India, March 13 -- Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday called for restraint in public statements, criticizing his cabinet colleague Nitesh Rane for making misleading remarks about Muslims.

He was responding to Rane's recent claim that Muslims were not part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army.

Speaking in Karad, where he paid tribute to former Maharashtra chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan on his birth anniversary, Pawar highlighted the state's history of communal harmony.

"At times, leaders from both sides of the political spectrum make statements that harm Maharashtra's rich cultural legacy. Historically, leaders here have worked to preserve peace and unity among communities," Pawar said.

He further asserted th...