Asaduddin Owaisi, president of AIMIM and Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, on Tuesday, July 16, alleged that the Maharashtra government is engaged in appeasement and communal politics.
He launched a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde government for launching the 'CM Pilgrimage Scheme', which offers free pilgrimages to Hindu shrines to citizens above 60 years of age.
Asaduddin Owaisi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “The Maharashtra government has come up with a 'CM Pilgrimage Scheme', which offers free pilgrimages to people above 60 years of age. Except for 2 Muslim sites, a few Gurudwaras and churches, the vast majority of the sites are Hindu pilgrimage sites. Isn't this appeasement? Isn't this 'revdi'? Those who are pious can undertake these pilgrimages on their own.
The Maharashtra government has come up with a “CM Pilgrimage Scheme” that offers free pilgrimage to people above 60 years of age. Except for 2 Muslim sites, a few Gurudwaras and churches, the vast majority of the sites are Hindu pilgrimage sites. Isn’t this reconciliation? Isn’t this “revdi”?…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) July 16, 2024
Recently, the Maharashtra government announced that it will provide pensions to 'Warkaris'. This development comes on the occasion of Aashadi Ekadashi, when Warkaris (the community of elders) set out for the annual age-old pilgrimage, known as Wari, to Pandharpur, dedicated to Lord Vithal.
The move comes ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled for later this year, which are aimed at appeasing the Warkaris. The government also announced the formation of Mukhya Mantri Varkari Sampradaya Mahamandal under the Ministry of Social Justice. The corporation aims to provide facilities to Kirtankars, Warkaris and Bhajani Mandals, and manage the Palkhi routes. The Mahamandal, headquartered in Pandharpur, has a seed fund of ₹50 crores.
The BJP-led Mahayuti government announced the pension measure after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) tried to appease the Warkaris. NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress' Rahul Gandhi are likely to take part in the wari.
The Government of Maharashtra has decided to provide a fund ₹20,000 per Dindi (group of devotees) from this year onwards, according to a Times of India report. .over, ₹36.71 crores has been allocated for the Nirmal Vari initiative, which aims to install mobile toilets along the pilgrim routes.