3 min readMumbaiJun 14, 2023 01:30 PM IST
First published on: Jun 7, 2023 at 12:42 PM IST
Confronting the BJP-Shiv Sena government over recent incidents of violence at various districts in the state, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said that the ruling party “encourages” communal violence.
Addressing a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Wednesday, Pawar said, “Incidents of communal clashes in Ahmednagar and Kolhapur have taken place over some mobile messages. What is the meaning of hitting the streets over such messages? Today’s ruling party encourages such things. Rulers should ensure peace and law and order. But if rulers start hitting the street and create enmity among two communities, that is not a good thing for the state.”
Pawar said that it was good that the incidents were limited to certain parts of the state. “This is being planned. I saw it on TV that someone showed Aurangzeb’s photo in Aurangabad, then what is the meaning of a communal clash over this in Pune,” he asked.
“Churches were attacked in Odisha and other states… This is not work of an individual… an ideology works behind this. This ideology is not good for the society,” Pawar said.
On Tuesday, the Sangamner area of Ahmednagar district witnessed communal clashes between two groups after a rally by Sakal Hindu Samaj. In Kolhapur, right-wing Hindu organisations called for a bandh on Wednesday over a alleged objectionable message involving Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Slamming the state government, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole demanded the resignation of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “How did glorifiers of Aurangzeb become active now? Riots are taking place in the state every day. What are the chief minister and home minister doing? The situation in the state is such that there is no longer rule of law in the state… it is ruled by criminals and miscreants,” said Patole.
Patole said that on May 19, a delegation of the Congress party met the Director General of Police of the state and demanded strict steps to maintain law and order and ensure safety of women. “Unfortunately, no action is being taken… Fadnavis should be stripped of Home portfolio immediately and the state should be given an experienced, competent and full-time home minister,” he said.
Former CM Prithviraj Chavan accused the BJP of instigating riots and communal violence in the state and said that such instances will only grow as elections approach.
Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said that the mastermind behind such instances need to be brought to the fore. “If given freedom, everything can be probed and the real culprit can be jailed. But does this government want to arrest the masterminds behind the violence?” asked Pawar.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar (File) 
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