VRAS to intensify Vidarbha statehood demand, hoist black flag at Samvidhan Sq

Nagpur: The Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) has announced that May 1 will be observed as ‘Black Day' in Nagpur and other districts, marking a renewed push for a separate Vidarbha state even as Maharashtra celebrates its foundation day. Through coordinated protests and symbolic demonstrations, the outfit aims to draw attention to what it describes as long-standing regional neglect and press for immediate action on statehood. A black flag will be hoisted at Samvidhan Square at 7am, where activists will gather wearing black armbands as a symbol of protest. The Nagpur event will anchor similar demonstrations planned across Vidarbha, including Chandrapur and Rajura, where protests are scheduled later in the day. "The organisation has planned the agitation as part of its larger "Mission 2027," aimed at achieving statehood under Article 3 of the Constitution," said VRAS leader Mukesh Masurkar.VRAS cited multiple concerns, including irrigation backlog, farmer suicides, unemployment, malnutrition and industrial pollution, while alleging that these issues remain inadequately addressed. The leaders also pointed to the state's financial stress, claiming liabilities have outpaced revenue, with contractor dues estimated at over Rs96,000 crore.