Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day 2025

Every year 1st May is celebrated as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day.
The 65th foundation day of both these states is being celebrated in the year 2025.
This day not only marks the establishment of these states but also symbolizes the historic achievement of the State Reorganization Movement.

History: Maharashtra and Gujarat State Formation

Before independence, the present Maharashtra and Gujarat regions were part of the Bombay Presidency of British India.
After independence (1947) this presidency was transformed into Bombay State, which included diverse linguistic communities – mainly Marathi and Gujarati speakers.

The demand for state formation on linguistic basis gradually intensified.
The Marathi speaking people formed the "Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti" to demand a separate state, while the Gujarati speaking community also raised their voice for Gujarat.

The Central Government formed the Fazal Ali Commission in 1953 to reorganize the states.
On the basis of this, the State Reorganization Act, 1956 was passed, but Bombay state was not divided on linguistic basis.

After 1956, discontent grew between Marathi and Gujarati groups.
The United Maharashtra Movement gained momentum and people were martyred in it.
Under the influence of the movement, the government decided to divide Bombay state in 1960.

Under the 'Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960',
- On 1 May 1960, Bombay State was divided into two parts:
- Maharashtra (Marathi and Konkani speaking)
Gujarat (Gujarati and Kutchi speaking)
And two new states were formed.
This historic decision gave constitutional shape to linguistic identity in the country.

Constitutional Status:

State creation under Article 3 of the Constitution

Article 3 of the Indian Constitution gives Parliament the power to alter the boundaries of states, change their names or create new states.
The Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 was passed under this article.

Gujarat is a state located in western India.
Its north-western border touches Pakistan.
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are states located to its north and north-east respectively.
Maharashtra is to its south.
The Arabian Sea forms its western-southern border.
Dadar and Nagar Haveli are on its southern border.
Gujarat is the country's major producer of cotton, tobacco and peanuts
Official language: Gujarati
Capital – Gandhinagar
Area - 1,96,024 km
Population (2011) - 6,04,39,692
Districts – 33
Governor - Acharya Devvrat
Chief Minister - Bhupendrabhai Patel
Legislative Assembly - 182 seats
Rajya Sabha - 11 seats
Lok Sabha - 26 seats
Major rivers - Narmada, Tapi, Sabarmati, Mahi
World Heritage Sites - Pavagadh-Champaner, Rani ki Vav
Major festivals - Navratri, Uttarayan (Kite Festival), Diwali, Holi
Famous dances - Garba, Dandiya
Statue of Unity - World's tallest Statue (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), located in Narmada district

Maharashtra is a state located in the western part of India.
It shares its borders with Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka and Goa.
It is the third largest state in terms of area.
Governor - C.P. Radhakrishnan
Chief Minister - Devendra Fadnavis
Deputy Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar
Capital – Mumbai
Official language – Marathi
Districts – 36
Rajya Sabha - 19 seats
Lok Sabha - 48 seats
Legislative Assembly - 288 seats
Area - 307,713 sq km
Population (2011) - 112,374,333
Population of males (2011) - 58,243,056
Population of females (2011) - 54,131,277
Density - 365 per sq km
Literacy rate - 82.34%
Rivers - Godavari, Krishna and Tapi etc.
National parks - Tadoba, Nagzira, Navegaon, Gugamal etc.
Major Industries - Cotton Textiles, Machinery, Chemicals, Transport, Electrical and Metallurgy
Popular Dances - Dhangari, Lavani, Powadas, Tamasha and Koli
Popular Music - Bharud, Bhajan, Kirtan and Tumbdi
Famous Tourist Places - Ajanta and Ellora Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Sites.