On the occasions of ‘Aashadhi Ekadashi’, the Intelligence Bureau keep receiving messages like leaving the snakes in the crowd, creating a situation that will lead to stampede by spreading rumors, stone pelting etc. So police forces are always keep themselves ready for each such situation, they also deploys snake catchers. Therefore, if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is saying that there was some conspiracy behind such messages, how much would it be true? “Police are performing their duties fairly, but as a part of precautionary measure if CM Fadanvis is not going to Pandharpur, it is absolutely correct”, said one of the ex IPS officer who had worked in intelligence bureau of center & state as well. When we had enquired about this matter to the police, they denied of receiving any such messages of releasing snakes or creating situation of stampede.
No threatening messages received
“CM Devendra Fadanvis will not come to Pandharpur to perform ‘Aashadhi Ekdashi’ rituals, but we have taken all the precautionary measures. There are some groups who can create panic situations; Police have special focus on every such individual. We haven’t noticed of any threatening or offensive messages as of now, therefore devotees should not believe in any such rumors”, Krishna Prakash, Inspector General of Police, Security Department.
To avoid community stir, I have cancelled temple visit.
Devotee’s security is top most priority – CM Fadanvis
No one can stop CM to go to the temple and perform ‘Puja’, I have Z-Plus security but I feared for the lives of nearly 10 lakh people expected to be at the temple on the occasion of ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’. The Pandharpur ‘vari’ of devotees should be above of all social & political stir. Spreading messages like creating a situation of stampede or releasing snakes in the ‘Vari’; is nothing but big shame for the progressive Maharashtra. As Police department have received threatening or offensive messages of creating panic situation, I have decided to cancel my visit to Pandharpur in the view of devotee’s security.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has refused to go to Pandharpur to perform Lord Vitthal’s Puja after the proposed stir over the Maratha Reservation. However, on Monday six thousand police from the State Police department have been deployed to prevent any panic situation. There is strict police protection at the every corner of the road of ‘Vari’.
Security of Pandharpur has been entrusted to Special Inspector General of Police, Krishna Prakash. Vari is the oldest tradition in Maharashtra and the worshiping of Lord Vitthal has always been performed by the Chief Minister. It has so far been practiced by all Chief Ministers. However, after the huge controversy aroused from the Maratha reservation, the Chief Minister will not go to Pandharpur due to threatening from the Maratha groups that the CM will not be allowed to worship Lord Vitthal and perform any rituals.
The police department has also been ready to prevent any untoward incident anywhere in Pandharpur because of Maratha reservation matter. Therefore Special Inspector General of Police, Krishna Prakash, has been sent there. Six thousand police personnel have been deployed under his guidance.
Government should take care that matter shouldn’t be flared up – Manohar Joshi, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Government should talk to Maratha agitators; they will listen if they are explained well. When I was the Chief Minister, I had stopped many protest movements before the situation could go out of control. So now the Chief Minister should also go in the same way and should not let the matter flared up. Call the agitators; talk to them, the Chief Minister must take all precautions to keep the state peaceful. The entire Maratha group should make demands under one banner, and in different groups, they can also come under Shivsena’s flag to put up their demands.
In 1997, I did not remember the exact incident that why I could not go to Pandharpur to perform rituals. This is a matter of 15-20 years ago. What do I say about it now? All I know is I could not go. The decision taken by the Chief Minister of not going to Pandharpur to worship ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ is absolutely correct as long as devotee’s security is concern. However the decision of stopping Chief Minister from performing rituals at pandharpur, is like a dictatorship.
Strict action will be taken against those who would obstruct law and order – Datta Padasalgikar, Director General of Police
Protest for CM Fadanvis. . .
CM could not perform the traditional rituals is nothing but the result of continuous false promises made to the people of the state. Talking to the media, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made serious allegations against Maratha community. He said that the Maratha community had planned to make a stampede like situation, releasing snake in Wari. However the Maratha community has always done protest in a peaceful manner, from the last 58 protest march, not a single one created any violence. Maratha March had also made an easy go to an Ambulance amongst lakhs of people. They also cleaned all the garbage after the march. ‘Wari’ devotees are like elderly members of our family. So to put them in trouble, Maratha community would never do any such low level activity of spreading hatred. Do not spoil the name of Maratha community for the failure of your non-performing governance. Maratha community can never do any such thing of releasing snakes or creating stampede like situation. Such statements of CM have hurt our sentiments. CM must apologize for the same.
