Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Devednra Fadnavis on Saturday said that NCP leader Jitendra Awhad’s statement regarding Ramnavami and Hanuman jayantis amounts to insult of Hindus.“Awhad’s statement is highly objectionable. Festivals are celebrated to express faith. People have tremendous faith in Lord Rama and Hanuman. This faith is expressed by celebrating Ramnavami and Hanuman Jayanti peacefully. Hence to say that these festivals are celebrated only to incite riots is very insulting. It is a completely wrong statement,” Fadnavis said when asked about his reaction to Awhad’s statement.
Awhad, while speaking at the party’s meet at Ghatkopar on Friday, said, “A riot took place in Aurangabad. I mean (on) Ram Navami and what is that festival of Maruti? Haan… Hanuman Jayanti. Are these two festivals made for riots only? The atmosphere in the cities deteriorated during these festivals like never before. According to my understanding of Mumbai City, and the people living in Mumbai and its surroundings, they knew that there is some plan behind all this. I otherwise don’t dare to say anything in front of Saheb (Sharad Pawar). But it is my firm opinion that the upcoming year is a year of communal riots.”
Fadnavis: Not right to indulge in sensationalism every time
Fadnavis also raised questions on Awhad predicting the possibility of riots. “How does one interpret the statement that there would be riots in Maharashtra? Does this mean that you’ve decided that there would be riots? We too are puzzled whether you have planned some? The leaders should behave responsibly over such sensitive issues,” Fadnavis said while interacting with reporters at Nagpur. He also advised Awhad that it is not right to indulge in sensationalism every time.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morch (BJYM) president Tejindar Singh Tiwana has lodged a complaint against Awhad at Andheri (E) MIDC police station. “Awhad is speaking Pakistan’s language. Does he want Hindus to take out processions to celebrate Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti in Pakistan if he is objecting to them here in India,” Singh asked.Awhad, however, has defended his statement. “People like me have been working tirelessly to keep the society free of any hatred for the past 40 years. We have seen several riots and have also calmed some. I’m a person who always tries to bring society together. Every statement of mine is made after due consideration. There is nothing wrong in whatever I’ve said,” he stated.
Indications are that an FIR maye be registered against Awhad.
