Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday called for restraint among political leaders, criticizing cabinet colleague and BJP leader Nitesh Rane’s claim that Muslims were absent from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army as “misleading.”

Speaking in Karad after honoring Yashwantrao Chavan on his birth anniversary, Pawar, who leads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), emphasized the need to preserve communal harmony in the state.

Addressing reporters, Pawar said, “Leaders must ensure their public statements do not spark communal rifts. Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage has thrived on coexistence, a legacy past leaders upheld.”

His remarks came in response to Rane’s controversial assertion, which has stirred debate. Pawar countered, “Shivaji Maharaj founded a sovereign state without discriminating based on caste or creed. Evidence shows Muslims held key roles in his reign, including managing his ammunition department.”

Pawar expressed bewilderment at the intent behind such statements, noting, “I don’t understand the purpose of these misleading claims.”

He highlighted Maharashtra’s diverse fabric, home to “numerous patriotic Muslims,” and urged caution from both government and opposition figures. “Statements that harm unity must be avoided,” he stressed, recalling the state’s history of fostering peace across communities.

The deputy CM’s comments reflect a broader appeal to safeguard Maharashtra’s pluralistic ethos amid rising political rhetoric. While paying tributes to Chavan, a Congress stalwart and the state’s first CM, Pawar underscored the importance of leadership that unites rather than divides.

As coalition dynamics within the ruling alliance face scrutiny, his stance subtly distances the NCP from Rane’s position, signaling a call for responsibility in public discourse at a time when communal tensions could easily flare.