Separate Vidarbha by 2027: Roadmap planned by VRAS

Nagpur: Intensifying its campaign for a separate Vidarbha state by 2027, the Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) on Wednesday unveiled an extensive agitation roadmap during its quarterly national meeting in Nagpur. The organisation announced a series of protests and public outreach initiatives aimed at reigniting the long-standing statehood movement across the region.Among the key decisions taken was the announcement of a Kranti Din Long March on August 9, which will begin from Deekshabhoomi and culminate at Samvidhan Chowk, followed by a public rally. The march is expected to serve as a major mobilisation effort for supporters of separate statehood.Another protest will be held between September 24 and 28, during which copies of the Nagpur Pact will be symbolically burnt across districts and talukas in Vidarbha. VRAS leaders said the move is intended to protest what they described as the continued neglect of Vidarbha and the alleged failure to honour assurances made under the pact.The state-level core committee meeting of VRAS was held at MLA Hostel in Nagpur, under the chairmanship of former MLA Wamanrao Chatap. District presidents, coordinators, and senior office-bearers attended the session. Also present was Metta Ramarao, national vice-president of the Federation for Creation of New States (Navrajya Nirman Mahasangh).Apart from protests, the organisation has planned a public outreach drive through Vidarbha Nirman Jansankalp Melavas aimed at taking the movement to grassroots levels. One such event is proposed at Sindkhed Raja in Buldhana district between July 15 and 20, while another major programme will be held on October 2 at Sewagram in Wardha district on Gandhi Jayanti.During discussions, members cited a recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report claiming Nagpur had ranked among cities with high crime rates. Based on this, leaders passed a resolution demanding immediate creation of separate Vidarbha, arguing regional concerns and developmental aspirations continued to remain neglected under administrative framework.