The titles ‘Gobrahmanpratipalak’ and ‘Dharmaveer’ limits Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj : Ajit Pawar, NCP

(Right side) Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Ajit Pawar

Mumbai – Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Ajit Pawar has caused a stir in Maharashtra’s social and political discourse after making a controversial statement in a press conference on 4th January at the opposition’s office in the Legislative Assembly. He said, ‘I would like to say it again that we purposefully call Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Swarajya Rakshak. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is called Gobrahmanpratipalak, but Jyotiba Phule called Shivraya (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) ‘Kulwadi Bhushan’. Just as the title Gobrahmanpratipalak limits Shivray, ‘Dharmaveer’ limits Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’.

Ajit Pawar further said,

1. The Constitution of India has given everyone the freedom to express their opinion. Everyone has freedom of expression and thought. My stand is that Sambhaji Maharaj should be called ‘Swarajya Rakshak’.

2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established Hindavi Swarajya, Sambhaji Maharaj worked to protect that Swarajya. This Swarajya includes people of all castes and religions. I have not spoken any bad words about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje. I am not a historian. I have fixed my stance from my readings. I am not a history researcher. It is not right to heat up the politics of hate for political purposes.

3. Ramdas Swami was considered a Guru in history, but the Government discontinued the ‘Dadoji Konddev’ award when subsequent historical research admitted that ‘Ramdas Swami and Dadoji Konddev were not Gurus’. As Sharad Pawar said, if someone calls Sambhaji Maharaj ‘Dharmaveer’, then it is their thinking.

4. I have not made any controversial statements. The governor, BJP ministers and spokespersons have made controversial statements in the past. I didn’t say anything wrong. Did Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj belong to one religion ? Courage, Dharma, and Culture are implicitly included in the title of ‘Swarajya Rakshak’. Everyone has freedom of thought. I have presented my stance. Those who find it right should accept.

Ajit Pawar changed his statement !

Ajit Pawar earlier said in a press conference that ‘if I have said something wrong, tell me, I will resign’. Following that, he immediately corrected his words and said, ‘Convince me that what I have said is wrong, then I will resign from the post’.

Editorial Viewpoint

The titles of ‘Gobrahmanpratipalak’ and ‘Dharmaveer’ does not limit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj but depict their extensive religious contribution towards Hindu Dharma !