Akola, Maharashtra – Vikas Lavande, spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), has circulated a list of 20 alleged “infiltrators” in the Warkari Sampradaya, thereby exposing the ideological bankruptcy of himself and his party.
The Wari, an integral part of devotion to Shri Vitthal and a tradition with a legacy of over 800 years of saints, cannot be subjected to arbitrary labelling of individuals as “infiltrators”. Who has given Vikas Lavande and his party the authority to make such determinations?
🚩विकास लवांडे यांना तात्काळ अटक करा ! – हिंदुत्वनिष्ठांची मागणी
वारकरी संप्रदायातील लोकांना ‘घुसखोर’ ठरवण्याचा अधिकार विकास लवांडे आणि राष्ट्रवादीला कुणी दिला ? – हिंदु जनजागृती समिती
🚩Arrest Vikas Lavande immediately ! – Demand by Hindutva activists
Who gave Vikas Lavande… pic.twitter.com/9BUZL94HJV
— Sunil Ghanwat 🛕🛕 (@SG_HJS) April 23, 2026
In this regard, various H.B.P. Maharajs of the Warkari Sampradaya came together at a press conference in Pandharpur to clarify their stand. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, along with other devout Hindu organisations extended support this stand of the Warkari Sampradaya.
The Samiti stated that the allegations against the Warkari Sampradaya are effectively an attack on Hindu saints, Hindutva, and Dharma. It condemned the deliberate attempt to create divisions within Hindu society and insult the saint tradition.
Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, HJS organiser for Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, demanded that Vikas Lavande be arrested immediately.
Present at the press conference were Shri. Shrikant Pisolkar (Vidarbha Coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti), Shri. Uday Maha (Coordinator, Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti), Shri. Rajubhau Manjulekar (District President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad), Shri. Arvind Dethe (President, Puratan Mahadev Mandir), H.B.P. Umesh Maharaj, and Shri. Shriram Pandey (President, Hindu Mahasabha), among others.
Silence of the NCP on the ‘real infiltrators’ – ‘the urban naxals’
In recent years, ‘urban naxals’ have infiltrated the Wari in a planned manner through the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti and so-called “progressive” elements to influence the Wari. Attempts are made to present the Wari as “secular”, by distorting abhangs of Saints. Also, by organising initiatives like “Samvidhan Dindi” (Constitution procession) they try to mislead the Warkaris who already behave according to the Constitution. Are these people ever seen conducting programs like ‘Constitutional Eid’ on the day of Eid or ‘Constitutional Christmas’ during Christmas? Such actions are misleading devotees and represent the “real infiltration” into the Wari. On this, the NCP leaders conveniently maintain silence.
Call to protect tradition
The Wari is a sacred religious tradition rooted in devotion to Shri Vitthal and the saint lineage; it is not a secular procession. It must not be altered or diluted under external influence.
An appeal was made to all Warkari devotees, H.B.P. Maharajs, and devout Hindus to unite and raise their voices against any perceived attacks on Dharma.
HJS and other Hindu organisations reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the sanctity of the Warkari tradition and preventing such influences. They also warned that if Vikas Lavande does not publicly apologise, strict action, including arrest, should be taken by the State Government.