Maharashtra 65th Foundation Day | 02 May 2025

Why in News? 

Maharashtra celebrated its 65th Foundation Day on 1st May 2025 with grand events across the State, showcasing its rich cultural, historical, and social legacy. 

 Key Points 

• Historical Significance of Maharashtra Day: 
  • Pre- Independence: 
    • Before independence, present-day Maharashtra and Gujarat were part of the Bombay Presidency—a large British administrative region with diverse linguistic and cultural communities. 
  • Post-Independence:  
    • After India gained independence in 1947, the Bombay Presidency was reorganized into Bombay State. 
    • The new state included both Marathi and Gujarati-speaking populations, leading to rising linguistic tensions over time. 
    • Marathi-speaking citizens launched the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, demanding a separate state for Marathi speakers. 
    • The Gujarati-speaking community began advocating for the formation of a separate state of Gujarat. 
  • Fazal Ali Commission:  
    • In 1953, the Central Government appointed the Fazal Ali Commission to examine state boundaries and recommend reorganization. 
    • Based on the Commission’s report, the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 was enacted. 
    • However, Bombay State remained undivided, leading to further discontent as it was not reorganized on a linguistic basis. 
    • The United Maharashtra Movement (Samyukta Maharashtra Andolan) gained widespread support and witnessed several instances of protest and martyrdom. 
  • Formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat: 
    • Responding to mass movements, the Central Government passed the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960. 
    • On 1 May 1960, Bombay State was officially divided into two separate states: 
      • Maharashtra for Marathi and Konkani-speaking people. 
      • Gujarat for Gujarati and Kutchi-speaking communities. 
  • Significance of the Reorganisation: 
    • The formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat provided constitutional recognition to linguistic identity in India. 
    • It set a precedent for future state formations based on language and cultural cohesion. 
• State-Level Celebrations: 
  • The state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid homage to martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement at Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai. 
    • He reiterated the State’s vision of becoming a trillion-dollar economy, drawing inspiration from figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. 
  • CM announced a new 100-day development initiative aimed at accelerating infrastructure growth and strengthening the State’s economy. 
  • He also announced a Cabinet-approved policy to develop Maharashtra’s shipbuilding, shipbreaking, and ship repair sectors. 
    • The policy aims to build a robust industrial ecosystem, boost economic growth, and generate substantial employment. 
  • In Mumbai, Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and former Governor Ramesh Bais participated in ceremonial events, paying tributes to Maharashtra’s historical icons including Shivaji Maharaj, B.G. Tilak, V.D. Savarkar, Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, and Dr. Ambedkar.