Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad has triggered a political controversy by making contentious statements about Lord Ram during a speech at the party’s study camp in Shirdi. Awhad asserted, “Lord Ram was a king of Bahujans and a non-vegetarian,” sparking immediate reactions from political opponents and masses in general.
Awhad defended his statements, arguing, “We don’t read history and forget everything in politics. Ram is ours. Of us Bahujans. Who used to hunt to eat… Ram was never a vegetarian. He was a non-vegetarian. How can a man who lived in the jungle for 14 years remain a vegetarian.”
The timing of Awhad’s remarks coincided with a letter from ruling BJP MLA Ram Kadam to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging the declaration of January 22 — the day the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is set to be inaugurated — as a dry day with a ban on non-vegetarian food. The BJP swiftly condemned Awhad’s statements, accusing him of disrespecting the emotions of millions of Lord Ram’s devotees.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam questioned, “What proof does Jitendra Awhad have to show Lord Ram ate non-vegetarian food? At a time when the temple is being inaugurated, he has disrespected the emotions of crores of devotees of Lord Ram.”
Ruling NCP’s (Ajit Pawar faction) state president Sunil Tatkare entered the fray, taunting Awhad’s wisdom. Tatkare remarked, “He was not capable of matching the wisdom of Awhad, and it is better not to even talk about it.”
Awhad maintained his position, insisting that he said nothing controversial. He stated, “My statements were factual. A systematic attempt is being made to make Ram a vegetarian. Over 80% of people in this country are non-vegetarian, and they are devotees of Lord Ram.”
During his speech, Awhad also directed criticism towards Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, declaring that making him deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, despite his early morning swearing-in ceremony with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis in 2019, was a mistake. “It was a mistake of the NCP to make him the deputy CM once again. He insulted those loyal to Sharad Pawar at every possible point,” remarked Awhad.
