‘Shivaji University’ must be renamed to ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University’

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Mawlas have taken up this campaign

Kolhapur – Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Hindu Rashtra Samnavay Samiti (HRSS) jointly took out a huge rally on 17^th March 2025 to the District Collector’s office here to demand renaming of ‘Shivaji University’ to ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University’.

A memorandum was submitted to the District Administration, along with another memorandum to stop giving funds for the maintenance of Aurangzeb’s tomb and its glorification, and the demand to remove his tomb. Various spiritual organisations, Hindu organisations, political parties, youth committees, social organisations and trade unions joined this rally. Many shops were closed for two hours to participate in the rally. Sanatan Sanstha’s Dharmapracharak Sadguru Swati Khadaye also graced the event with Her presence.

Mr T Raja Singh (BJP MLA from Telangana), Mr Raosaheb Desai (National President of Shri Shivapratishthan Hindustan), Mr Abhay Vartak (Dharmapracharak of Sanatan Sanstha), Mr Sunil Ghanwat (National Coordinator of HRSS), Mr Pramod Patil (Founder of Chhatrapati Group) and the descendants of Mawlas who served in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army expressed their views at the end of the rally. Among the descendants were Mr Anandrao Kashid (descendant of Veer Shiva Kashid), Mr Kunal Malusare (descendant of Sardar Malusare) and the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite. Given ahead are the views of some speakers.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Power of united Hindus will give apt reply to the opposition of progressive factions : Mr T Raja Singh

Today, we have assembled here not only to demand the renaming of Shivaji University, but have come together to protect the identity and glory of Hindus, and to take an oath to establish the ‘Hindavi Swarajya’. This is not just a University, it is our pride. I have come here to throw an open challenge to the progressive factions and secularists who have been trying to prevent the conferring of the ‘Chhatrapati’ title to Shivaji Maharaj. Power of Hindu unity is visible today. There are still many encroachments on Vishalgad in Kolhapur which should be immediately removed by the Government, else Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Mawlas will have to take up this campaign.

On one hand, the Government has no money to give to the temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg District, and on the other, the State Archaeology Department has been spending millions on maintaining Aurangzeb’s tomb at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This will not be tolerated. The money spent by the Government to maintain Aurangzeb’s tomb should be immediately stopped and the tomb should also be removed.

Impose a ban on Comrade Pansare’s book titled Shivaji Kon Hota (Who was Shivaji) ? : Mr Sunil Ghanwat

Instead of referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with respect, who is this Comrade Pansare to write a book ‘Shivaji Kon Hota ?’ Referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in a derogatory manner is an attack on the identity of Hindus and the Government is expected to ban such a book. Terrorist Kasab was tried in the Supreme Court and convicted, still a book titled ‘Who killed Karkare ?’ was written, doubting the credibility of Indian investigation agencies. The true colours of the progressive factions who are supporting this book are now being exposed.

It is unfortunate that on the day of Shiva Jayanti, a demand to give this name has to be made. The opposition is not only to the word ‘Chhatrapati’ but to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself. If Nehru can be called ‘Pandit’, Gandhi can be called ‘Mahatma’, why is there objection to calling Shivaji Maharaj ‘Chhatrapati’ ? In an order issued by the Maharashtra Government in February 2011, it has been mentioned that ‘National heroes and revolutionaries should not be denigrated’. These progressive factions call themselves patrons of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but it is their fake and selected patronage, because these people don’t say a word against the glorification of Aurangzeb’s tomb, and instead, keep Aurangzeb as their status (display picture) on social media.

In Maharashtra, there are Universities with full names as ‘Savitribai Phule Pune Vidyapitha’, ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Vidyapitha’ and ‘Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Krushi Vidyapitha’ and there is no opposition to this; however, when Shivaji University (SU) is to be renamed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University (CSMU), there is an objection. Today, students raise slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of splitting India into pieces, Swami Vivekananda’s statue is desecrated, sweets are distributed after the killing of Indian soldiers by Naxals. Similar things will have to be prevented from happening at CSMU and it will have to be seen that CSMU doesn’t follow the footsteps of JNU. Kolhapur will never tolerate it. The name of SU has to be changed in the current Budgetary session, otherwise, a movement will be undertaken for this.

This fight will go on till the true ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj doesn’t get inculcated in students : Mr Abhay Vartak

People who refer to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with disrespect, are unable to bear renaming of the University. Opposition mainly comes from the progressives, leftists and anti-Hindu factions by fabricating stories around its short name. We will not tolerate their ploy of declaring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a secular king. The State of Chhatrapati was known as ‘Hindavi Swarajya’, but here it is unfortunate that there is not even a saffron flag in front of his statue. Our fight will not be limited to the renaming but will continue till the true ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not inculcated in students.

If Nehru can be called ‘Pandit’, Gandhi can be called ‘Mahatma’, why is there objection to calling Shivaji Maharaj ‘Chhatrapati’ ?