Sun Jan 12 03:57:57 UTC 2025: ## Pawar and Fadnavis Collaborate to Quell Social Tensions in Maharashtra

**Pune, Maharashtra – January 12, 2025** – Following recent violent incidents in Beed and Parbhani districts, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have pledged to work together to restore peace and normalcy.

The unrest stems from the December 9th murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed, sparking clashes between the ruling and opposition parties. The arrest of an associate of state minister Dhananjay Munde in connection with an extortion case related to the murder has further inflamed tensions. Concerns over a potential caste conflict have also arisen, given Deshmukh’s Maratha background and the Vanjari community affiliations of some of those arrested.

Adding to the situation, Somnath Suryavanshi, arrested after violence in Parbhani on December 10th, died in custody on December 15th.

Mr. Pawar, speaking on Saturday, emphasized the need for united action, drawing on his experience managing crises like the 1993 Latur earthquake and Mumbai blasts. He stated that he had a detailed discussion with CM Fadnavis on Saturday regarding the situation, highlighting the importance of overcoming political differences to prioritize the well-being of the people. He expressed concern over the growing animosity and fear among previously harmonious communities. Mr. Fadnavis’s response to this collaboration was not explicitly stated in the release.

Read More