Pandharpur Correspondent

The very women who once prayed for the return of the “God-brother” (Devabhau) government by offering sacred water to the deity have now made an emotional appeal to that same government  not to destroy their homes in the name of development.

In a unique protest on the occasion of Rakhi Purnima, women from families likely to be displaced by the proposed Pandharpur Corridor Project sent symbolic “No Corridor, No Development Plan (DP)” rakhis to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Before dispatching the rakhis, they applied blood tilaks to the leaders' photographs and performed traditional aarti rituals.

The demonstration was held in front of the Shri Krishna Temple in Pandharpur, where a large number of women gathered. They made rakhis inscribed with the message "No Corridor, No DP", expressing their opposition to the state government’s plan, which they claim will destroy homes and livelihoods.

The women raised slogans such as:

• "Accept the plea of your beloved sisters cancel the corridor project!"

• "Instead of gifting us development, you're giving us destruction!"

Dr. Prajakta Benare, District President of BJP’s Women’s Wing, remarked, “Women voted overwhelmingly for Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha elections and for the return of the 'God-brothers' government in Maharashtra. But now that very government is threatening to uproot us. We strongly oppose this injustice.”

The Pandharpur Corridor Project has been facing increasing public resistance. This protest, blending cultural sentiment with political dissent, reflects deepening frustration among the potentially affected communities.

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