Citing law & order issue, Thane cops deny permission for meet on Shivaji

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad alleged that by denying permission to noted scholars to speak, the state was espousing fascism.

The Thane police have denied permission for a daylong conference planned by 23 social organisations to discuss the need for rewriting history of warrior king Shivaji, to counter the portrayal of Shivaji as a “right wing” anti-Muslim king.

The conference was to be attended among others by former member of the planning commission Bhalchandra Mungekar and historian A H Salunkhe.

“This is the second time in six months that Thane police have declined permission for programmes questioning the wrong portrayal of Shivaji by right wing groups. The police have no qualms in allowing people like Praveen Togadia and Ashok Singhal who openly espouse hatred to hold programmes but it is stopping eminent historians and economists from holding functions,” NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, one of the organisers, claimed.

Awhad alleged that by denying permission to noted scholars to speak, the state was espousing fascism.

In February, the Thane police denied permission for a scholarly discussion on Shivaji and whether his portrayal of being anti-Muslim was correct. The programme was to be organised by NCP corporator Najeeb Mulla.

The Thane police, denying permission to Sunday’s programme, said that they feared there could be a law and order problem if the programme was allowed. Social activists slammed police for not allowing the conference.

“Allowing criminals an open field and not allowing citizens to exercise rights to hold peaceful meetings is betrayal of the constitution. If such things happen, rights of citizens will be limited to paper and we will have a theocratic and dictatorial state,” Former Supreme Court Judge P B Sawant wrote in a letter in support of organizers.

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There has been a feud in Maharashtra over the past year over portrayal of Shivaji in history. Left wing groups and Maratha organizations claimed that the BJP-Shiv Sena government in power was promoting and felicitating historians portraying Shivaji as anti-Muslim. There have also been allegations that the state is keen on building a narrative of Shivaji as a patron of Hindutva ideology and portraying him as anti-Muslim.

Zeeshan Shaikh

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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