Correct Answer : Option (C) - May 1st
Maharashtra Day, also known as Maharashtra Divas, is celebrated every year on May 1st to commemorate the formation of the state in 1960. Maharashtra was carved out of the Bombay Presidency and declared a separate state on this historic day. Present-day Gujarat constitutes the other part of the former Bombay state. The division was a result of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, which aimed to reorganize states based on linguistic boundaries, following massive protests for linguistic states.
Maharashtra Diwas 2024 – Date :
Maharashtra Day, also known as
Maharashtra Diwas, is celebrated annually on
May 1st, marking the formation of the state of
Maharashtra in 1960. This date holds immense importance for the Marathi people, serving as a reminder of their unity, resilience, and cultural heritage.
Maharashtra Foundation Day 2024 – History :
May 1st carries a dual significance as it is also celebrated as International Labour Day worldwide and
Gujarat Day in India. The historical backdrop of Maharashtra’s formation is rooted in the linguistic reorganization of states following India’s independence.
Bombay, comprising
Marathi, Gujarati, Konkani, and Kutchi speakers, faced challenges due to linguistic disparities, leading to agitation for statehood based on linguistic lines.
The
State Recognition Act of 1956 acknowledged Bombay as a multilingual state. However, the linguistic diversity caused disturbances and complexities. Movements like the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement and the Mahagujarat Movement emerged, demanding the division of Bombay into separate states for Marathi and Gujarati speakers. These movements culminated in the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat on May 1, 1960.