Pawar promises to address minorities’ woes in iftar speech

At the iftar hosted by the Nationalist Congress Party at Haj House on Saturday, party president Sharad Pawar attempted to mollify the minority community.

At the iftar hosted by the Nationalist Congress Party at Haj House on Saturday, party president Sharad Pawar attempted to mollify the minority community.

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He began by decrying the ‘unjust’ atmosphere prevailing in the country and said right wing terrorism was putting Muslim minorities to great trouble.

“It is unjust and unfair that crimes are committed by one group and another hauled up for them and punished,” Pawar said in the context of the Malegaon blasts of September 2006.

He surprised everyone by saying he had in his possession three ‘letters’ from the CBI that clearly pointed to the involvement of saffron terrorists in Malegaon, Goa and activities of Abhinav Bharat.

“Some urgent remedies for these ills are imperative,” he said in his brief address, cut short by the arrival of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who assured the minorities of full redressal of all their grievances. “I am aware there are several minority issues that need to be tackled. I assure you these will be sorted out in the days to come,” he said.

The dinner was organised by NCP Mumbai president Narendra Verma.