NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday issued a clarification after a video surfaced showing him reprimanding a woman IPS officer over action against illegal soil excavation in Solapur.In a statement, Pawar said his “intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further.” He stressed that he holds “the highest respect for the police force, including women officers who serve with distinction.”

“My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my interaction with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further,” Pawar wrote in a post on X.“I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all. I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law,” he added.The controversy erupted after a clip circulated online showing Pawar speaking to Anjana Krishna, the sub-divisional police officer of Karmala, over the phone of an NCP worker. In the video, Pawar rebuked the IPS officer, sternly asking her to stop action against illegal excavation of murrum soil, widely used in road construction. The officer initially failed to recognise his voice, prompting Pawar to switch to a video call and identify himself.The incident sparked sharp political reactions. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused Pawar of shielding “thieves” and questioned his right to remain in office. “He is scolding her to provide protection to the thieves of his party… Ministers should be ashamed,” Raut alleged, adding that illegal soil mining robs the state exchequer.The NCP defended Pawar, saying the video had been selectively leaked and that his intent was not to halt the police crackdown but to defuse tensions with local workers.