‘Be like Warkaris, don’t use offensive words against each other’: Devendra Fadnavis calls for mutual respect between communities

The Warkaris are devotees of Lord Vitthal, the presiding deity of Pandharpur. They don’t believe in discrimination based on caste, creed, language or religion.

On the Maratha reservation issue, Fadnavis said the government is actively working on fulfilling the promises made. Admitting that each community has its own issues, Fadnavis said, “It must be ensured there is no offensive language used against each other.”

Although he did not name any individual or community leader, Fadnavis seemingly referred to the differences between the Marathas and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the wake of the Maratha reservation protests.

Earlier, Sakal Maratha Samaj had urged the temple trust not to allow Fadnavis to worship. But it withdrew its decision Tuesday after meeting with local leaders. On Thursday, a Maratha delegation also participated in the pooja at Pandharpur.

After the worship, Fadnavis, accompanied by his wife Amruta, laid the foundation stone for the first phase of the temple corridor project at Rs 74 crore.

The deputy chief minister said, “I offered prayers for the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. Especially, for the wellbeing and happiness of farmers who have been subjected to challenges thrown by climatic challenges.”

Meanwhile, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil said, “Fadnavis must first tell his people to shun offensive language. If they behave properly, we will also stop our people.”