Amid drought, Dhule leaders' birthday dance shows spark outrage
As Dhule farmers seek a drought declaration, birthday events for local leaders featuring lavani and dancer Gautami Patil have drawn sharp criticism
Dhule district has seen poor rainfall this year, leaving kharif season crops destroyed and farmers facing severe drought conditions. Farmers and public representatives have been repeatedly visiting the district collector's office demanding that Dhule be immediately declared drought-hit. But even as this crisis continues, senior leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition have been holding lavish lavani and entertainment programmes on the occasion of their own and their children's birthdays, sparking political tension in the district.
Lavani and various entertainment programmes were organised on the birthday of the son of BJP leader and minister Jaykumar Rawal. The opposition has strongly targeted him over this, alleging that Rawal should have been making administrative efforts to get Dhule included in the drought-hit list, but is instead rubbing salt into farmers' wounds.
Separately, a dance performance by well-known dancer Gautami Patil was organised on the birthday of BJP leader Kunal Patil. The spending of large sums of money on Gautami Patil's programme amid drought-like conditions has caused strong anger among local residents and farmers. Both leaders have also faced heavy criticism on social media.
With farmers badly affected by lack of rainfall and crop losses, questions are being raised about the propriety of leaders spending crores of rupees on birthday celebrations and entertainment. Office-bearers of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction and the Maharashtra State Kisan Sabha have publicly protested against both leaders.
Nanabhau Sonawane, Dhule district chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, angrily questioned how holding such tasteless and entertainment-focused programmes was extremely irresponsible at a time when farmers in drought were struggling and pleading for water and help.
Hiralal Pardeshi, state president of the Maharashtra State Kisan Sabha, said sharply, "Severe drought-like conditions prevail in the district. Public representatives should have been following up to get farmers help, but instead they consider themselves blessed to celebrate birthdays, which is a cruel joke on farmers."
Former legislator Anil Gote strongly attacked the Mahayuti government over the fact that despite only 65 per cent rainfall in Dhule district, the government has not declared drought. He said that with the district facing severe drought-like conditions, a dance programme by Gautami Patil was organised as a celebration on the birthday of former BJP legislator Kunal Patil.
Anil Gote said angrily that the ruling side was showing negligence by completely ignoring the opposition's demands. Instead of standing with farmers, this waste of money and neglect by leaders was deeply shameful, he said. He added that today the farmer of Dhule has become helpless and has nothing left but regret.
