DAHANU / THANE-PALGHAR: Over 3,000 women gathered in Dahanu taluka on September 20 to launch a high-decibel protest organized by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) against the arbitrary exclusion of millions of women from the Maharashtra government’s 'Ladli Behna Scheme'.
The rally marks the kick-off of AIDWA’s statewide campaign against the recent purging of beneficiaries from the cash-transfer program.
Backlash Over Arbitrary Mass Exclusions
Ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra state assembly elections, the BJP-led state government launched the 'Ladli Behna Scheme', distributing ₹1,500 per month to approximately 2.63 crore women across the state—a move widely criticized by opposition groups as an attempt to buy votes ahead of the polls.
Following the election, the state administration initiated a widespread verification drive. By July 2026, the government had arbitrarily struck off nearly 1 crore women from the beneficiary pool under various flimsy pretexts, reducing the total to 1.66 crore. Activists report that even among the remaining beneficiaries, many face severe delays and irregularities in receiving their monthly stipends.
Statewide Campaign Launched
In response to the growing unrest, AIDWA initiated its mass mobilization campaign on September 20. The association has begun collecting signed forms from tens of thousands of excluded women and is organizing public gatherings throughout Maharashtra.
The initial day of the drive saw more than 3,000 affected women gather in Dahanu taluka. Prominent leaders addressed the assembly, including:
- Mariam Dhawale (AIDWA National Vice President)
- Prachi Hatiwlekar (State General Secretary & National Joint Secretary)
- Lahani Dauda (District President & State Vice President)
- Sunita Shingda (District Secretary & Central Executive Committee Member)
Road Ahead: March to Mantralaya
Similar taluka-level demonstrations are slated across Thane-Palghar district through September 27, after which the campaign will expand into every district across Maharashtra.
Amid loud slogans and widespread approval from the crowd at Dahanu, the AIDWA leadership announced its plans to organize a massive Struggle March to Mantralaya in Mumbai, mobilizing thousands of affected women from every corner of the state to demand the immediate restoration of their benefits.
