Maharashtra: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari stoked a fresh controversy on Saturday, calling Chhatrapati shivaji Maharaj an โold idolโ.
Addressing a function at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad on Saturday, the Maharashtra governor said, โIf someone asks who your idol is, you donโt have to go out looking for one. You will find them right here in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has become an old idol now, you can find new ones โ from Babasaheb Ambedkar to (Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways) Nitin Gadkari.โ An emotive and iconic figure in Maharashtra, transcending political affiliations, the governorโs remark on the Maratha warrior did not go down well with leaders.
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A spokesperson for the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena condemned the governorโs statement saying he is known to disrespect great leaders.
โChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not only our deity but our source of inspiration. He will always be the idol for all of us,โ Anand Dubey, a spokesman for the Uddhav Sena said in a statement.
โGoing by the governorโs statements, even Lord Ram and Lord Krishna have become old idols. Must we find new deities now to worship?โ Dubey asked, adding that the governorโs statement should be strongly condemned.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by HW News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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