Mumbai: A major controversy has erupted after Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, claimed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj felt tired from continuous battles and approached Samarth Ramdas Swami, removed his crown, and placed it at the saint’s feet, asking him to take over the administration of the kingdom.
He further sparked debate by advising Hindus to have four children, suggesting that one should be dedicated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
The controversy is particularly sensitive as the remarks were made in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat during a function at Nagpur on Friday.
Opposition leaders have launched a scathing attack on both Shastri and the ruling Mahayuti government for remaining silent during the speech.
The Congress party leaders, including Vijay Wadettiwar and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Harshavardhan Sapkal, condemned the statement as a “distortion of history”.
They argued that Shivaji Maharaj never “tired” of fighting for Swarajya and termed the narrative of surrendering the state to Ramdas Swami as historically baseless.
Congress has demanded Shastri’s arrest for insulting the state’s icon.
Wadettiwar added that it is a disgrace that such statements were made while the Chief Minister and Union Ministers were at the state event.
He questioned why they were silent and asked whether the Bharatiya Janata Party agrees with the narrative that Shivaji Maharaj surrendered his crown.
He further said that this is a systematic attempt to lower the stature of their deity, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and that it will not be tolerated.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticised Bageshwar Baba’s statement, calling it “historically inaccurate” and stating that it distorts the facts.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that first, a statue collapsed in Malvan, in the coastal Sindhudurg district, due to corruption, and now outsiders are being brought in to insult their history.
He added that Shivaji Maharaj was the sovereign ruler who established Swarajya, and that suggesting he gave his kingdom to anyone else is a historical sin.
He further alleged that the Mahayuti government is providing a platform for these insults.
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) legislator Rohit Pawar remarked that it was painful that, while Bageshwar Baba was allegedly insulting Shiv Chhatrapati, the state rulers were present on stage.
He said a ban should be imposed on Bageshwar Baba in Maharashtra and that he should not be seen in the state again, otherwise it would cost both him and the government dearly.
He added that he does not think the government will take action, and therefore, the Shiv-loving public must decide whether to tolerate and ignore or to teach a lesson.
Another Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) legislator, Jitendra Awhad, demanded an unconditional apology from Shastri.
He stated that historical records from the 17th century prove that Shivaji Maharaj and Ramdas Swami’s interaction was limited and did not involve the surrender of the throne.
On the other hand, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is currently in damage-control mode, attempting to distance the administration from Shastri’s statement while defending the religious event.
Responding to the row, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that such narratives lack historical backing.
He stated that many folktales and stories circulate, but as far as documented history is concerned, there is no evidence of such an incident.
He added that while people may have different ways of expressing devotion, it is important to rely on authentic historical records of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life.
He further noted that saints and sages express their views from time to time, and it is important to understand their perspectives properly.
He said that Bageshwar Baba’s underlying intent was to highlight that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is an organisation that has kept Hindu culture and Sanatan traditions alive and energised.
He added that the message was that every household should have at least one son who is a part of the Sangh.
(IANS)
