Raj Thackeray’s Warning In Karjat: ‘Deva’s Stick Makes No Sound, But When It Hits Your Back…’; Slams Amit Shah And Modi Over Tree Felling

KARJAT / MUMBAI:Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday visited Karjat tehsil in Raigad district and addressed a public sabha at Police Ground, launching a sharp attack on the government over tree felling and targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

 Thackeray said, “Deva cha kathi cha aawaj yet nahi, pan jevha paathit basel na tevha…” (God’s stick makes no sound, but when it hits your back, you will know).The remark, aimed at Amit Shah, was seen as a cryptic warning over what he called Delhi’s high-handed approach to Maharashtra’s forests and development.

Karjat Row:

 The visit comes amid massive pushback against the proposed 3,000-MW pumped storage hydroelectric project by Torrent Power in Saidongar, Pali, Kothal-Khalati areas of Karjat. The project requires felling of *32,490 trees* officially, though opposition claims the real number could be 4-5 lakh. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande alleged over 2,075 trees already cut, many 150 years old with Ayurvedic value.

 Raj walked through deforested patches, met tribals and Gram Sabha members, and said, “How can you grant permission for tree felling when Gram Panchayat has not passed any resolution? Where is the land to plant 90,000 trees you promise?”

 He questioned CM Devendra Fadnavis calling it a green project: “What kind of development is this when medicinal trees are being felled? You say it’s green project but you are cutting trees. Are you going to plant digital trees?”

Political Heat:

 The project, valued at Rs 13,500-30,000 crore, is 16 km from Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Govt says 233 hectares needed, Torrent already handed over 253 hectares to Forest Dept, and 90,000 trees (60k by company + 30k by forest dept) will be planted as compensatory afforestation. It will save 4.6 million tonnes coal and 19.7 billion litres water annually.

 However, after Aaditya Thackeray’s visit Monday calling it illegal and “pushing Maharashtra to desert,” and Raj’s announcement, the Maharashtra govt halted tree cutting on Monday. PM Modi was earlier scheduled to lay the foundation stone on Nov 3, now under cloud.

Adani Group clarified it has no link to the project after viral videos linked it.

 Raj Thackeray has signaled intensified agitation with Karjat Taluka Paryavaran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, while opposition parties including Sena (UBT), NCP(SP), Congress have united against the project.