Mumbai, Jun 22 (PTI) Maharashtra Samajwadi Party president Abu Azmi on Sunday said Muslims have never complained about ‘wari’, the foot march by devotees of Lord Vitthal from various parts of the state to the temple town of Pandharpur, though some leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath keep opposing namaz on the streets.
His statement evoked a sharp response from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who accused Azmi of seeking publicity, while Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske claimed such remarks build up grievances against the Muslim community.
“I was coming from Pune and was told to leave early as the roads will be blocked for wari towards Pandharpur. But we (Muslims) have never complained (about it). Muslims and Hindus walk shoulder to shoulder like brothers. But deliberate attempts are made to create a divide,” Azmi, MLA from Mumbai’s Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency, told reporters here.
Mosques are sometimes full during prayers so people offer namaz on the roads, which take 5-10 minutes, but the UP CM says those who indulge in such acts will lose their passports and driving licences, Azmi claimed.
Muslims have never asked why festivals are celebrated on the roads, he added.
Queried about the remarks, CM Fadnavis said, “Azmi is known to make controversial remarks to get publicity. I don’t give any importance to this.” Thane Lok Sabha MP Mhaske, who is part of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said, “There is grievance against the Muslim community due to leaders like Abu Azmi. The Pandharpur wari is older than the advent of Islam in India. Even Muslims take part in wari.” Mhaske added that the wari by devotees is a very disciplined affair in which participants walk along the side of the road.
The processions from Pune and other parts of the state will reach Pandharpur in Solapur district on July 6, which is ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ as per the Hindu calendar. PTI MR BNM
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