Opposition seeks apology over MLC’s ‘urban Naxal’ remark on wari pilgrimage

Holding copies of the Constitution, Opposition leaders staged a protest on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday (July 3, 2025), condemning Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande’s remarks alleging the presence of “urban Naxals” in the annual Ashadhi wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. 

Leaders across the Opposition spectrum — including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve (Shiv Sena-UBT), Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad — accused the Mahayuti government of attempting to defame a centuries-old religious tradition and demanded an apology from the ruling alliance. 

“This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra’s cultural identity. The government must immediately withdraw these remarks and apologise to the warkari community,” Mr. Danve said during the protest. 

The Ashadhi wari is a revered annual pilgrimage during which lakhs of devotees — known as warkaris — walk to Pandharpur to offer prayers to Lord Vitthal. Ms. Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, claimed in the Legislative Council on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) that urban Naxals had infiltrated the wari and were attempting to mislead devotees. 

“Atheist individuals who do not believe in God have entered the wari. This is a serious matter. Under the guise of groups like Samvidhan Dindi, Paryavaran Wari, and Lokayat, they are staging street plays, delivering speeches, and influencing warkaris,” Ms. Kayande alleged. She also cited past instances where pieces of meat were reportedly thrown during the procession. 

She urged the Mahayuti government to act swiftly to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage and said the proposed Maharashtra Public Security Bill would help curb such disruptive elements. “During last year’s Lok Sabha elections, these same elements spread a false narrative about the Constitution being changed,” Ms. Kayande added. 

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena faction that nominated Ms. Kayande, told the House that the government had taken cognisance of the matter and had directed the Home Department to investigate the claims. 

Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam also said his office had received complaints about attempts by alleged “urban Naxals” to disrupt social harmony and assured the House that the matter would be taken seriously. 

The Opposition, however, dismissed the remarks as baseless and politically motivated. They alleged that the comments were part of a deliberate attempt to politicise a spiritual event and discredit the peaceful warkari movement. 

“This is an attempt to sow division under the guise of security concerns. The government must stop targeting religious gatherings with ideological labels,” Mr. Awhad said.