Former Maharashtra Chief Minister, Sharad Pawar stated that currently Maharashtra is facing its worst affairs amid the Hanuman Chalisa row spread across the nation.
Following the threat of Maharashtra MP Navneet Rana and her husband, MLA Ravi Rana, the communal turmoil in the state has reached another level. The couple is alleged of “attacks upon the religion, race, and place of birth, residence, language etc. of any particular group or class or upon the founders and prophets of a religion.”
The Maharashtra police arrested the couple after they threatened to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside CM’s residence. However, later they called off the protest following PM’s expected visit to Mumbai
NCP chief and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar on the row
The NCP chief Sharad Pawar expresses his deep sadness over the dispute. He says that Maharashtra is not the same like it was earlier and has lost its traditions. He called the current state of Maharashtra “the worst phase”.
When asked to comment on the Hanuman Chalisa row in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar states, “Now we are experiencing the worst phase; the institutional post of Chief Minister is attacked with derogative remarks.” Furthermore, he added, “Every individual has some emotional attachment to his religion that should be nurtured in one’s heart and home. If someone starts glossing over his/her religious opinions in public, with the intention of creating a rift among different communities to create animosity among groups, it certainly brings adverse effects in society. Such things never happened in Maharashtra in the past.”
On reciting Hanuman Chalisa over loudspeakers, outside someone else’s residence, Sharad Pawar says that this is utterly disappointing. He said, “This cannot be accepted, one needs to follow the religious practices at your own residence but you cannot carry out religious practices at someone else’s residence. And if you force your wish to carry out religious practices at my place and if those who respect me immensely clash with you, then the latter cannot be blamed for those clashes.”
NCP chief appeals to the ones igniting the issue
The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar requests the citizens to not ignite communal tensions in the region. He has requested the political parties and activists to not rage war against each other on religious basis. He asked the politicians to put down their differences and work together towards maintaining peace and harmony.
He also stated that continuous personal attacks in Maharashtra are also disturbing and this has shocked him. Pawar said that he is optimistic and they will follow back the positive approach of leaders like former CM Yashwantrao Chauhan.
There is a need to discuss matters regarding Maharashtra’s development amidst political tensions between parties. Pawar stated, “Let me tell you that I have worked for many years in Maharashtra. Balasaheb Thackrey and I had lots of differences. In public, we never minced words but we would make it a point to catch up at his or my residence and discuss the betterment and development of our state.”
Published by: Gargi sharma
Edited by: Aaradhana singh
