Last Updated on 29/07/2024 by wccexam Desk
Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar Versus Amit Shah: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar has expressed deep concern over the possibility of Manipur-like unrest in Maharashtra and said that social unity is necessary for the development of the country. However, he did not explain why he thinks so. Addressing a social unity conference in Navi Mumbai, Pawar also criticized the central government’s way of dealing with the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
More than 200 people have died so far
More than 200 people have been killed in the ethnic clashes in Manipur since May last year. Pawar did not give a reason for thinking so. However, his remarks came days after he was criticised by Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the “discord” between communities over the Maratha-OBC reservation row. Shah had termed Pawar a “corruption kingpin”.
‘Concern over such incident in Maharashtra has increased’
Sharad Pawar said, “The Prime Minister never felt the need to visit Manipur and console the people in the wake of social unrest in the northeastern state. Similar incidents have happened in neighbouring states, especially in Karnataka.” He said, “In recent days, there is concern in the state (Maharashtra) that such an incident may happen.” The former Union minister also claimed that an “atmosphere of concern” prevails in various regions of India. He said, “In our state also the situation is bent in this direction (social concern). The government has the full responsibility to create unity in the society and it is not doing so. Everyone should come together to prevent social unity from being broken.”
Tension is growing in Maharashtra between the Maratha community and the backward classes demanding reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Emphasising on social unity for the development and strengthening of the economy, Pawar said that the current situation of tension and division is worrying.
Manipur was mentioned repeatedly in the speech
Sharad Pawar repeatedly mentioned Manipur in his speech. Pawar said, ‘Social unity is necessary for the development of our country and strengthening the economy. The current situation of tension and division is worrying. The growing differences in the country require unity beyond caste, religion and language. It is the responsibility of the government to promote social unity.’ He said that unfortunately the government has failed to take effective steps to resolve these issues.
‘People of Maharashtra are sensible, they will not create riots’
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday criticised Pawar and termed his remarks as inappropriate.
Bawankule said that he (Pawar) used such language that can incite riots. He said that the people of Maharashtra are sensible and will not riot, some people are trying to create a rift between communities and start agitation.
Manipur has witnessed large-scale violence between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribals since May last year. Pawar also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he has not yet visited the violence-hit northeastern state. He claimed that there is a clear lack of efforts on the part of the Prime Minister to alleviate the suffering of the affected people.