Ram was non-vegetarian, says NCP MLA Awhad; BJP leader demands FIR against him
Shirdi (Maha), Jan 4: Jitendra Awhad, an MLA of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and former Maharashtra minister, has kicked up a row by stating that Lord Ram was a "non-vegetarian" who hunted animals.
As the claim led to a BJP MLA as well as the rival faction of the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar to demand registration of a criminal case against him, Awhad said he had not said anything without studying the matter, yet he was expressing regret if he had hurt anybody's sentiments.
Speaking at a party conclave at Shirdi in western Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district on Wednesday, Awhad said Lord Ram belonged to "bahujans".
The term 'bahujan' is traditionally used in Maharashtra to refer to the non-Brahmin sections of Hindu society, especially the marginalised communities.
"He (Lord Ram) used to hunt and eat. He is ours, of bahujans. You (an apparent reference to the BJP) are turning us into vegetarians, (but) we are following the example of Ram and consuming mutton," the NCP MLA said.
"Ram was not a vegetarian, he was a non-vegetarian. Where would a person who lived in the forest for 14 years find vegetarian food?" Awhad said.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar was present on the occasion.
On Wednesday evening, workers of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP tried to stage a protest near Awhad's residence in Thane. Former MP Anand Paranjpe, who owes allegiance to the Ajit Pawar camp, demanded that an FIR be registered against him.
Awhad later said those who wanted to fight without any logic resort to such demands.
"It is not my job to distort history...I have not made any statement without studying the matter, but these days emotions get much more importance than scholarship. I express regret if my remarks have hurt anyone," he added.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam submitted an application to the suburban Ghatkopar police in Mumbai, seeking an FIR against Awhad for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments.
Talking to reporters, he also sought to know why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar -- whose parties are constituents of an alliance in the state -- were "keeping silent when their own leader and colleague is hurting the sentiments of crores of people".
"The NCP leaders and Awhad can not digest the fact that a grand temple of Ram is going to be inaugurated on January 22. Why is he using such foul language?" Kadam asked.
Police have not registered any case against Awhad yet. "We have received the application and will seek a legal opinion on it," said an official of Ghatkopar police.
मैं अरुण यादव महाराष्ट्र सरकार से इस रामद्रोही JITENDRA AWHAD को तुरंत गिरफ्तार करने की मांग कर रहा हूं।
— Arun Yadav🇮🇳 (@beingarun28) January 3, 2024
मेरे साथ सभी राम भक्त इस ट्रेंड का समर्थन करे। 👇👇#ArrestJitendraAwhad https://t.co/Tr4wwg2isQ pic.twitter.com/N8RI3BFNLZ
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Operation Sindoor reflected India's firm response against terror: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that Operation Sindoor reflected India's firm response against terrorism and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the national security.
On the first anniversary of the military offensive against military and terror Infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the prime minister said a year later, India remains as steadfast as ever in its resolve to defeat terrorism and destroy its enabling ecosystem.
Modi said a year ago, Indian armed forces displayed unparalleled courage, precision and resolve during the Operation Sindoor.
He said the forces gave a fitting response to those who dared to attack innocent Indians at Pahalgam and the entire nation salutes the Indian forces for their valour.
"Operation Sindoor reflected India's firm response against terrorism and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security. It also highlighted the professionalism, preparedness and coordinated strength of our armed forces," he said in a post on X.
At the same time, Modi said, it showcased the growing jointness among India security forces and underlined the strength that India's quest for self-reliance in the defence sector has brought to the country's national security.
Operation Sindoor was carried out by the three defence forces along with the BSF along the western border, targeting terrorist and military facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from May 7-10, 2025.
This operation was carried out in retaliation to the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
