Maratha Kranti Morcha demands apology from CM

Pune: Maratha Kranti Morcha has demanded an apology from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claiming that he accused the Maratha community of planning violence in the holy town of Pandharpur.

On Monday, in a press conference, Pravin Gaikwad, Coordinator of Maratha Kranti Morcha, said, “The Chief Minister has used objectionable language against the Maratha community. He has accused that members from the community were planning violence to disrupt his visit to Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. With such baseless allegations, the Chief Minister has insulted the entire Maratha community and he should apologise for his statements.” 

As a ritual, the Chief Minister was to visit Pandharpur to perform a puja in the Vitthal Temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi on Monday. However, on the Maratha community reservation issue, some members from the community threatened that they would not allow the Chief Minister to perform prayers. Fadnavis on Sunday cancelled his visit to Pandharpur temple.

Gaikwad said, “He is claiming that he got a report that Maratha community was involved in conspiracy against the Warkaris. If he has got the report, he should make it public and let the truth be uncovered.” 

Gaikwad also alleged that Fadnavis cancelled his visit to Pandharpur due to personal reasons. “On Sunday, it was his birthday. Apart from that, BJP president Amit Shah was also in Mumbai. Due to these reasons, he cancelled his visit. However, he gave the reason of conspiracy, which is very unfortunate,” Gaikwad said.

In order to support his claim that the Maratha community has never resorted to violence for their demand, he said, “The community has carried out 58 rallies across the State and not a single rally witnessed any violence. The Chief Minister should have been careful while making such statements,” Gaikwad added.