On April 21, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad made a controversial statement, claiming that festivals like Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti are just meant for rioting.
He made this statement while speaking at a public gathering. The speech’s video clip quickly went viral on social media. When Awhad made these remarks, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was also present on the stage.
Jitendra Awhad said, “A riot took place in Aurangabad. I mean 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, the people of Mumbai and the surrounding area knew that there is some plan behind this all. 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”.
It is to be noted that, Jitendra Awhad is infamous for disparaging Hindu customs and icons. He is an MLA from Kalwa-Mumbra constituency, Thane, a Muslim-dominated area. Awhad also addressed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as ‘Aurangabad’ in his speech.
He also served as Housing Development Minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi Government.
This year’s Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti saw major rioting nationwide as Islamists flung stones at Hindu procession.
Violence erupted in various parts of the country during the Ram Navami procession on March 30. There were reports of stone-throwing and violence in several places around the country.
In these violent incidents, one person was killed in West Bengal and another in Maharashtra.
A Ram Navami procession near Panjrigar mohalla in Vadodara, Gujarat was also attacked by Islamists.
According to the reports, around 200-500 Muslims arrived on the street during the procession and began pelting stones at the procession and the Hindu participants. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s local office bearer Vishnubhai Prajapati stated that some vehicles including big cars were also damaged.
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