Vidarbha Statehood Movement Gains Momentum with 2027 Deadline Announcement
The long-standing demand for a separate Vidarbha state has entered a decisive new phase, with the Vidarbha Rajya Aandolan Samiti (VRAS) announcing a major mobilization effort. The organization has launched the 'Vidarbha Nirman Jan Sankalp March' in Nagpur on February 22, setting 2027 as the firm deadline to achieve statehood for the region.
Accusations of Neglect and Call for Unity
Announcing the program, VRAS president and former MLA Wamanrao Chatap accused both the Maharashtra state government and the Union government of repeatedly neglecting Vidarbha's development needs. He stated that the 'Sankalp March' would serve as a large-scale public mobilization to unite people across all districts around the core demand for a separate state.
"Vidarbha has waited long enough. If Telangana could be granted statehood, there is no constitutional, economic, or administrative justification to deny Vidarbha the same right," Chatap asserted. He emphasized that the movement would now be pursued with greater clarity, discipline, and democratic pressure.
Economic and Administrative Justifications
Referring to Maharashtra's rising debt and fiscal stress, Chatap argued that the state lacks the capacity to address Vidarbha's long-pending development backlog. This includes critical irrigation commitments under the Nagpur Pact that have remained unfulfilled for decades.
"Even if Vidarbha remains part of Maharashtra for another hundred years, these issues will not be resolved. A separate state is the only viable solution," he declared, highlighting what he described as systemic neglect of the region's infrastructure and economic needs.
The Road to 2027: Intensified Outreach Campaign
Chatap explained that the Vidarbha Nirman Jan Sankalp March would mark the beginning of an intensified outreach campaign aimed at taking the statehood demand to every village and town in the region. He appealed to citizens across Vidarbha to participate in large numbers, describing the Nagpur mobilization as a crucial milestone on the road to achieving statehood by 2027.
March Details and Route
The February 22 march will follow a specific route through Nagpur:
- Begin from Vidarbha Chandika Temple at Shahid Chowk, Itwari
- Pass through key areas of the city
- Culminate at Ruikar Chowk
- A public rally will be held later at Chitanis Park at 2 pm
This organized demonstration represents the latest escalation in a movement that has sought separate statehood for Vidarbha for decades, with activists arguing that the region's distinct cultural identity and economic needs warrant independent administrative status.
