The office-bearers of the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) have expressed deep sorrow over the death of Deputy Chief Minister AjitPawar in the air crash near Baramati. They stated that his demise marks the end of an era of progressive politics. They said that although he functioned among communal forces, he never adopted their ideology and remained a symbol of tolerance in politics.
Federation representatives said that AjitPawar took a keen interest in minority issues and, whenever approached, listened attentively and assured positive action. In his statement, Sheikh Abdul Majeed, FMMCoordinator said that whenever they met him regarding minority concerns, he showed serious interest in resolving them. Whether it was incidents of unrest in Mira Road, Akola, and Vishalgarh, or issues relating to provocative statements, he paid immediate attention to the matters.
The Federation has also demanded a transparent investigation into the air crash so that any doubts arising in the minds of the public may be addressed and confidence in the government and administration restored. FMM office-bearers expressed hope that both the state and central governments will conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.
They described AjitPawar’s demise as a great loss to Maharashtra and said they stand with his family, relatives, and supporters during this difficult and sorrowful time.
The statement was issued through a joint press release of the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims. Among the signatories were: Maulana UmrainMahfooz Rahmani; Mahmood Ahmad Dariyabadi, Secretary of the Muslim Personal Law Board and General Secretary of the Ulema Council; Maulana Hafiz Ilyas Khan Falahi, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra; Maulana Hafiz Syed Athar, President of the Ulama Association Mumbai (Ahl-e-Sunnatwal Jamaat), Maharashtra; Maulana HaleemullahQasmi, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maharashtra; Farid Sheikh, President of Aman Committee Mumbai; Abdul Hafeez Patrakar (Jalna); Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi, Vice President of the Shia Personal Law Board; Dr. Saeed Ahmad Faizi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Maharashtra; Hafiz Iqbal Choonawala, Member of the Shura, DarulUloom Deoband Waqf; Maulana Mufti HuzaifaQasmi, Organising Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maharashtra; Mufti Ashfaq (Akola), Member of the Muslim Personal Law Board; Maulana Agha Rooh Zafar, Imam of Khoja Jamaat Mumbai; Maulana Anees Ashrafi, Raza Foundation Mumbai; Mufti Ashfaq Qasmi; Maulana Nizamuddin Fakhruddin, Member of the Muslim Personal Law Board (Pune); Humayun Sheikh, Nazim of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Mumbai; and Sheikh Abdul Majeed, FMMCoordinator.
Meanwhile, Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra, also expressed profound grief over the death of NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister AjitPawar in a tragic air crash in Baramati.
In his statement, the JIH state chief said, “AjitPawar was a symbol of tolerance in Maharashtra’s politics and a reflection of secularism amid communal challenges. He refused to bow before divisive forces, even when surrounded by those seeking to exploit religious and communal differences for political gain. Despite the pressures of contemporary politics, his steadfast adherence to secular principles stands as a valuable lesson for all who believe in the inclusive vision of India as enshrined in our Constitution.”