Vidarbha Statehood Activists Detained During 'Black Day' Protest on Maharashtra Day Nagpur: The long-standing demand for Vidarbha statehood gained renewed attention as activists of the Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) organized a symbolic protest on Maharashtra Day, observed on May 1, which they termed "Black Day." The protest, marked by heightened tensions and clashes with police, culminated in the detention of several activists after they attempted to hoist a black flag at the gates of the Vidhan Bhavan, the state legislature building. The demonstration, which began with black balloons filling the skies over Samvidhan Chowk, was intended as a silent expression of anger over perceived neglect of the Vidarbha region. The VRAS activists gathered in large numbers, raising slogans such as "Jai Vidarbha," "Vegla Vidarbha jhalach pahije" (Vidarbha state must be formed), and "Vidarbha is our right." A group of protesters marched toward the legislative assembly, tying black balloons to barricades and attempting to hoist the black flag. Police, deployed in significant numbers, intervened swiftly to prevent the protest from escalating. The confrontation led to a brief scuffle and heated verbal exchanges, resulting in the arrest of at least 15 activists, including key leaders such as Mukesh Masurkar, the provincial president of the VRAS youth wing, Jyotitai Khandekar, the city women's wing president, and Girish Titarmare, the youth wing city president. These detainees were taken to Sitabuldi police station. Anticipating the scale of the protest, authorities had taken preventive measures the night prior, detaining several VRAS leaders from across the city.#vidarbha_rajya_andolan_samiti #mukesh_masurkar #jyotitai_khandekar #girish_titarmare #vidhan_bhavan
