Ajit Pawar Meets Qureshi Community, Vows to Keep Meat Shops Open — Taking Secular Stand Inside Mahayuti

Ahead of the Independence Day Celebration in Maharashtra, some municipalities have ordered meat shops to remain closed. However, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is not happy with this order and holds a different view within the Mahayuti alliance. A few days back, Ajit Pawar met with members of the Qureshi community, where complaints were lodged regarding alleged harassment by cow protection vigilantes.

Following this, on Wednesday, the Maharashtra Police issued an order stating that only the police or authorised officers can take action against illegal animal transportation. The order made it clear that private individuals have no authority to stop, inspect, or assault traders. Pawar’s actions suggest that he is trying to prove himself secular even while being part of the Mahayuti.

Three Muslim MLAs in Mahayuti

Of the total 3 Muslim MLAs in the Mahayuti alliance, 2 are from the NCP. Several of Ajit Pawar’s key associates, like Sunil Tatkare, represent constituencies where Muslim votes are crucial. Political observers believe Pawar’s firm stance is in line with his political strategy rather than any particular ideology.

The Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, secured 235 of 288 seats in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. After that, Ajit Pawar made every possible effort to address the concerns of the minority community. However, during the polls, Muslim leadership in the Maha Vikas Aghadi openly supported the alliance.

Ajit Pawar reassuring the minority community

Earlier this year, Ajit Pawar sent a direct message to the minority community, saying, “As long as I am in the government, no injustice will be done to anyone. I keep my word." Some people try to instill fear in the community's mind for their vested political interests," he remarked in his speech at the Minority Community Confidence Meeting. I assure you all that we are running the government together with you. It is the duty of our administration to ensure that everyone in the state is safe.

At the beginning of this month, Pawar met with a group from the Qureshi community. The community had halted animal trade across the state due to increasing harassment and violence. Pawar’s office ensured the meeting received wide publicity, with a press release issued by the state’s Public Relations Department. "No injustice will be allowed against traders from this community or the farmers who transport their animals," Pawar told the delegation.

Ajit Pawar against closing meat shops

Now, Pawar has opposed the closure of slaughterhouses and meat shops by municipal corporations on Independence Day. "There is no justification for banning meat or non-vegetarian food on days like Maharashtra Day, Independence Day, or Republic Day, even though it is important to respect public sentiments on religious occasions like Ashadhi Ekadashi or Mahavir Jayanti," he remarked on Tuesday.

However, some sections of the minority community remain disappointed about the lack of on-ground results from Pawar’s assurances. Earlier, when officials were not addressing their complaints, Bombay Suburban Beef Dealers Association president Mohammad Ali Qureshi told The Indian Express, “Ajit Pawar does not control the ministries that regulate our trade. We need concrete results to believe the government is serious.”

What did the BJP say?

While the community’s problems may now be addressed, despite Pawar’s dissenting remarks, municipal corporations have not withdrawn their orders to close slaughterhouses and meat shops on Independence Day. The NCP is also facing trouble due to leaders like MLA Sangram Jagtap, whose provocative statements were blamed for communal tensions and recent violence in the Yavat area of Pune. On Jagtap’s comments, Pawar had said, “Sangram sometimes slips during speeches, but this must not happen again. We have to take everyone along.” Pawar later promised to seek an explanation from him, but no disciplinary action was taken.

NCP Maharashtra Vice President Salim Sarang admitted that statements from leaders like Jagtap harm the party. Sarang said, “We have always tried to take everyone along, including our Muslim brothers and sisters. A Muslim NCP leader expressed sympathy for Pawar’s stance. On the condition of anonymity, the leader told the media, “These are difficult times. Pleasing the Muslim vote bank is politically risky. But at least Ajit Pawar is making a show of caring. It may not change ground realities, but he is still taking a big risk.”