Why Do We Celebrate Maharashtra Day On May 1? Know History And Significance
NDTV
The creation of Maharashtra was not merely a bureaucratic decision; it was a triumph of the aspirations and struggles of the Marathi-speaking people.
Maharashtra Day, celebrated on May 1 each year, holds a special place in the hearts of Maharashtrians as it marks the formation of the western Indian state. Maharashtra came into being on May 1, 1960, after the Bombay Reorganisation Act came into effect on the linguistic lines. The act created two new states out of the erstwhile Bombay State - Maharashtra, for the Marathi-speaking people, and Gujarat, for those whose mother tongue is Gujarati.
Before 1960, Maharashtra was part of the larger Bombay State, which included present-day Maharashtra, Gujarat and parts of Madhya Pradesh. And people spoke different languages like Marathi, Gujarati, Kutchi and Konkani. However, recognising the linguistic and cultural differences between regions, the States Reorganization Commission recommended the formation of states based on language. As a result, Maharashtra, predominantly Marathi-speaking, was established as a separate state, with Mumbai (then Bombay) as its capital.
The creation of Maharashtra was not merely a bureaucratic decision; it was a triumph of the aspirations and struggles of the Marathi-speaking people who fought tirelessly for their linguistic identity and cultural autonomy. The Samyukta Maharashtra movement, characterised by widespread protests, rallies and demonstrations played a crucial role in shaping the state's destiny.
