jarange meets state panel at Azad Maidan on Saturday to resolve Maratha quota row. MODI LANDS IN CHINA ‘Modi’s China visit tests diplomacy, SCO unity amid US tariffs and tensions FPJ News Service MUMBAI The bail plea of fugitive diamonds trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in India in connection with over Rs 6300-crore fraud in the Punjab National Bank (PNB), has again been turned down by a court of appeal in Belgium, just ahead of his extradition hearing before a court, officials said. The court rejected the appeal on strong reasons conveyed by the CBI to the Belgian prosecution that Choksi had escaped from many jurisdictions earlier as well to evade legal proceedings and may flee to another country if let out on bail, they said. Choksi was arrested in Belgium in April on the basis of an extradition request sent by the CBI, they said. Salman Ansari Day Two same as Day One Salman Ansari Jarange’s political picnic continues Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday for a two-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking his first trip to China since the Galwan Valley clashes of 2020. Modi was received at Binhai International Airport with a warm welcome, including a cultural dance performance, by senior Chinese and Indian officials. The SCO summit comes at a delicate moment in India’s external relations, following the United States’ recent imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, including a 25 per cent duty for importing Russian crude oil. The gathering, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, will also see the participa- PM Narendra Modi, along with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba (L), rides a bullet train in Japan. –PTI tion of Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of other member states. India, which joined the SCO as a full member in 2017, has actively contributed to the bloc’s agenda, having chaired the Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the Council of Heads of State in 2022–23. Besides India, the SCO includes China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus, with several observer states and dialogue partners. On the sidelines, Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Xi and Putin. His discussions with Xi are particularly significant given efforts in recent months to reset ties after years of strain. Measures have included reopening trade routes through Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La, and Nathu La, as well as steps to restore direct air connectivity and ease visa processes. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to New Delhi laid the groundwork for this engagement, with both sides stressing the importance of multilateralism, strengthening the WTO-led trading system, and safeguarding the interests of developing nations. 4Contd on | Nation Brand US in the toilet, opines former American NSA FPJ News Service MUMBAI Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has sharply criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, warning that the move is damaging America’s global standing and pushing New Delhi closer to Beijing. Speaking on The Bulwark podcast with Tim Miller, Sullivan said, “The American brand globally is in the toilet. Look at India. Trump has executed a massive trade offensive against them. Now, India is thinking, shit, we have to go sit down with China to hedge against America." He said that US allies now view Washington as a “big disruptor” that cannot be counted on, while China is gaining popularity worldwide. “When I go to these places now and I talk to leaders, they are talking about derisking the United States. They now see the US as the big disruptor, the country that can’t be counted on. China has moved ahead of the United States in popularity in a whole lot of countries. And that was not the case one year ago, when countries now are basically saying the US brand is in the toilet and China is looking like a responsible player,” he said. Citing India as an example, he said US had been working on a bipartisan basis to build a deeper and more sustainable relationship with New Delhi, particularly in the context of countering China. 4Contd on | Nation The American brand globally is in the toilet. Look at India. Trump has executed a massive trade offensive against them. Now, India is thinking, sh*t, we have to go sit down with China to hedge against America. Jake Sullivan ‘Took less than 50 weapons to humble Pak’ PTI NEW DELHI Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, said on Saturday that less than 50 weapons fired by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at carefully selected Pakistani military targets compelled Islamabad to request an end to hostilities by mid-day on May 10. Recounting the mission at the NDTV Defence Summit, Air Marshal Tiwari said the IAF was able to achieve "complete domination" over the Pakistan military with the strikes that followed Pakistan's attack on the intervening night of May 9 and 10. "I must tell you that it was a key takeaway for us that in less than 50 weapons, we were able to achieve complete domination. It has not happened before," he said. Tiwari, who played a key role in Operation Sindoor, said some of the targets hit during the mission were not struck even during the 1971 war. "We made every weapon count, and that is a tacit acknowledgement of the capability of our planners and people who executed the missions," he said. 4Contd on | Nation