Vidarbha Statehood Activists Rally in Nagpur, Announce Major February March
The Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) intensified its long-standing campaign for a separate state by organizing a significant public awareness event in Nagpur on Monday. The 'Vidarbha Nirman Jan Sankalp Flag Rally' served as a powerful precursor to a planned long march and mass rally scheduled for February 22, aiming to galvanize regional support for statehood.
Rally Details and Public Response
The rally commenced with participants offering prayers at the Vidarbha Chandika Mandir located at Shaheed Chowk in Itwari. A prominent feature of the procession was a massive 125-foot-long Vidarbha flag, which was carried through key commercial districts of Nagpur. The route included:
- Itwari market area
- Gandhibagh commercial zone
- Bharat Mata Chowk
- Maskasath locality
The procession culminated back at Shaheed Chowk, with organizers reporting a significant and enthusiastic response from residents and traders along the entire route. Slogans demanding the creation of a separate Vidarbha state echoed throughout the event.
Leadership and Upcoming Actions
Mukesh Masurkar, president of the VRAS youth front Vidarbha, emphasized that the campaign's primary objective is to mobilize widespread public support for statehood. VRAS leaders consistently cite regional development concerns and the need for administrative efficiency as fundamental reasons for their demand.
In addition to the February 22 long march, the organization has announced a bike rally scheduled for 2 PM on February 18, starting from Samvidhan Square. This event is expected to further amplify their message across the region.
Key Participants and Organizational Presence
The rally saw participation from numerous VRAS office bearers and supporters, including:
- Mukesh Masurkar - Vidarbha Youth Front President
- Arunbhau Kedar - East Vidarbha President
- Prashant Nakhate - Nagpur District President
- Naresh Nimje - Nagpur City President
- Jyoti Khandekar - Nagpur Women President
Other notable attendees included district vice-president Gulabrao Dhande, Nagpur district transport front president Amul Sakure, and activists such as Ganesh Sharma, Santosh Khode, Piyush Rewatkar, Naushad Hussain, Vijaya Tajne, Madhuri Chauhan, and Vijay Raut.
The February 22 long march is positioned as a critical escalation in the statehood campaign, with VRAS leaders urging citizens across the Vidarbha region to participate en masse. The organization remains steadfast in its advocacy, highlighting what it describes as persistent regional neglect and the necessity for a separate administrative entity to address local development priorities effectively.
