Maharashtra Governor faces flak over remark on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

“I am not attempting to lower the stature of Chandragupta and Shivaji Maharaj. Like a mother plays a key role in shaping her child, a guru has a prominent place in our society,” he added.

Koshyari’s remarks have attracted criticism from political parties and various organisations asking him to offer an apology and asking the Centre to recall him. Activists of Congress, NCP and various organisations such as Sambhaji Brigade and Maratha Mahasangh held protests in various parts of the state condemning Koshyari’s remarks.

BJP MP Udayanaraje Bhosale, who is the direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, asked Koshyari to withdraw his remarks. “Rashtramata Jijau (the Maratha king’s mother) was the guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Yet, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had remarked that Ramdas was the guru of Maharaj. By making such a statement, Koshyari has hurt the sentiments of the followers of Shivaji and of entire Maharashtra. The Governor should withdraw his statement immediately,” he said in a tweet.

Citing the July 2018 order of the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court, NCP MP Supriya Sule said there is no evidence to show that Shivaji Maharaj had ever met Ramdas. “There is also no evidence to show that there was a ‘guru’ and ‘shishya’ relationship between them,” she said.

Maharashtra state Congress Committee Nana Patole said Maharashtra will not tolerate Shivaji Maharaj’s insult and Koshyari should offer an apology for his remarks “He should withdraw his statement and issue a public apology. Koshyari is occupying a constitutional post and is working for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to distort history. Such a person has no moral right to continue on the post. The Centre should recall him as he has tarnished the dignity of the post,” he said.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said Koshyari’s statements have caused widespread anger.