STATING that it was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who gave the call for ”sarva dharma sambhav” (secularism),” BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale Saturday urged the PM Modi-led government to hold a special session of Parliament and enact a law against hurling insults at national icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He added if a special session was not called, it would “mean they desire for the insults to be heaped on the Maratha warrior kings”.
”If they (the Centre) do not want to convene the special session, it would mean they want, from the bottom of their heart, that the insults be heaped upon Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… And then people should show them their place,” said Udayanraje, the direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, after paying respects at the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on his 336th death anniversary at Vadu Budruk in Pune district Saturday.
When approached for comment, Udayanraje told The Indian Express, “I have not criticised the central government. I have placed the facts before the people… I hope the government will convene a special session to enact alaw to stop the repeated insults at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
Responding to Udayanraje’s attack on the government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj is our deity. We will do everything possible to keep his honour. Udayanraje has every right to ask the government questions. His only demand is we shoud take strict action against those who insult Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. And we will do that.”
Fadnavis added his government will take action against those who demand proof from descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The CM was indirectly referring to a demand made by Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut a couple of years ago.
“The political parties mouth words like pillar of strength, yugpurush, mahapurush for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, but not a single rupee has been spent to set up an international-level memorial for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… Till date, a government-approved history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj has not been published. Because of this, people take liberty through cinema and writing and spread wrong history… The censor board should have historians which will help avoid cause bitterness in society after a film is released,” the BJP MP said.
Udayanraje said it was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who brought forth the idea of secularim. “It is ‘sarva dharma sambhav’ which will keep the country united. It is ‘sarva dharma sambhav’ which will take the country on the path of secularism. And that is why India will emerge as the super power… Shivaji Maharaj brought people of all religions together. It was Shivaji Maharaj who brought forth the idea of people’s participation in governance. It means Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of democracy.”
Story continues below this ad
While questioning how long should insults towards national icons be tolerated, Udayanraje said, “We have not seen God. But in the form of Shivaji Maharaj, our ancestors got the opportunity to see God. Shivaji Maharaj was a yugpurush and the same yugpurush is now being targeted, made fun of and is being repeatedly insulted. Cheap remarks are being made against our national icons. How long are we going to tolerate such insults ? There are laws to protect the image of national icons born after Shivaji Maharaj. However, despite call from different quarters, including myself, a law has not been enacted to stop the insults being heaped on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajmata Jijau and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. To make a law, there is no need for budgetory provision.”
Udayanraje said he need not make the same demand over and again. ”Don’t they understand ? Are they kids ? Insulting statements are disturbing peace and leading to violence. Can’t they see when the insults are hurled ? Violence take place, people lose their lives. Who is responsbile for this ? If they don’t pass the law, they all be responsbile for whatever happens.
The BJP MP said he has already informed Home Minister Amit Shah about the need to convene a special session. “But these are not things that need to be told. All this should come from the bottom the heart. Like the MCOCA Act and the Atrocity Act, who is stopping them from making a similar law ? The law should stipulate strict punishment like for 10 years on those who insult Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… but such a law has not been passed,” he said.
Udayanraje said political parties have also been demanding such a law. “The political parties say Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our diety. Then, why did they not pitch for a law? Do they feel like Shivaji Maharaj should be insulted? I don’t think they feel so… But they should show their intention through their action by getting a law enacted.”
Story continues below this ad
Udayanraje said those who keep Aurangzeb’s photo on their WhatsApp status, they should be sent to other countries. “He (Aurangzeb) does not deserved to be glorified,” Udayanraje said.
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
