Maharashtra Samajwadi Party Chief and Mumbai MLA Abu Asim Azmi has sparked off a controversy by comparing the centuries-old pilgrimage Pandharpur Wari to offering Namaz on the roads, drawing sharp remarks from the BJP and other parties of the ruling coalition in the state.
Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath comments about cancelling the passports of those who offer namaz on the road, Azmi said, “Many Hindu festivals are celebrated on the roads. But no Muslim person complains about Hindu festivals. But when a Muslim offers prayers on the road for ten minutes, a complaint is made.”
“The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, is threatening to cancel passports and driving licences. While leaving from Pune, I was told to leave soon, otherwise the roads would be shut due to the movement of Palkhi,” he added.
Earlier too, a political storm had erupted over Abu Asim Azmi’s statement glorifying Aurangzeb, following which he was suspended from the assembly.
Responding to Azmi’s comments on the Warkari movement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Azmi makes such comments to get publicity. I don’t want to give them my attention.”
Responding to Fadnavis, Azmi said, “I have not said anything wrong. I am ready to welcome Hindu festivals, but if Muslims offer namaz on roads for 10 minutes due to shortage of space, there is outrage.”
Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Naresh Mhaske said, “Azmi is making such anti-national statements to create disturbances in two communities. Rights to vote and stand for the election of such people should be snatched.”
Supporting the wari, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has said that such comments won’t be tolerated.
“If our Mahakumbh, our wari, starts, he would object to it. Our wari doesn’t last a year, but namaz is offered by large crowd every Friday. We will not tolerate this here. If we raise a question about the Haj pilgrimage tomorrow, will it work? No one should dare to talk about the wari. Our wari will continue like this,” said Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane.
Minorities Commission Chairman Pyare Khan said he would issue a notice to Azmi for his comments on Wari as his statements were unreasonable.
“Abu Azmi’s statement regarding Wari is unreasonable and will create a rift between the two communities. We will issue a notice to Abu Azmi under Section 10 regarding his statement. Moreover, if necessary, we will ask him to appear before the commission and reply,” he said.
“If Abu Azmi’s statement regarding Wari causes riots anywhere in Maharashtra, a case will be registered against Abu Azmi in the nearest police station,” said the Minorities Commission Chairman.
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