Ajit Pawar Slams Party MLA For ‘Buy Only From Hindus’ Remark

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday condemned the statement made by NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap, who appealed to citizens to shop only from Hindu stores during Diwali. Saying that the remark was highly unacceptable, Mr. Pawar announced that the party would issue a show-cause notice to Mr. Jagtap, who has a history of crossing party lines.

Mr. Jagtap, MLA from Ahilyanagar, courted controversy by urging citizens to buy only from Hindu-owned shops during the Diwali festival; this was a statement widely criticized for promoting social division.

Distancing himself and his party from the MLA’s remarks, Mr. Pawar said, “This is the Maharashtra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. It is a state that embraces all communities. A very wrong statement has been made. We will issue a show-cause notice to him.”

Without directly naming Mr. Jagtap, Mr. Pawar said: “Everything was fine in Ahilyanagar until Arunkaka Jagtap (Sangram Jagtap’s father) was alive. Now we feel an additional burden. Now that some people do not have the protection of their fathers, they have greater responsibilities. At such times one has to act and speak carefully.”

The MLA’s father, former MLA Arun Jagtap, passed away earlier this year. He has faced criticism in the past for making statements seen as divisive. His recent remarks calling for an economic boycott on religious lines during a major festival embarrassed the NCP, which calls itself a secular party. “He has been advised several times in the past, but there has been no change in his behaviour. His attitude is not acceptable to the party and hence we have decided to issue him a show-cause notice,” Mr. Pawar said.

Speaking at a public meeting two days ago, Mr Jagtap reportedly said: “I request all of you, please remember, this is our money, our purchases. Make sure you shop from Hindus during Diwali.”

Mr. Jagtap, who is currently serving his third consecutive term, appears to have changed his political stance significantly compared to his previous two terms. Mr. Jagtap, previously known for a relatively moderate approach, has now moved towards a more aggressive Hindutva ideology.

In recent months, he has actively participated in tours across the state along with BJP leaders, including Minister Nitesh Rane and MLA Gopichand Padalkar. He was also a prominent speaker at ‘Jan Aakrosh Morchas’, protest rallies organized by Hindutva groups, and his speeches took on a distinctly harsh tone.