No need to display religious sentiments in public: Pawar amid Hanuman Chalisa row

Pune: Amid a political row in Maharashtra over the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said there is no need to display religious sentiments in public.

Speaking to reporters here, he also said that earlier there used to be spirit of friendship among political opponents, but now “undesirable things” are being witnessed.

Asked about the atmosphere prevailing in the state in the wake of issues like the row over recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, Pawar said every person has his sentiments about their religion, but it is good if the person keeps that sentiment in his heart and in his house. “There is no need to display it (publicly),” he said.

“If efforts are made to spread hatred against communities or classes, adverse effects would be seen in society. Maharashtra never experienced this (kind of situation). Of late, such things are happening. I am surprised over this,” he said.

Pawar said if someone wants to conduct a religious programme, he can do so in his own house. “But, if you decide to hold that religious programme at my doorstep, then people who have faith in me can become anxious. Unfortunately, some people are creating such kind of an atmosphere of late. Let’s see, in the coming days, the atmosphere will improve,” he said.

Pawar further said that people like him always strive to curb hatred and differences among people in the state and restore the old tradition of having the spirit of friendship. Asked about a BJP delegation going to meet the Union home secretary over some incidents that have taken place in Mumbai, Pawar said it is obvious that some “anxious people” will go and explore their options, but there is no need to think over it. The state capital recently witnessed a political row over use of loudspeakers at religious places and the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa.

Pawar said, “The threat of the imposition of President’s rule is always made, but it has no outcome. If a midterm poll situation arises, then the recent Kolhapur byelection result has shown what kind of result would be there, and I think no one will go to that extent (of imposition of President’s rule).”

In a boost for the tripartite MVA government in Maharashtra, the Congress recently won the byelection to the Kolhapur North Assembly constituency, retaining the seat by defeating the BJP. Pawar said he has worked in the state for several years and he and Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray had differences and both used to criticise each other, but despite that, they would meet at each other’s houses.

“There used to be a spirit of friendship among political opponents in the state and that tradition had been going on since Maharashtra’s first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan. Unfortunately, undesirable things are being witnessed now,” he said.

Pawar also said everyone has the right to criticise chief minister on policy front, but personal attack on the CM is not good. “The CM is an institution. When I look at the CM’s position, I don’t just see Uddhav Thackeray, it is an institution and respect has to be shown to it. But, some people have taken a stand not to respect it,” he said.

Asked if Union Home Minister has given signals about bringing the Uniform Civil Code, Pawar said if any decision is to be taken, it has to be discussed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

“In Parliament, there is a tradition that before taking such decision, a dialogue takes place with the opposition. If that opportunity comes, we will also put forth our opinions,” he said. On the electricity problems in Maharashtra, Pawar said several states like Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the country are facing the power crisis.

“There are two reasons. The first is high power demand due to the soaring temperature and the second is shortage of raw material. I do not want to get into the details of what the state government and the Centre are saying. I think, everyone should sit together and find a solution to the power crisis and ensure the state’s economy is not adversely affected,” he said.

Pawar said as per his information, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is spending a lot of time in his daily schedule to find a solution to the crisis and the situation will improve. “The situation will improve once the rain starts, but again it will take another one-and-a-half months,” he added.