Amid the ongoing tension in Maharashtra over statements of ruling BJP leaders and ministers, along with right wing Hindu organisations, over calls to raze the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and subsequent riots in Nagpur, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday assured Muslim community that those spreading communal hatred will not be spared.
“Your brother Ajit Pawar is with you. If anyone dares to intimidate our Muslim brothers and sisters or tries to spread communal hatred, they will not be spared,” said Pawar at an iftar party hosted by the NCP. NCP MP Praful Patel, state unit president and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare were also present at the event.
Pawar focused on the importance and power of unity and social harmony. He said Ramadan Eid is not just a festival for Muslims but of humanity.
“Festivals such as Holi, Gudi Padwa, and Eid promote togetherness and should be celebrated collectively. Many great leaders such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr B R Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and others have shown the path of social progress by taking along all religions and castes. We have to carry this legacy forward,” said the NCP chief.
“India is a symbol of unity and diversity. We have just celebrated Holi, and now Gudi Padwa and Eid are also coming. These festivals teach us to live together. Our real strength lies in unity,” Pawar said.
From his Maharashtra Cabinet colleague and BJP leader Nitesh Rane to various Hindutva outfits, several hate speeches have been made using the pretext of Aurangzeb tomb in Chhatrapati Samabhajinagar.