BJP has strongly objected to NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad’s remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and termed it insulting to the great warrior. The BJP leader demanded Awhad apologize for the remarks, or they would protest. The controversy has attracted a lot of wrath against Awhad from all sections.
Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) protested near the NCP office in Mumbai demanding an apology from Jitendra Awhad, later they were detained by the police. BJYM Mumbai President Tajinder Singh Tiwana has challenged that if Jitendra Awhad does not apologize, he will be hit with slippers wherever he goes.
BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar said the remarks were insulting to the work done by the King. Padalkar said Shivaji Maharaj was great because he was courageous and fought bravely for the cause, not because of his enemies.
Padalkar was referring to a controversial video of Awhad speaking on Shivaji Maharaj in which he said the King was known because of his opponents Afzal Khan, Shahiste Khan and Aurangzeb.
“It is sad that Jitendra Awhad perceives Shivaji Maharaj with a biased lens. It’s like saying Pawar Kaka (Sharad Pawar) was the chief minister because of Dawood Ibrahim (underworld don). It was belittling Maharaj’s courage and efforts for the protection of Hindus,” Padalkar tweeted.
In the video of Awhad shot in Pune, he says “Shivaji Maharaj was known because Afzal Khan was there, Shahiste Khan and Aurangzeb were there.” The remarks from Awhad came in the context of the BJP’s statement to remove a certain part from the history textbooks.
BJP leadership meanwhile has asked its cadre to condemn the statement by Awhad and be aggressive against the leader. The leadership said that any adverse remark on Shivaji Maharaj would not be taken lightly and Awhad would be compelled to apologize for the statement. The BJP cadre has planned to protest across Maharashtra against Awhad and put pressure on the leader to apologize.
