The Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Chief Spokesperson Anand Paranjpe on Monday (June 23, 2025) slammed Maharashtra Samajwadi Party president Abu Azmi for his remarks over ‘wari‘, the foot march by devotees of Lord Vitthal to the temple town of Pandharpur and demanded stringent action against him.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Mr. Paranjpe said, “Abu Azmi has become a toxic element in Maharashtra, repeatedly making inflammatory statements to disrupt communal harmony. The government must act decisively against him.”
On Sunday, Mr. Azmi said that Muslims have never complained about ‘wari‘, though some leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath keep opposing namaz on the streets. “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. There are times when mosques are 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. Muslims have never asked why festivals are celebrated on the roads.”
