a day ago
Safety of warkaris is of prime importance, and police are alert to prevent any untoward incident: Shinde
Kolhapur: The safety of warkaris is the responsibility of the state govt, and the police department is alert to prevent any untoward incident in the wari, said deputy chief minister
Eknath Shinde
at Pandharpur.
He was responding to a question from reporters regarding Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande's claim that "urban naxals" had infiltrated the wari.
Kayande raised the issue in the ongoing session of the state legislature on Wednesday. She said that atheist people and their organisations participated in the wari — the pilgrimage of the devotees to Pandharpur — in the guise of creating awareness about the Constitution and environment by organising 'Constitution Dindi' and 'Environment Dindi.'
Kayande termed such people "urban naxals" who are using the wari to spread their ideology among warkaris. The state govt is bringing Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, and Kayande claimed that the bill was aimed at stopping the activities of "urban naxals".
Her remark has been condemned by the opposition and various warkari groups. Asked about the anger among the warkari groups regarding the claim of "urban naxals" infiltrating the pilgrimage, Shinde said, "Everyone wants a safe wari to take place.
It is the govt's responsibility. No single warkari should face trouble. The police are alert and ready for preventive action against any wrong incident. If someone is found indulging in such activities, police will take action immediately.
"
Dharmik, adhyatmik adishthan above political adisthan: Shinde
Shinde said that he has come as a devotee. "For us, warkaris are VIPs. Arrangements have been made so that the time required for darshan has reduced to five to six hours from 15-16 hours.
For me, dharmik and adhyatmik adishtan (religious and spiritual power) is above rajkiya adishthan (political power)," said Shinde.
During the visit, Shinde and ministers Girish Mahajan and Prakash Abitkar visited Palkhi Sthal—the place where the Palkhis on their way to Pandharpur will rest. He asked the authorities to control the release of water from Ujani dam so that Bhima river (called Chandrabhaga) passing through the town empties the sand beach, allowing warkaris to access the river water for a holy dip.
Palkhis of sant brothers meet
In Malshiras tehsil, the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and his brother Sopandev Maharaj meet. The Bandhu Bhet is celebrated by the warkaris walking along with the palkhis. Afterwards, the palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar moved and entered Pandharpur tehsil.
