Pune: ‘Jai Gujarat’ Slogan by Eknath Shinde in Pune Sparks Political Row
Khadakwasla, 4th July 2025: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde found himself at the centre of a fresh political storm after ending a public address in Pune with the slogan “Jai Gujarat,” following his praise for Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The remark came soon after he chanted “Jai Maharashtra” and “Jai Hind,” but the addition of “Jai Gujarat” drew swift backlash from opposition leaders.
Reacting to Shinde’s remarks, NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Clyde Crasto accused the deputy CM of being “greedy for power,” pointing out that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah hail from Gujarat. Crasto implied that Shinde’s slogan was aimed at appeasing BJP leadership.
However, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis came to Shinde’s defence. “Just because he said ‘Jai Gujarat’ doesn’t mean he loves Gujarat more than Maharashtra. Such parochial thinking doesn’t behove Marathi people,” Fadnavis said during a press interaction.
The row has escalated at a time when tensions are already high following viral videos showing MNS workers assaulting traders. Commenting on the incident, Fadnavis said that while Marathi should be respected, violence in its name would not be tolerated. “Hooliganism cannot be justified, even if it’s in the name of language,” he stated.
The developments come ahead of civic polls and shortly after the BJP-led government’s proposal to introduce Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools, a move that was later rolled back following public criticism.
