Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 22 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar organised an Iftar gathering in Mumbai and emphasised the importance of communal harmony and unity against divisive forces.

The NCP leader said that festivals like Holi, Gudi Padwa, and Eid promote togetherness and should be celebrated collectively, as unity is the true strength of the nation. He further said that anybody trying to create rifts between the two communities would face stringent punishment.

'Many great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and others have shown the path of social progress by taking along all religions and castes. We have to carry forward this legacy. India is a symbol of unity and diversity. We have just celebrated Holi, and now Gudi Padwa and Eid are approaching. These festivals teach us to live together. Our real strength lies in unity,' Pawar said.

Assuring the Muslim community of his support, he added, 'Your brother Ajit Pawar is with you. If anyone dares to intimidate our Muslim brothers and sisters or tries to create communal discord, they will not be spared.'

Ramzan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar and falls in the ninth month of the Hijri (the Islamic lunar calendar). During this holy period, Muslims observe fasting from dawn until sunset, a practice called Roza, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. It signifies values of devotion, self-restraint, and spiritual contemplation.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra has witnessed intense political debates over the Nagpur violence, which erupted amid the Mahayuti government's demand to remove Aurangzeb's grave from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

As the opposition continues to criticise the state government over the Nagpur violence, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hit back at the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, comparing himself to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and accusing the opposition of compromising for power.

Shinde provided details on the violence in Nagpur and also criticised Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi for his remarks on Aurangzeb.

He accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of political hypocrisy, alleging that while they publicly opposed the BJP, they had secretly explored allying with the party.

Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab's claim that he was tortured like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to switch parties, Shinde dismissed the allegation.

'What torture did you go through? I know that you also bowed down after action was taken against you. But after being released from the case, you turned around like your leaders,' Shinde said. (ANI)