Political Storm Over Shastri’s Statement A political controversy erupted in Maharashtra on Saturday after Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Krishna Shastri sparked outrage with remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a dharmasabha in Nagpur. The claims, which suggested Shivaji once placed his crown at the feet of Samarth Ramdas and sought to step aside from governance, drew sharp criticism from political leaders, historians, and members of the Nagpurkar Bhosale royal lineage. The incident has intensified debates over historical narratives and the role of spiritual leaders in shaping public discourse. The controversy centers on an anecdote Shastri shared during the dharmasabha, where he described Shivaji, exhausted by years of warfare, as having placed his crown at Ramdas's feet and expressed a desire to relinquish his royal duties. According to Shastri, Ramdas refused to remove the crown, urging Shivaji to continue his reign. Historians have dismissed the account as lacking documentary evidence, with critics arguing that such narratives risk distorting the historical legacy of Shivaji, a revered figure in Indian history. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis swiftly condemned the remarks, stating there is no historical record to support the claim. "What's available in authentic texts does not mention any such episode," Fadnavis said, emphasizing the importance of relying on verified historical sources. He also addressed Shastri's comments about dedicating a child to the RSS, noting that spiritual leaders often express views in specific contexts and should be interpreted accordingly. Members of the Nagpurkar Bhosale royal lineage, including Mudhoji Raje Bhonsale, condemned the remarks as "unfortunate" and "factually incorrect.#devendra_fadnavis #chhatrapati_shivaji_maharaj #bageshwar_dham #dhirendra_krishna_shastri #nagpurkar_bhosale
