Pune: Deputy Chief Minister and National President of the Nationalist Congress Party, Ajit Pawar, expressed his displeasure over the uncleanliness in the premises of a temple during his visit to Pune.
Pawar, who was in the city for a scheduled event, began his day with the inauguration of a jeweler's shop in Raviwar Peth. Following the event, locals urged him to visit the nearby Shri Ram Temple, managed by the Maheshwari community.
Upon reaching the temple's entrance, Pawar was greeted with an unpleasant sight—a heap of garbage.
Clearly upset, he immediately confronted the temple trustees present, asking, “How can such a grand temple be left in this state? Cleanliness must be maintained, no matter who is responsible.” The trustees, caught off guard, had no response.
Once inside the temple, Pawar continued his inspection, noticing dust on the ceiling fans and a wire curtain obstructing the sanctum sanctorum. His frustration grew as he addressed the trustees again, emphasizing the need for better maintenance.
“A large number of devotees visit this temple. This level of cleanliness is unacceptable,” he remarked. The trustees, acknowledging the criticism, assured Pawar that they would take immediate steps to rectify the situation.
As he exited the temple, Pawar encountered workers from the Pune Municipal Corporation’s waste management department near the entrance.
He inquired, “When will this garbage be cleared?” The workers responded by saying that it was just soil, to which Pawar humorously folded his hands in mock surrender, eliciting laughter from those around.
