Sanjay Raut’s strong threat over book comparing Modi to Shivaji
Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, which are part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, and a BJP MP have criticised a book written by a BJP leader that compares Prime Minister Narendra Modi with warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
s political controversy brews over a new book likening Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Shiv Sena has now issued a warning over the book.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, “If this book is seen in anyone’s hand, they will have to face dire consequences.”
Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, which are part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, and a BJP MP have criticised a book written by a BJP leader that compares Prime Minister Narendra Modi with warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The book titled “Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi” has been written by BJP’s Jay Bhagwan Goyal.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said Goyal had earlier attacked the Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi and abused Maharashtra and the Marathi-speaking people.
“Shabash (well done) BJP!,” he taunted
Talking to reporters, Raut said comparison of Shivaji Maharaj with anyone was “not acceptable”, and the book seemed to be the handiwork of some “bootlickers” to appease the prime minister.
He said the BJP should declare that it has no link with the book, titled “Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi”
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, who is also a descendant of the warrior king, also demanded a ban on the book
“We respect Narendra Modi, who was elected as the prime minister of the country for the second time. But neither Modi nor anybody else in the world can be compared with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said at Sindkhed Raja in Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
He demanded that BJP chief Amit Shah should immediately ban the book, which was published in BJP’s Delhi office.
“People are expressing anger on social media over the book and demanding a ban on it,” Sambhaji Raje said.
BJP says no link to book
The BJP on Monday distanced itself from a book, which has drawn flak from the opposition for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, saying the party has nothing do with its publication and it represents the author’s personal opinion.
BJP media co-in charge Sanjay Mayukh told reporters that the book’s author Jay Bhagwan Goyal, who is a saffron party member, has also expressed his willingness to withdraw those parts of the book which a section of society has found objectionable.
Goyal said that he was willing to revise those parts of the book to which opposition leaders have objected.
“I only wanted to tell readers as to how Modi like Shivaji has worked to take everyone along and also been successful in doing what many considered impossible. If it has hurt sentiments of some people, I am willing to revise those parts of the book,” he said.
Mass protest in Pune
The NCP and the Sambhaji Brigade held protests in Pune on Monday against the book The NCP protest was held outside Lalmahal area in Pune.
While NCP leader Prashant Jagtap condemned the comparison and said it was a move to “erase the glorious history” of the Maratha emperor, Sambhaji Brigade functionary Santosh Shinde said the book should be withdrawn in 48 hours, failing which more agitations would follow.
“Today, the comparison is with Shivaji Maharaj. Tomorrow, in Rajasthan, it might be with Maharana Pratap. It is part of the BJP-RSS agenda to erase the history of great icons,” Jagtap alleged.
