Ahmednagar: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Sangram Jagtap has sparked outrage after urging Hindus to purchase Diwali goods only from Hindu shopkeepers. Speaking in Ahilyanagar, Jagtap claimed his comments were a reaction to alleged leaflets by Muslim leaders that encouraged Muslims to buy exclusively from Muslim vendors during Eid. He stated, “We did not start it. They have started it.”
Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar condemned the remarks, calling them “unacceptable to the party.” He announced that a show-cause notice would be issued to Jagtap. Pawar said that such divisive statements harm social harmony and contradict the NCP’s values.
Jagtap’s statement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and community groups, who accused him of promoting economic segregation along religious lines. The comments come at a time when Maharashtra has seen increased communal tension over market activity and local politics.
Jagtap also referenced the circulation of what he described as “defamatory leaflets” targeting Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, using the issue to justify his stance. Civil society organisations, however, have warned against linking unrelated incidents to justify communal appeals.
Political analysts view the NCP’s quick response as an attempt to contain the fallout within the party and reaffirm its commitment to inclusive governance. The controversy underscores the widening fault lines in local politics, where religious identity is being invoked to influence public behavior.
