'Insult To Devotees Of Lord Ram': Fadnavis Slams NCP Leader Over Ram Navami Violence Remarks

Devendra Fadnavis stated on Saturday that comments made by NCP leader Jitendra Awhad concerning the Ram Navami violence are offensive to devotees of Lord Ram.

File photo of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis

Source : Getty

In response to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad's comments regarding the Ram Navami violence, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (April 22) said that such comments are offensive to Lord Ram devotees. In order to address his concerns, Fadnavis asked, "What do they mean by riots? Have they decided that riots will occur?" Additionally, he advised sensitivity when making comments in such circumstances, news agency ANI reported. 

Such remarks are an insult to devotees of Lord Ram. What do they mean by riots, have they decided that riots will take place? One should be sensitive while giving remarks in such a situation: Maharashtra Dy CM Fadnavis on NCP leader Jitendra Awhad's remarks on Ram Navami violence pic.twitter.com/lVyjR79qtG

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2023

Are Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti Festivals Of Riots?: Jitendra Awhad

NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said that he at times believes that holidays like Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti are only intended to spark riots. While speaking at an NCP public rally, he said this. The speech's clip went viral. Awhad made these comments while NCP leader Sharad Pawar was also present on stage.

It seems that the festivals of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti are for riots only. The atmosphere in the cities has deteriorated due to riots. I think the coming years will be the years of religious riots: NCP leader Jitendra Awhad in Mumbai today pic.twitter.com/JirBUGvMZ5

— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023

"A riot broke out in Aurangabad," according to Jitendra Awhad. "What is that Maruti festival, specifically Ram Navami? Hanuman Jayanti... Are only riots intended for these two festivals? During these festivals, the urban environment deteriorated to an unprecedented degree. I believe that Mumbai residents were aware that there was a larger plan behind everything going on, based on what I know about Mumbai City and the locals who reside there as well as the surrounding areas. Otherwise, I would be afraid to speak in front of Saheb (Sharad Pawar). But I firmly believe that riots will break out within communities in the coming year," he said.

Violence broke out during Ram Navami processions on March 30 in a number of locations across the nation. Numerous American cities reported to have experienced violence and stone-throwing. In these violent incidents, one person died in Maharashtra and one in West Bengal. Additionally, there have been reports of stones being thrown during the Ram Navami Shobha Yatra in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.