Maha politicos object to Guv’s Shivaji Maharaj reference

Mumbai: A number of Maharashtra politicians, including BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, on Monday took strong exception to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s remark that Samarth Ramdas was the guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Bhosale, who is the descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, said the comment had hurt the sentiments of the Maratha warrior king’s followers and entire Maharashtra, and asked the governor to withdraw it immediately. Koshyari, during a programme in Aurangabad on Sunday, underlined the role of the guru while citing the examples of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chandragupta Maurya.

“Many chakravartis (emperors), maharajas took birth on this land. But, who would have asked about Chandragupta had there not been Chanakya? Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth (Ramdas),” he said.

“I am not questioning the calibre of Chandragupta and Shivaji Maharaj. Like a mother who plays a key role in shaping her child. Similarly, the role of guru (teacher) has a big place in our society,” the governor had said. In a Facebook post on Monday, Bhosale said Ramdas was “never” the guru of the Maratha warrior king and that Koshyari should have made the comment keeping in mind the post he holds. “Rashtramata Jijau (the Maratha king’s mother) was the actual guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.