‘Shivaji Maharaj had invaded Bengal’ : Rajdeep Sardesai

• Anti-Hindu journalist Rajdeep Sardesai insults Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to support Mughal brutality

• After public criticism, instead of apologizing, makes a correction that ‘invasion was on Surat, not Bengal’

New Delhi – Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai recently said in a post that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had invaded Bengal. This statement came after the Union Government decided to expose the reality of the Mughal atrocities in NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books. Sardesai, who could not tolerate this, sided with the Mughals and made the above offensive statement against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was speaking on the ‘Democratic News Room’ programme. This time, he referred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a ‘dacoit’ and tried to portray that his army invaded and looted Bengal. After this, when he was heavily criticized on social media, he tried to correct it by posting a correction saying that it was not Bengal but Surat. He did not apologize though.

Rajeep @sardesairajdeep slanders Shivaji Maharaj.

He says "Shivaji raided Bengal. He didn't differentiate between Hindus and Muslims. He looted all people. Just like Mughals" (Timestamp 1.58).

FOOL,

Shivaji Maharaj never set his foot in Bengal. Neither did Shivaji's armies. pic.twitter.com/n3F1pelOT4

— True Indology (@TrueIndology) July 19, 2025

Sardesai said in the revised post, ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did not attack Bengal, but Surat. It was an attack on the Mughal Empire.’

Correction: Pl note: the great Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did NOT raid Bengal But attacked Surat in strategic raids that struck at Mughal power. It was the subsequent Maratha armies which attacked Bengal repeatedly between 1742 and 1751. Apologies for my mistake. (reference…

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 19, 2025

Sardesai also described Shivaji Maharaj as the best ruler of that era and praised his military prowess and public welfare decisions.

Editorial Perspectives

• Such anti-Hindu journalists are constantly trying to demonize Hindus and support Jihadis, pseudo-seculars, religious fanatics, etc. The Government must take concrete action against them.

• Whether Bengal or Surat, how can the invasion be called a ‘loot’ ? The Mughals had looted India. Therefore, getting the wealth back from those who looted India and using it for the benefit of the people is in the interest of public. Sardesai knows this very well but hiding this fact deliberately.