Sunetra Pawar's presence in RSS event raises political eyebrows, MP clarifies stand

As the news spread, the NCP's MP and Ajit Pawar’s wife came out with a clarification requesting not to attribute any political meaning to her presence at the meeting.

Mumbai: In a development that sparked off political eyebrows, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar’s wife and Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar was seen at an event of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women’s organisation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The meeting was held at the New Delhi residence of actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, the BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. 

In fact, Kangana’s post on X on the Wednesday meeting which had four photos including one of Sunetra Pawar sparked off the political row. 

"An event of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti was held at my residence. Together, we will further strengthen Sanatan values, Hindu culture, and national consciousness. Our collective resolve is to continuously work for human service, nation-building, and the preservation of Sanatan culture. The awareness and participation of women are what empower the nation. Jai Hind,” wrote Kangana. 

In the photo, Sunetra was seen standing in the backdrop which had photos of Bharat Mata, RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, popularly known as Doctorji and the second RSS chief Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji, and speaking to an audience. 

When asked about the Sunetra’s presence in Sangh Parivar platform, on Thursday, Ajit Pawar, known for his sense of humour, said: “I don’t ask my wife a minute-to-minute account  of where she had been…I just ask where you have been.” 

However, as the news spread like wildfire, Sunetra Pawar came out with a clarification requesting not to attribute any political meaning to her presence at the meeting. 

“A discussion is ongoing regarding my presence at a meeting, about which I would like to clarify that there was no political motive behind it. Other women MPs were also participating in it. As a Rajya Sabha MP and someone who has been engaged in social work in Baramati for a long time, I am always eager to gain firsthand knowledge of the work done by various women’s organizations. Women from different states were participating in that meeting. I attended it to understand their initiatives and working methods. When I was asked to speak at that time, I expressed my views in just two words,” she said, in a post on X.

“Please do not attribute any political meaning to my presence there. My purpose was, is, and will always be to understand and encourage the work of women in society,” she added. 

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, the grand-nephew of family patriarch Sharad Pawar, took a dig at Ajit Pawar, his uncle.

“On one hand, it is said that we are progressive…the name of Yashwantrao Chavan Saheb is taken. The name of Shiv-Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar is taken. But on the other hand, if you are going to an RSS meeting, your representatives are going to an RSS meeting, this is a double standard,” he said.