Kolhapur MP Shahu Chhatrapati meets district collector to demand revival of Shahu Mill

Kolhapur: Kolhapur MP Shahu Chhatrapati, along with the Shahu Mill Workers' Union and social activists from the city, met district collector Amol Yedge to demand immediate steps by the state govt for the revival of Shahu Mill. Established by Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj in 1906, the Shahu Mill spread over 27 acres was shut down in 2003. Since then, the demand to build a memorial place of Shahu Maharaj and revive the textile park has been made by the social activists from Kolhapur. Even when the plan to constuct an international memorial in honour of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was approved in 2013 by the then CM Pritviraj Chavan, the actual work remains neglected even after decades.A written statement of demand was handed over to collector Yedge in a meeting held at the office of the district collectorate in the presence of MP Shahu Chhatrapati on Monday. The district collector assured immediate follow-up with the guardian minister and the textiles department.Speaking at the meeting with the district collector, social activist Vijay Devane said, "The ministry of textiles should place a demand for reviving the heritage mill." Advocate Baba Indulkar said, "Shahu Mill was transferred to the textiles department in 1967 and closed in 2003. Out of these 27 acres, 17 acres come under heritage; therefore, the textile mill should be revived on the remaining land and the ideology of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj should be highlighted through a memorial at this place."Ashok Bhandari, explaining the follow-up of the last 40 years, said, "This mill was built so that the people from all castes and religions could get work. The revival of Shahu Mill means turning a new page in history and making a living memorial of Shahu Maharaj."This mill, established by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in Kolhapur during the pre-independence period, was an inspiration for the economic empowerment of all castes and communities. District collector Amol Yedge discussed all these issues in detail and said, "Cases are currently pending in the court . Since this is the site of the textile industries department, I will hold a meeting with the guardian minister soon and follow up with the textile department. This meeting, chaired by MP Shahu Maharaj, gave official support to the agitation."Earlier on Sunday, an All-Party Shahu Mill Revival Committee met MP Shahu Maharaj and requested him to lead this fight. During this meeting, Dilip Desai of Prajasattak Seva Sanstha alleged that a land mafia was eyeing the 27-acre land of Shahu Mill and said that there was a plan to grab most of the heritage lands in Kolhapur. Sambhaji Jagdale suggested that the entire 27-acre land should be used for the mill. MP Shahu Maharaj assured the delegation that he would meet the district collector to decide on the future direction; accordingly, the meeting took place on Monday.