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.
Zia-ul Haq, manager of MA Convent School in Baghara locality, was booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and arrested, officials said.
Comments
The Law of ALLAH is should be first preference... Why ! cos he created all that exists and we are his properties... Some people may ignorantly blame as anti national.. But the manager doesnt want to bow to anything except ALLAH...
Why should he bow down to bharth... does it give anything? it doesnt mean i dont love my country.. ofcourse prophet Muhammad pbuh said love your Place.
But many cheddis alwz complain of others when they themselves doing everything against the LaW of the country as well as Law of the CREATOR ...
A time will come where judgment will be given with JUSTICE by the best JUDGE ... that day CRIMINALS will never escape of their dirty POLITICS and DECEPTION>
Worship your CREATOR not his CREATION.
What has been done by the Manger is very wrong not acceptable.
But Don't forget that even RSS don't sing National Anthem even they had not accepted Tri_Colour Indian Flag.
Authorities have to book the manger, Sealing the school is not the solution, let students attend the classes and Teachers do their duties...
All my dear Hindu commentators.
It is very appreciating you expressed your concerns. While commenting, please try to find out what is the reason which indeed prevents them not singing the Jana gana...
There is one main reason, all Muslims and Non-Muslims should understand about a Fundamental point of Islamic teaching.
If there is any teaching which has the most important that is only 1 point. This point has been preached in 1/3 rd of Hold Quran. And the same teaching is in Hadees the book of prophets message.
What is that main message. Perhaps even many Muslims don't know it well.
Please note it is called attributing any qualities or anything to God's quality. That is called against Oneness of God.
Again rewriting the above statement in other way, wholeheartedly accepting, proclaiming that
'There is only 1 God and no other God, nor anything has the quality of God. ' There is only 1 God, no other God, no any power that equates to that 1 and only God.
In contrary if anybody does worship other than that God, or think anything is there having the power OR quality of that God, then that person is committing a grave and UNFORGIVABLE SIN.
This is the biggest and unforgivable sin. This sin can ruin all good deeds of their life for this easy and grave mistake.
Therefore every Muslim should be careful of committing this mistake.
Now coming to our National anthem, the author has escalated the some portion of the anthem, Bharatha to the quality of God.
The intention of Thagorji might have written in good intention. However Muslims are definitely not against him, but the meaning does not allow them to proclaim that sentence.
The same type has been written in VANDE MATARAM SONG.
My dear all Non-Muslims brothers and sisters this is for your clarification and for your knowledge.
Your true well wisher and patriot Indian Muslim.
I don't think this guy had to take it so serious....at least national anthem ko gaane detha...the word vidhata can be kept silent....but don't take it so extreme and defame all together..
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