Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, expressed on Friday that individuals who seek to intimidate the Muslim community or incite communal strife will face consequences. He made this statement at an Iftar gathering he hosted in Mumbai. Pawar highlighted the significance of unity and social harmony.
“I want to assure you that your brother Ajit Pawar stands with you. Anyone who casts an unfavorable glance at our Muslim brothers and sisters, anyone who tries to instigate conflict between groups and takes the law into their own hands, regardless of who they are, will not be spared or forgiven…,” stated Ajit Pawar.
The leader of the NCP underscored the necessity of communal harmony and solidarity against divisive elements, stating that festivals such as Holi, Gudi Padwa, and Eid foster togetherness and should be celebrated in unison, as unity represents the true strength of the nation.
“Numerous esteemed leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and others have demonstrated the way for social progress by inclusively embracing all religions and castes. We must continue this legacy,” Pawar was quoted by ANI as saying.
“India symbolizes both unity and diversity. We have just celebrated Holi, with Gudi Padwa and Eid on the horizon. These festivals teach us about coexisting. Our true strength lies in our unity,” he remarked.
Pawar’s remarks followed intense political discussions in Maharashtra regarding the violence in Nagpur, which erupted amidst the Mahayuti government’s call to remove Aurangzeb’s grave from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
In response to ongoing criticism from the opposition over the Nagpur violence, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde retaliated against the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, likening himself to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and accusing the opposition of sacrificing principles for power.
Prior to this, on Thursday, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) hosted an Iftar gathering in the national capital, which was attended by leaders from a variety of political parties.
Among the attendees at the Iftar event were Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Other prominent figures, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and SP MP Jaya Bachchan, were also present at the occasion.
(With contributions from various agencies)
