After spiritual leader ‘threatens’ Thorat with Godse taunt Congress asks CM to provide protection to party leader

While Thorat’s supporters alleged that Bhandare not only made political statements but also targeted the Muslim community, the kirtankar’s supporters alleged that the Congress leader’s associates attacked him.

In a video that went viral, Bhandare is seen threatening Thorat, and allegedly said “they will have to become Nathuram Godse”.

“Balasaheb Thorat has been opposing the dangerous tendencies prevalent in society. And that is why he has been threatened. We want to ask Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis whether the fear of police in Maharashtra exists or not,” said Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar.

Atul Londhe, chief spokesperson of Maharashtra Congress, said, “Before Godse fired at Mahatma Gandhi, the RSS had polluted the atmosphere in the country through its provocative statements. Similarly, such statements will go a long way in disturbing the atmosphere in Maharashtra.”

Londhe said the Congress urged Fadnavis to arrest the spiritual leader and provide protection to Thorat. “It is the responsibility of the state government to provide protection to Balasaheb Thorat,” he said.

NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil said, “We will become Godse? What does this mean? This kind of threat to a senior Congress leader is highly condemnable. The Warkari community is the pride of Maharashtra. The community believes in the philosophy of working for the welfare of the people.”

“However, some anti-social elements are trying to parade themselves as Warkaris for political reasons. The Warkari community should remain alert about such tendencies. At the same time, strict action should be taken against such tendencies,” Patil added.

AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said Maharashtra has been in the grip of “goonda elements for the past few years”.

“They are getting protection from the government. Some have no shame in taking the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sant Tukaram and at the same time espousing their Godse stand. On the eve of local self-government body polls, a deliberate attempt is being made to spread tension in society. The Mahayuti government should be shown its place,” said Kirdat.

After the discourse, Bhandare was allegedly manhandled, and his vehicle damaged by the crowd. A police complaint was lodged in this connection.

To protest the incident, the BJP and the Shiv Sena took out a protest rally Monday.
At a press conference in Sangamner, Thorat said the veil of the kirtankar needed to be lifted. He also criticised Shiv Sena MLA Amol Khatal.

“Show me at least one video where the ‘kirtankar’ was attacked. There were several people present at the spot. Some of them must have shot the video. If anyone brings the video forward, I will take action against my supporter,” Thorat said.

“Sant Tukaram had laid certain guideliness for ‘kirtans’. They have changed over a period of time… However, the kirtankars should remember that they belong to the Warkari community and therefore should not stray on to the political path. They should not speak about local politics. They should stick to what is Constitutionally right and not try to hurt it. The Constitution of India is born through the Saint tradition. I believe in this theory. ‘Kirtankars’ should follow the Constitution, but sadly they do not seem to be doing so.

“Can anyone who takes the name of Nathuram Godse be called a Warkari? Even the Warkari community held a meeting and decided that there should be no politics in ‘kirtans’. They want to stay away from politics. However, fake ‘kirtankars’ wearing the burqua of ‘kirtans’ are going around.”

NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad in a post on X said, “Maharashtra will never tolerate the language of the Godse mentality. The Sant tradition teaches the religion of humanity, it does not teach us to spread hatred. Balasaheb Thorat is a cultured leader. Even his opponents have respected his work. Threatening him is like a challenge to the cultured political tradition of Maharashtra. We condemn the Godse mentality and stand strongly behind Balasaheb Thorat.”