Bhujbal Comes to NCP (SP) Legislator’s Rescue in Ambedkar Insult Issue

Mumbai: While the other Mahayuti parties condemned Jitendra Awhad for allegedly tearing down the poster of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the NCP (SP) leader received unexpected support on Thursday from his rival party leader Chhagan Bhujbal from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The veteran OBC leader defended Awhad saying his action was not deliberate.

Awhad, on Wednesday, had burnt the poster containing Manusmriti and Dr Ambedkar’s photo at Mahad to protest against the State Council of Educational Research and Training’s purported proposal to include some verses from Manusmriti in the curriculum of state schools. While doing so, he was also seen allegedly tearing down the poster of Ambedkar.

Condemning Awhad’s action, the Mahayuti parties – the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena – held statewide protests against Awhad. However, Bhujbal came to Awhad’s defence saying the Mumbra-Kalwa MLA had gone to Mahad with good intentions and has already apologised for his mistake.

“Jitendra Awhad went there with good intentions to burn Manusmriti. He tore the picture without even looking at it. He even apologised. But the main issue that we don’t want Manusmriti in school education will be forgotten (due to the protests) and only protests over Jitendra Awhad will remain,” Bhujbal told reporters.

“Jitendra Awad went there with good intentions. But he tore the picture by mistake without seeing whose photo was on it. He has also publicly apologized in this regard. Although he is the leader of the opposition party, there is no point in criticizing him,” said Bhujbal.

But we should not forget the main issue that we don’t want Manusmriti in school education, he added.

Awhad thanked Bhujbal for his support with his post on X. He said, “I made a mistake unintentionally and for that I publicly apologized for it. But you supported the idea that we must oppose Manusmriti. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. When I was asked who will stand behind me from other parties, I quickly mentioned your name.”

“I took your name with authority because of our love for the Bahujan community. I will forever be grateful for the way you stood behind me. Let us all fight our battle against Manusmriti together,” Awhad added.

This is not the first time Bhujbal has spoken against the Mahayuti government. Earlier this week, he said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was likely to face consequences in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections as the ‘400 par’ slogan had hurt the voters. He had also previously criticised the Maharashtra government’s decision to extend reservations to Marathas.