Shivaji is a great icon in Maharashtra. Different sections of society have given him very high status, though for diverse reasons. Folklores about him abound in the state. His statues, popular songs on him are very prevalent. These folk songs (Powadas) praise his multifarious actions. So it was no surprise that when Jayabhagwan Goyal, released his book, ‘Aaj ka Shivaji: Narendra Modi’, at religious-cultural meet organized by Delhi BJP, there was a strong resentment in Maharashtra. Various leaders from Maharashtra were furious. The Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut challenged the Shivaji’s descendent, Sambhaji Raje who is in BJP and is member of Rajya Sabha, to resign on the issue. Sambhaji Raje in turn stated that "We respect Narendra Modi, who was elected as the prime minister of the country for the second time. But neither (Narendra) Modi nor anybody else in the world can be compared with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,"
Not to be left behind Jitendra Awhad of NCP felt Modi-BJP are insulting the pride of Maharashtra. It is not the first time that controversy is erupting around the Maharashtra warrior of medieval period. Earlier we had seen Sambhaji Brigrade demanding the ban on James Laine book, Shivaji: ‘A Hindu King in an Islamic Kingdom’, for its objectionable content. Bhandarkar Institute in Pune, which had helped James Laine in his research, was also vandalized. At another level there was a talk that Babasaheb Purandare, a Brahmin, who has written some popular material on Shivaji will be made as the Chairman of the committee for statue of Shivaji. Maratha Mahasangh and Shiv Dharm officials objected to a Brahmin heading the committee for a statue for the Maratha warrior. The caste angel in Shivaji’s case is coming to the fore from quite some time.
While there is no dearth of controversies around Shivaji, it is also true that each political tendency has created Shivaji’s image from their political point of view. Who was the real Shivaji, is the question. One can see two clear streams of projection in this matter. On one hand there is an attempt to present Shivaji as the anti Muslim King, a king who was respecting Cows and Brahmins (Go Brahman pratipalak). This view was brought forward from the times of Lokmanya Tilak and picked up by Hindu nationalists, who have been looking for icons in history to suit their political agenda. Nathram Godse, while criticizing Gandhi says that Gandhi’s nationalism was dwarf in front of the one of Shivaji or Rana Pratap.
In tune with this the Hindu nationalists are promoting both these as icons of Hindu nationalism and giving anti-Muslim slant to the whole discourse. This discourse also hides in this the Brahmanical agenda of Hindu nationalism as Cows and Brahmins are presented as the central object of veneration by Shivaji. This image of Shivaji fits well into the current agenda of Hindu nationalists, being spearheaded by RSS Combine.
It is because of this that for seeking votes in Mumbai Narendra Modi on the eve of 2014 elections stated that Shivaji attacked Surat to plunder the treasury of Aurangzeb. This also presents Shivaji-Aurangzeb, Shivaji-Afzal Khan interactions as battle between Hindus and Muslims. The truth is that Surat was plundered for its wealth as it was a rich port city and Bal Samant’s book on the topic gives in depth description of the same. It is noteworthy that Shivaji began his real career of conquest in 1656 when he conquered Javli from the Maratha Chief Chandra Rao More. He took over the treasures of this kingdom. That it was not a Hindu Muslim battle becomes clear when we know that in confrontation with Aurangzeb it was Mirza Raja Jaisingh who was negotiating and engaging with Shivaji on behalf of Aurangzeb. And Shivaji had Muslim officers like Kazi Haider as confidential secretary and many Muslim Generals in his army.
Darya Sarang was chief of armor division, Daulat Khan was in-charge of his naval division; Ibrahim Khan was another general of significance in his army. This mixed up administration just shows that the kings were not having Hindu or Muslim administration depending on their religion. In the confrontation between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, Rustam-e-Jaman was Shivaji’s side and Afzal Khan had Krisnaji Bhaskar Kulkarni on his side.
