“An attempt to belittle the one who laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire and portray him as a helpless warrior” – Atul Shilwant
Mumbai, May 2:
Exactly eight days ago, on April 24, self-proclaimed godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, during the foundation stone laying and Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Bharatdurga Temple in Nagpur, made a controversial statement regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. During his speech, Dhirendra Shastri claimed that, “छत्रपती वीर शिवाजी महाराज जब बहोत थक गए युद्ध करते करते, उनको लगा के हम थक गए, तो एक दिन स्वामी समर्थ रामदास जी के पास गए और उन्होने अपना मुकुट उतारा और कहा की.. हमने बहोत लडाईयां लढ ली, बहोत युद्ध कर लिया.. अब कृपा करो कि अब हमे बहोत लढना नही.. एक बडी दया करो.. ये मुकुट संभालो आप.. ये राज-पाट आप संभालो.. आप की आज्ञा से ही हम चले.. अब हमसे चला नहीं जा रहा ..”
Following this statement, Chh. Shivaji devotees and leaders from various political parties across Maharashtra strongly condemned his remarks. Complaints are being submitted by Chh. Shivaji supporters at various police stations across the state. Social activist and journalist Atul Shilwant also filed a complaint today against Dhirendra Krishna Shastri at Ulwe Police Station, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate. Senior Police Inspector Arjun Ramkrishna Rajane accepted his complaint application.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, Atul Shilwant said, “During a programme held in Nagpur last week, the alleged fraudulent godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Dhirendra Krishna Garg alias Bageshwar Baba, deliberately presented false history regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindavi Swarajya and the king of the people(Rayat). Present on the stage at the time were Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, among others, yet none of them made any attempt to stop him or point out his mistake. The history that you and I studied in school contains no such reference, nor does it exist today. To the best of my knowledge, no such mention exists even in the historical chronicles, records, or letters from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, including even the controversial chronicles. So where exactly did he discover this narrative from?”
For Marathi Article click below link
https://www.maharashtravarta.com/dhirendrashastri/
Shilwant further stated, “The false history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj presented so confidently by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri during his speech appears to be part of a larger conspiracy. Either he himself intentionally presented false history with some ulterior motive, or someone may have instructed him to do so. The statement made by this godman is an attempt to diminish Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A legendary figure like Chh. Shivaji Maharaj, who established Hindavi Swarajya from nothing and expanded his empire through extraordinary courage, bravery, and planned governance during his lifetime, laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire. Yet Dhirendra Krishna Shastri attempted, through his speech, to portray him as small and as a helpless warrior. It appears to me that the intention behind such remarks by this alleged godman and others involved may have been to hurt the sentiments of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj’s devotees like us and create violent unrest, thereby disturbing Maharashtra’s social harmony.”
He further questioned the intent behind Shastri’s statement
Finally, Shilwant said, “Strict legal action must be taken against Dhirendra Shastri and his associates for conspiring to present false history about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Otherwise, it could set a dangerous precedent. In the future, anyone may casually present false history about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or other great historical figures without any basis, which could disturb social harmony and create instability. I have mentioned all these points in my complaint application. I request Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action against individuals like Dhirendra Krishna Shastri and also avoid sharing public platforms with such people in the future.”
Atul Shilwant has expressed doubts over whether the police will register a criminal case against Dhirendra Shastri alias Bageshwar Baba. He warned that if the Navi Mumbai Police fail to register a case against him, they will approach the court. Meanwhile, Dhirendra Shastri has apologised for his statement. It remains to be seen what stand the Navi Mumbai Police will take in this matter.
