The Shiv Sena women’s wing on Sunday announced that maha aarti and special prayers will be organised on February 9 at major temples across Maharashtra for the good health and long life of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on his birthday on February 9.
Following the untimely demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra continues to mourn the loss. In view of the prevailing grief, Shiv Sena chief leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed that no celebrations or public events be organised on the occasion of his birthday.
In line with this appeal, no birthday-related programmes will be held across the state. Shinde has also stated that he will not celebrate his birthday this year.
Against this backdrop, the Shiv Sena women’s wing has decided to avoid any celebratory events and instead organise maha aarti and prayers at temples across the state for the well-being of Eknath Shinde, who is often referred to as the ‘beloved brother of the state’s beloved sisters’, according to an official statement.
Local office-bearers and women workers of the Shiv Sena women’s wing will participate in the prayer gatherings, according to a statement issued by the organisation, it said.
Shinde cancels his birthday celebrations
Eknath Shinde had earlier stated that he has decided not to celebrate his birthday on February 9 as a mark of tribute to the late NCP chief Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash, an official release said on Friday.
In a statement issued by his office, Shinde said Maharashtra is still grieving and has not yet recovered from the shock of Ajit Pawar’s untimely death.
Shinde also posted on his X handle stating that he will not celebrate his birthday this year.
He said that Ajit Pawar’s passing was a personal loss, as he had lost not just a political colleague but also a close friend.
Shinde appealed to his supporters, party workers and well-wishers to refrain from organising any celebrations on his birthday.
He also urged them not to bring bouquets, flowers or gifts, and requested that no hoardings or banners be put up to greet him.
राज्याचे उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार यांच्या दुर्दैवी अपघाती निधनामुळे साऱ्या महाराष्ट्रावर दु:खाचा डोंगर कोसळला आहे. त्यामुळे यंदा ९ फेब्रुवारी रोजी मी वाढदिवस साजरा करणार नाही. या दिवशी कार्यकर्ते, पक्षनेते, पदाधिकारी आणि नागरिकांनी पुष्पगुच्छ, भेटी आणू नयेत, तसेच…
— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) February 6, 2026
“We share the grief of the Pawar family,” Shinde said.
Ajit Pawar, who was serving as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, died along with four others when their aircraft crashed at Baramati in Pune district on January 28.
