Blitz Bureau
MUMBAI: The ongoing verbal duel between leaders of the NDA alliance and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Malvan of Sindhudurg on August 26 has intensified, with the names of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar being dragged into the debate.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis invoked Nehru, accusing India’s first Prime Minister of insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji in his book, “Discovery of India”. However, the MVA staged a “Jode Mara (hit with a shoe)” protest here on September 1 demanding the arrest of those responsible for the statue collapse.
“The agitation is purely political. The MVA and Congress have never respected Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Nehru ji insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in “Discovery of India”. Will Congress and MVA apologise for it,” Fadnavis asked.
The deputy CM also criticised the Congress for perpetuating the false notion that Shivaji Maharaj looted Surat, stating that Shivaji only collected money for Swarajya but never looted the common people.
The Congress dismissed Fadnavis’s claims as misinformation. “In 1936, Pandit Nehru wrote to historian PR Devgirikar, seeking references, and corrected the book in its second edition. Nehru accepted his mistake and made corrections because he had written the first edition from prison without adequate resources,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera countered.
Meanwhile, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with VD Savarkar. “It is said that PM Modi has apologised for the statue collapse, but there has been no apology for the comment on Savarkar. What is the topic here? How can Shivaji Maharaj and Savarkar be compared,” Pawar said.
Speaking at a function at the YB Chavan Centre, Pawar accused Modi of promoting false narratives and trying to deflect criticism with apologies. Last week, during a foundation-laying ceremony for Vadhvan port in Palghar district, PM Modi said, “For me, my colleagues, and everyone, Shivaji Maharaj is not just a king but a revered figure… Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity.”
The PM also remarked, “We are not the ones who constantly insult and abuse Veer Savarkar, hurting the sentiments of patriots. Despite this, they refuse to apologise and instead head to court,” targeting Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who allegedly criticised Savarkar and refused to apologise.
