Mumbai, June 23 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Spokesperson Anand Paranjpe strongly condemned Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for his "provocative remarks" and demanded that the government take immediate and strict action against him.
“Abu Azmi has become a toxic element in Maharashtra, repeatedly making inflammatory statements to disrupt communal harmony. The government must act decisively against him,” Paranjpe said, addressing the media.
Speaking on the sanctity of Maharashtra’s cultural identity, Paranjpe reminded Azmi of the 800-year-old tradition of the Ashadhi Wari – a spiritual, religious, and cultural pilgrimage of the state. He emphasised how the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram start from Alandi and Dehu, and lakhs of Warkaris walk to Pandharpur to seek Lord Vitthal’s darshan. Many Muslim brothers also participate in this Wari and offer their services, he pointed out.
Responding to a media query, Paranjpe said, “Azmi repeatedly uses Hindu-Muslim politics to divide people. His words incite tension, and such behavior should not be tolerated.”
Talking about Marathi, Paranjpe asserted that Marathi is the sole language and the soul of Maharashtra, and the Mahayuti government will never make any decision that harms its status.
He informed that a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is being held tonight regarding the National Education Policy. As per the circular issued by School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Marathi will be a mandatory language from Class 1 to 5 in all schools across Maharashtra.
A second or third language (such as Hindi or any Indian language) may be chosen by 20 or more students, and the school will be responsible for hiring an appropriate teacher.
Paranjpe also reminded that Marathi has been granted Classical Language status by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the state government remains sensitive and committed to the language’s importance.
Replying to a question, Anand Paranjpe warned that Aurangzeb glorification will never be tolerated in Maharashtra. “Maharashtra will never forget the brutal torture and murder of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj by Aurangzeb. There is no space for such 'Aurangya' mindset in this land,” he said.
Aurangzeb was a cruel ruler who imprisoned his own father for eight years and murdered his brothers for the throne, Paranjpe said. He reminded people of Aurangzeb’s relentless attacks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and firmly stated that those glorifying such a tyrant should learn from history, not insult it.
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