Has the 'casteless' deity, Vitthal of Pandharpur, become a political tool? If so, then, a progressive Maharashtra could be seen turning regressive. The state's political culture took yet another beating on Sunday when chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had to call off his visit to the holy town for Vitthal darshan, following a threat from a section of Maratha community, that they would not allow him to worship Vitthal in the traditional mahapuja on Ashadhi Ekadashi early Monday morning.

The successive heads of state and their wives have been presiding over the mahapuja for years together. A peasant couple is selected from among the pilgrims (warkaris) to share the honours with the state's first family. Pandharpur holds a unique position as far as Hinduism's all-inclusive narrative is concerned.