Mumbai: Claims by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, fatigued after multiple battles towards the end of his life, had entrusted the administration of the Maratha kingdom to Saint Samarth Ramdas, have sparked a major political controversy. Opposition leaders have accused him, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of distorting history.Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal accused the preacher of linking Shivaji Maharaj with Ramdas Swami inappropriately. Speaking at an RSS event in Nagpur on Friday, Shastri said that after fighting many battles, Shivaji Maharaj felt exhausted and once approached Samarth Ramdas, offering him his crown and expressing a desire to live a peaceful life. According to Shastri, Ramdas returned the crown and urged him to continue ruling, saying that true service lies in fulfilling one’s responsibilities despite personal fatigue. Calling Shastri a “self-styled godman,” Mr. Sapkal termed the remarks “highly objectionable.” “Even though he made these remarks in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, none of them registered a protest. Insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the national policy of the BJP and RSS, and they do not accept his ideals and contributions. Maharashtra will never tolerate such an insult,” he said. The Congress leader also demanded a public apology from Shastri, BJP leaders, and the RSS chief to the people of Maharashtra. He further claimed that Shivaji Maharaj never met Samarth Ramdas and alleged that the BJP was deliberately trying to portray Ramdas as Shivaji Maharaj’s guru. Amol Mitkari of the NCP also criticised Shastri, stating that Maharashtra would not accept any distortion of Shivaji Maharaj’s history. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Fadnavis said there is no historical record supporting Shastri’s claim. “Many lok kathas (folk narratives) exist about great personalities, and different states have different stories. However, we do not have any record of such claims in Maharashtra,” he said. Shiv Sena leader and Cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat also expressed displeasure about Shastri.s comments.
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Eminent Scholar And Head Of Sree Narayana Gurukula Swami Muni Narayana Prasad Passes Away
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Eminent scholar and head of Narayana Gurukula, Varkala Swami Muni Narayana Prasad passed away owing to age…
