BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan lashed out at Congress and Rahul Gandhi over the recent collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Kesavan accused the Congress and the Gandhi family of always belittling and defaming Shivaji Maharaj.
Kesavan attacked how former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru attacked Shivaji Maharaj in his book “Glimpses of World History.” He said, “Prime Minister Modi unveiled a new Indian Navy flag in 2022, incorporating Shivaji Maharaj’s Raj Mudra. This stands in sharp contrast from that of Nehru who, in his eagerness and desperation, insulted Shivaji Maharaj at every turn in 1934, even extolling Afzal Khan.”
Kesavan elaborated, “In ‘Glimpses of World History,’ Nehru portrayed Shivaji Maharaj in a negative light; his action against Afzal Khan he described in a derogatory light. Kesavan highlighted that Nehru’s view represents a broader Congress mindset that diminishes Shivaji Maharaj’s contributions while favoring historical figures like Afzal Khan, known for atrocities.
He also mentioned that in 1957, Nehru was invited to inaugurate a statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Pratapgarh. However, due to widespread criticism in Maharashtra, Nehru decided not to attend. Kesavan quoted the letter written by the eminent Marathi litterateur SG Bhaveji to Nehru, which he replied to with disdain, stating that Bhaveji did not understand Shivaji’s life.
Further, Kesavan accused Congress of a “double-faced mindset.” According to Kesavan, the Congress of Nehru and the one under Rahul Gandhi have foreign narratives to base their views on India. By contrast, Kesavan praised Prime Minister Modi for setting a cultural renaissance going in India.
Further, Kesavan accused the Congress of demolishing a Shivaji Maharaj statue when in power in Madhya Pradesh. He said, “When the Congress regime was there in Madhya Pradesh. Reports indicate that someone demolished a statue of Shivaji Maharaj. This is part of Congress’s troubling track record.”
Kesavan slammed Rahul Gandhi for attempting to politicize the fall of the Shivaji Maharaj statue. “Rahul Gandhi, after facing three successive election defeats, has turned desperate. He tried to politicize the army, bureaucracy, courts, and now the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. People in Maharashtra know everything, and they will not pardon him and his alliance. The alliance will face defeat and rejection.”
On September 5, Rahul Gandhi visited Maharashtra and attacked the Prime Minister on the issue of the statue collapse. He said, “Prime Minister Modi should apologize, not only to Shivaji Maharaj but to all of Maharashtra. This was a statue he showed off just a few days ago, and in days it fell, insulted Shivaji Maharaj.”
A 35-foot tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the Sindhudurg district, collapsed on 26 August. Prime Minister Modi unveiled it on December 4, 2023, while celebrating Navy Day. The fall of the statue also became even an intense topic of political debate. As some opposition leaders accused the Eknath Shinde-led government of being negligent.
ANI