Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar voiced concerns on Sunday about potential violence in Maharashtra akin to the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur. Speaking at a public event in Navi Mumbai, Pawar criticized the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their handling of the situation between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur, which has been simmering for over a year.
“This happened in Manipur. It also happened in the neighboring states. It also happened in Karnataka. And in recent times, there is concern that it will happen in Maharashtra too. Fortunately, Maharashtra has a legacy of many stalwarts who promoted harmony and equality,” Pawar stated, according to an India Today report. He emphasized Maharashtra’s historical commitment to unity and peace, crediting influential leaders for fostering these values.
Reflecting on his discussions, Pawar shared, “Manipur was mentioned in someone’s conversation with me. It was discussed in the Parliament of the country. People of various castes, religions, and languages of Manipur came to Delhi to meet us. And what did the picture they showed us convey?” Pawar expressed deep concern over the violence, noting that communities in Manipur who had coexisted peacefully for generations are now unwilling to communicate with each other.
Highlighting the state’s duty, Pawar asserted that the government must address the issue, instill confidence in the people, and maintain law and order. Criticizing the central government, he remarked, “After all that happened, he never thought that the Prime Minister of the country should go there and provide relief to the people.”
Pawar’s comments come amid rising tensions between the Marathas and OBCs in Maharashtra over quota protests, though he did not specifically mention this issue. On Saturday, he expressed concerns over the growing divide among communities regarding reservations, urging the Maharashtra government to engage in more dialogue with stakeholders.
“The dialogue with stakeholders over quota that should have taken place has not been done. The chief minister talks with one set of people, while others in the government hold talks with different groups. This creates misunderstanding,” Pawar said. Last week, he met with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss the tensions between the Maratha and OBC communities.