Mumbai, March 4 NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil on Wednesday described the remarks allegedly made by Swami Govindadevagiri, the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, regarding Warkari scriptures, as "deeply offensive," and demanded an apology.
He also urged the government and its members to respect the state's spiritual heritage.
Raising the issue in the legislative assembly, Patil said that characterizing Dnyaneshwari, Bhagwat, and the abhangas (devotional poetry) of Sant Namdev and Sant Tukaram as mere commentaries or compilations was "deeply offensive" to millions of devotees and the Warkari community.
He said that these works are considered independent and socially transformative scriptures that promoted equality and devotion, and are held in high regard in Maharashtrian culture.
Patil said that such descriptions risk sowing discord in society and called on the government to take note of the sentiments of the people and the Warkari sect. He urged retracting the statements and issuing an apology.
Warkaris, or devotees of Lord Vitthal, have expressed their disapproval of the remarks.
The government has stated that a statement will be made.