Rajendra Patil Writes Blood Letter to PM Demanding Navi Mumbai Airport Naming

Shetkari Kamgar Paksha leader Rajendra Patil wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi using his own blood on June 24 to demand that the Navi Mumbai International Airport in the Panvel-Navi Mumbai region be named after the late farmer leader D. B. Patil. The protest was aimed at drawing the Central government's attention to the unresolved naming of the airport.

The symbolic gesture was undertaken on June 24 to coincide with the birth anniversary of D. B. Patil. By writing the letter in blood, Rajendra Patil, who is a leader of the Peasants and Workers Party, sought to highlight the long-standing demands of local residents and project-affected families.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport was constructed in the Panvel-Navi Mumbai region and officially commenced its operations a few months ago. Despite the start of operations, the Central government has not yet announced an official name for the airport.

Local residents and families affected by the airport project have consistently demanded that the facility be named in honor of D. B. Patil. The late leader is highly regarded as a prominent representative of farmers and landowners across the region.

For several years, this naming demand has been supported through various public demonstrations, including protests, rallies, and hunger strikes. The state government has previously assured the local protesters that the final decision on the naming rests entirely with the Central government. However, the Centre has not yet announced any final decision on the matter.

Rajendra Patil stated that he has repeatedly urged the government to honor D. B. Patil's significant contributions to the region by naming the airport after him. Through his blood-written letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi, the leader appealed to the Centre to take an early decision and finally fulfill the long-pending demand of the local communities and project-affected residents.