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Journalism of Courage
A day after Maharashtra’s cabinet minister Nitesh Rane stated that Muslims were never the part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army, his cabinet colleague and state’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar termed it misleading and asked political leaders to not cause communal rift in Maharashtra.
Speaking to reporters after paying tributes at the memorial of first chief minister of the state, Yashwantrao Chavan, on his birth anniversary, at Karad in Satara district on Wednesday, Pawar said, “Some individuals, from both sides of the political divide, sometimes make statements that are detrimental to Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage. In the past, leaders in the state have always strived to maintain communal harmony, ensuring that different communities coexist peacefully.”
“Political leaders, whether in the government or Opposition, must exercise caution while making statements, to ensure that communal discord is not created. Maharashtra is home to a large number of patriotic Muslims. There is evidence that during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s reign, several Muslims played a key role, including that of overseeing his ammunition department,” Pawar added.
“I don’t understand the purpose behind such misleading statements. Shivaji Maharaj never discriminated against any one on the basis of caste or creed,” he added.
Speaking at a public rally on Tuesday, Rane said that the fight of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for Swarajya was against Islam. “There were no Muslims in the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… The fight was between Hindu and Muslim and in this battle our king did not let Hindu religion bow against Islam,” Rane said.
Opposition NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, too, slammed Rane listing out the number of Muslim lieutenants in the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “A little intelligence is required when one wants to distort the history. Polluting Maharashtra’s environment for the sake of political gains is unnecessary,” said Awhad.
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