‘Maharashtra Dharma is a code of ethical living’: CM in podcast

The first episode of ‘Maharashtra Dharma’, a new podcast series featuring chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, was released on Sunday. Titled ‘Maharashtra Dharma: Foundation and Formation’, the episode was focussed on Maharashtra’s spiritual journey across centuries, from its mention in the mythological epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, to the influence of Lord Buddha, and the rise of the Maratha empire and the freedom movement.

- Yogesh Naik

The podcast comes amid a raging row in Maharashtra over the government's now-retracted attempt to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language in schools and efforts by the opposition to portray the ruling Mahayuti alliance as anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi manoos. The coming together of estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray - the duo addressed a joint rally on July 5 to celebrate the scrapping of government resolutions to introduce Hindi in schools - has further cornered the BJP.

Fadnavis’ podcast, which will feature him being interviewed by renowned persons from various fields, is an attempt to counter the negative image of the ruling alliance and its lead constituent, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), insiders in the saffron party told Hindustan Times.