‘False’ claims on Chhatrapati Shivaji: NCP demands ‘unconditional apology’ from Jaggi Vasudev

The state has witnessed several controversies surrounding Chhatrapati Shivaji and Saint Ramdas with the right-wing claiming the latter was the ruler’s guru

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad said, "This is an absolutely false and demeaning story that has no truth at all. This is not only an insult to Shivaji Maharaj but also to Maharashtra. We want Sadhguru to tender an unconditional apology at the earliest." Awhad also sought action against him.

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded an “unconditional apology” from Jaggi Vasudev of the Isha Foundation for a video in which he is seen making a “false” and “insulting” claim that Saint Ramdas was Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji’s guru and that it was Ramdas who gave Shivaji his saffron flag.

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, who is also party general secretary, said, “This is an absolutely false and demeaning story that has no truth. This is not only an insult to Shivaji Maharaj but also to Maharashtra. We want Sadhguru to tender an unconditional apology at the earliest.” Awhad also sought action against him.

In a video posted on Jaggi Vasudev’s YouTube channel, he is seen narrating a story about the Maratha king: “He had a guru, whose name was Ramdas. One day, Shivaji was standing in the balcony of his palace. He saw his guru going house to house begging. Then he thought, what is my guru doing begging on the streets? I am a king, my guru cannot be begging on the streets.”

He added that Shivaji sent a chit to the guru and the next day Ramdas came to the palace. “In this chit, Shivaji had written that I am placing my entire kingdom at your feet,” Jaggi Vasudev said.

According to his narration, Ramdas asked Shivaji what the latter was going to do since he was forsaking the kingdom. “Shivaji said: Whatever you do. I want to be around you and serve you,” he continued. The story went on to claim that both went begging together.

“Later, Ramdas gave him the orange cloth and asked him to use it as a banner. And told him to rule the country. But just know that this is not your kingdom. If you know this doesn’t belong to you, you will own it and you will do the best you can for people… So Shivaji always used orange cloth as his banner,” he said.

Awhad said repeated attempts were being made to defame Chhatrapati Shivaji and Maharashtra. “The state government must immediately take action against the individual,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

The state has witnessed several controversies surrounding Chhatrapati Shivaji and Saint Ramdas with the right wing claiming the latter was the ruler’s guru. Several Maratha organisations have denied such claims by pointing out that there is no historical evidence that the king had a Brahmin guru.

Former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, too, had landed in controversy for referring to Ramdas as Shivaji Maharaj’s guru.

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram