Thu Jul 03 18:08:22 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The article reports on a political controversy in Maharashtra, India, where a ruling party MLC (Member of the Legislative Council) from Shiv Sena, Manisha Kayande, accused “urban Naxals” of infiltrating the annual Ashadhi wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. This accusation has sparked outrage and protests from opposition leaders who view it as an attack on Maharashtra’s cultural identity and a politically motivated attempt to discredit the peaceful pilgrimage. The opposition leaders demanded an apology from the Mahayuti government. The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the government would investigate the claims.

**News Article:**

**Maharashtra Opposition Protests Allegations of ‘Urban Naxals’ Infiltrating Ashadhi Wari**

**Mumbai, India – July 3, 2025** – Opposition leaders in Maharashtra staged protests today at the Vidhan Bhavan, condemning remarks made by Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande, who alleged the presence of “urban Naxals” within the annual Ashadhi wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Holding copies of the Constitution, leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) accused the ruling Mahayuti government of attempting to defame the centuries-old religious tradition.

The Ashadhi wari, a revered pilgrimage involving lakhs of devotees walking to Pandharpur to worship Lord Vitthal, was targeted by Kayande, who claimed that atheist individuals were using groups like Samvidhan Dindi, Paryavaran Wari, and Lokayat to influence warkaris. She urged the government to act to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage, citing potential disruptions and accusing these groups of spreading false narratives during the previous Lok Sabha elections.

Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve labelled the remarks an “attack on Maharashtra’s cultural identity” and demanded an apology from the government to the warkari community. While Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the government had taken cognizance of the issue and directed an investigation, opposition leaders dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, accusing the government of sowing division under the guise of security concerns. The controversy has intensified the political atmosphere in Maharashtra, raising concerns about the politicization of religious events.

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