As far as Shivaji’s popularity is concerned it was due to his being a King with welfare of his subjects in his mind. He lightened the burden of taxation on the average peasants, and reduced the domination of landlords over the serfs. This picture of Shivaji is well documents in the booklets by Com. Govind Pansare (Who was Shivaji) and Jayant Gadkari (Shivaji: Ek Lok Kalyankari Raja- Shivaji: King doing People’s Welfare). He did not belong to the warrior caste so Brahmins had refused to coronate him, for which purpose Gaga Bhatt a Brahmin from Kashi was brought in with heavy fees. Teesta Setalvad’s hand book on History for teachers underlined this fact.
Today while BJP-Brahmanical forces want to present Shivaji as worshipper of Brahmins and cows, the non upper caste have seen through the game. As such it was Jotirao Phule who brought forward the caste angel of Shivaji as he wrote Powada (Poem) in his honor and today dalit Bahujan are not toeing Hindu Nationalist projection on the issue.
The likes of Jayabhagwan Goyal of BJP as such are trying to give two messages through such attempts. One hand they want to paint Shivaji in anti Muslim and Brahmanical color, they also want to give the subtle message of similarity of this presentation of Shivaji with what Modi is doing. Non BJP forces have seen this game and want to present the other picture of Shivaji, which was highlighted by the likes of Jotirao Phule and which today many of those standing for rights of dalit-Bahujan are trying to articulate. The criticism of the said, book, since withdrawn is on these twin aspects. One about the picture of Shivaji who was concerned about welfare of the farmers, and two his respect for people of all religions.
Comments
Dear Viren there is nothing hell in your religion, thats the reason they are coming towards islam
very funny.
Dear All,
Please note few of these points about Islam.
Wish you all the best. May God bless you with happiness and good health always and you lead a happy life forever. Our prayers are with you. But try to keep away from unnecessary things and lead a simple life.
Bro.. its other way round. Hindu girls are falling love with handsome guys and beautiful religion
This is called true Islam. When 27 Karsevaks like Balbir Singh can embrace Islam , you just imagine the power of Islam.
Mix equal quantity of love and jihad in a cup and drink it...
and dont forget to buy burnol to cool off your bloody b***
Read the quran with translated original (not chaddis version). U Will end up in Reverting Islam.. In Sha Allah.
In the Quran the chilling & fearful explanation of Hell fire & HELL is there to those who reject ONE CREATOR and associate partners with him and worship all those demi-gods.
LOVE of His True last messenger & ONE CREATOR is the only way to escape from the HELL fire and attain HEAVEN.
JIHAD – constant struggle with oneself to be obedient to God, struggle (Jihad) against oppression of all kinds unleashed by enemies of humanity.
It is human nature to search for truth and aspire purity rejecting all manmade, false, ungodly beliefs & customs. No force on the earth can stop this and that is the reason thousands are attracted on daily basis to the Religion of Peace & Truth - ISLAM.
How long will YOU ignorants blame love jehad.. We request you to OPEN the QURAN (the quranproject) online and check what is written about love jehad... Unless YOU learn about quran .... YOU are following the RSS commandments and singing the same tone (it's love jehad) since years... When U guys open up your God given intellect.. Dont be SLAVES of RSS ... Use your intellect to know WHY PEOPLE are REVERTING to ISLAM... instead of blaming and licking the politicians and the haters of Islam.
This all happens because you bloody morons donot understand what is love and care all about.
Go drink sleep on streets, make your wife & childrens (some people dont have that too) wait home, come home next morning once again in Bar... Your life begins and Ends in BAR & Restaurent.
Dear Brother Study about Islam than you come to know what the hell is there in Islam (Alhamdulillah).
Congrats Shoaib
There are many cases like this. They all get converted into islam. There is racket to do conversion. Should stop this.. Stop Love Jihad
Stockholm syndrome by love jihad.. She may not feel trapped now. Later she feels that
Media highlighting only if anybody comes to Islam.. Pleasing minority
We wont care, if she got converted into christianity or other religion. Media giving unwanted prominants to some rubbish news. They are making controversy
Is that an important news
This is called love jihad. These muslim men make friendship with beautiful Hindu girls, make them fall in love with them. After wedding blackmail them to become Muslims. Need to put an end to this ugly practice at the earliest. What the hell is there in that religion.
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