Revisiting Samyukta Maharashtra Movement as Sharad Pawar compares Opposition’s protest rally to historic agitation

What was Samyukta Maharashtra Movement?

The Samyukta Maharashtra Movement was crucial to the creation of the present state of Maharashtra, which was the outcome of a long and arduous struggle by several lakh people. What was notable about the movement was that it did not have a single leader. Instead, it was a movement which saw collective leadership.

Political stalwarts from different parties and diametrically opposed ideologies set aside their differences to unite behind the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.

Maharashtra was created on May 1, 1960. The creation of the state under the Linguistic State Reorganisation Act was not a smooth process. Mumbai (then known as Bombay) had become a bone of contention between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. While Gujarat was insisting that Mumbai should become part of their state, Maharashtra leaders were adamant that they would not compromise on Mumbai.

The central leadership, under the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, had to concede to Maharashtra’s demand to retain Mumbai. Any other decision under consideration, including separate union territory status or inclusion in the state of Gujarat, had invited a strong reaction in Maharashtra.

The Samyukta Maharashtra Movement struck a deep emotional chord with the people. Prominent leaders of the movement included Shripad Amrit Dange, Shreedhar Mahadev Joshi, Narayan Gore, Uddhavrao Patil, Annabhau Sathe, Prahlad Keshav Atre, Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, Pandurang Mahadev Bapat, Bhausaheb Raut, Amar Shaikh, G T Madkholkar, Madhuri Dandavate, Y K Saini, and Keshavrao Jedhe.

The movement between 1956 and 1960, led by veteran Communists, Socialist leaders, and socio-economic reformers, was crucial as it helped retain Mumbai within Maharashtra. In the fierce and bitter agitation, almost 106 people died following police firing at Hutatma Chowk at Flora Fountain in Mumbai. A memorial of martyrs holding a pair of torches in their hands with heads raised high is a reminder of their struggle and sacrifice in the movement that changed political history.

Can Satyacha Morcha be compared to Samyukta Maharashtra Movement?

At the outset, these are two distinct agitations, occurring at different times with different causes. Unlike SMM, which saw veterans unite for the larger cause of Maharashtra, the current opposition unity is more driven by setting a political narrative against the ruling coalition and emerging victorious ahead of the local body elections.

Although their unity and pledge to fight for democracy, the Constitution, and voting rights, as well as eliminating voter fraud, have brought them together, this is not the first time Opposition has come together. In the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls, also under the INDIA bloc, Opposition parties formed a broad front to fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP.

Changes in political landscape in Maharashtra

In the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, there were two fronts: the Shiv Sena-BJP versus the Congress-NCP. Following the 2019 assembly polls, the political landscape shifted with Uddhav Thackeray forming a coalition with the Congress-NCP to form the government, pushing the BJP into the Opposition.

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