• Source:JND
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EVERY year on May 1, Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day are observed after the bifurcation of the Bombay State in 1960. The campaign to create a Marathi-speaking state in the 1950s led to the formation of these two states.

Significance Of Maharashtra And Gujarat Day:

Under the Bombay Reorganisation Act of 1960, the Bombay State was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra. Marathi, Kuchi, Gujarati, and Konkani were the four main languages spoken in the state of Bombay. After the bifurcation, the Marathi and Konkani-speaking population became a part of the state of Maharashtra while the Kutchi and Gujarati-speaking population joined the state of Gujarat.

Maharashtra Day:

Maharashtra Day or Maharashtra Diwas is observed to commemorate the formation of the state. The movement for a separate state began as early as 1940s when there was a demand for a separate state for Marathi-speaking people. Maharashtra was a part of the Bombay Presidency under British rule but it was retained as a province of India after independence in 1947.

For the statehood movement, the Samyukta Mahasabha Organisation was established in 1956. The organisation achieved its goal on 1 May 1960. In the demand for a separate statehood movement, over 100 people lost their lives. Later, the memorial in south Mumbai was set up to honour 106 martyrs of the movement.

Gujarat Day:

Gujarat Day of Gujarat Sthapana Diwas was founded in 1960. The first idea of a separate state of Gujarat originated in 1928, in a magazine called Kumar. K M Munshi, writer and freedom fighter originally proposed a concept called Mahagujarat.

Political Leaders On Maharashtra Day And Gujarat Day:

On the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the state's formation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid tributes to martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Shinde visited the martyrs' memorial at Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai and offered floral tributes.

"Best wishes on Maharashtra Day. The state is blessed with a great culture and hardworking people who have enriched national progress across different sectors. I pray for the continued progress of Maharashtra in the years to come," PM Modi wrote in a Tweet.

"Greetings on Gujarat Sthapana Diwas. Gujarat has made a mark due to its all-around progress as well as its unique culture. I pray that the state continues to scale new heights of development in the times ahead," PM Modi said in another Tweet.

President Droupadi Murmu said Maharashtra is a land of saints, heroes, artists and personalities who left an indelible mark of their talent and contribution in many other fields.

"My heartiest wishes to all the countrymen especially the people of Maharashtra on the occasion of the foundation day of Maharashtra state. This is a land of saints, heroes, artists and personalities who left an indelible mark of their talent and contribution in many other fields. It is the birthplace and work ground of unique personalities like Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. Wishing the people of Maharashtra a bright future along with the steady progress of the state," she said in Tweet.