Daijiworld Media Network – Nagpur
Nagpur, Apr 26: A controversy has erupted over remarks made by Bageshwar Dham head Dheerendra Shastri on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during an event in Nagpur, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties in Maharashtra.
The event, held on Friday, was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Shastri, during his speech, claimed that Shivaji Maharaj had once requested Samartha Ramdas Swami to take charge of his kingdom.
The statement, which circulated widely on social media, triggered backlash from the opposition, who termed it historically unfounded and offensive.
State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal criticised Fadnavis for not objecting to the remarks at the event and demanded legal action against Shastri.
“We protest the baseless statement. We equally criticise those who remained silent despite being present. Their silence shows support for the statement against Shivaji Maharaj,” Sapkal said.
Responding to the controversy, Fadnavis said Shastri’s remarks were not supported by historical evidence. He described the claim as part of folklore.
“We have folklores on historic personalities. Such tales exist in different regions. There are similar narratives related to the Ramayana and Mahabharata as well,” he told reporters in Nashik.
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), an ally of the Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, also condemned the remarks.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that Shastri had previously made controversial statements about Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar, raising concerns over repeated comments on revered figures from Maharashtra.
“Such statements create doubt whether there is a deliberate attempt to undermine the importance of Maharashtra’s icons,” he said.
He further expressed disappointment that the remarks were made in the presence of state ministers and demanded strict action.
“Such people should be banned from entering the state, but such action cannot be expected from the current government,” Pawar added.
The incident has intensified political tensions, with opposition parties accusing the ruling dispensation of remaining silent on remarks they consider disrespectful to historical and cultural figures.