The relationship between Maharashtra and Delhi has been strained for decades, akin to oil and water. From the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the times of Yashwantrao Chavan and Sharad Pawar, Delhi has often looked down on Maharashtra.

Historically, Delhi’s leadership has sought to control Maharashtra’s rulers, limiting their influence. Figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar significantly shaped national ideology. However, the Congress party, which held power for seven decades, often suppressed these influential figures' ideologies when they conflicted with Congress’s views.

A prime example is Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, a celebrated Prime Minister known for his book, Discovery of India. Nehru’s portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a “misguided patriot” angered many in Maharashtra. To quell the outrage, Nehru commissioned a statue of Shivaji in Maharashtra, with Yashwantrao Chavan playing a key role in pacifying the public.

The Congress party has also been known for its efforts to undermine Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution, by defeating him twice in Lok Sabha elections. Similarly, the Congress party has consistently disrespected Swatantryaveer Savarkar, with current leaders like Rahul Gandhi continuing this trend.

Maharashtra’s strong ideological stance has always been a threat to Congress’s dynastic politics. Consequently, the party has frequently undermined Maharashtra’s ideologies. For example, Congress-led governments in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have removed statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and there has been opposition to installing new statues or acknowledging Shivaji’s contributions.

Congress leaders have even made derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his descendants. Notably, a former chief minister claimed Nehru was greater than Shivaji, and leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), including Jitendra Awhad, have made offensive statements about Shivaji’s legacy.

Encroachments on historical forts associated with Shivaji Maharaj are increasing, supported by Congress and its allies. Additionally, Sharad Pawar, a prominent NCP leader, has been criticized for his lack of respect towards Shivaji Maharaj’s ideology.

Actor Amol Kolhe, who once promoted Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, has also been criticized for opposing the renaming of Aurangabad and filming romantic scenes on a fort connected to Shivaji. Some historians have even claimed that Shivaji’s lineage was restored due to a dargah at Vishalgad, a view supported by leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Uddhav Thackeray’s support for Congress has led to further criticism, including praise for figures like Aurangzeb, which has been seen as an insult to Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. Congress’s attempts to stop the celebration of Shivaji Jayanti and its opposition to the grand statue of Shivaji Maharaj being built in the Arabian Sea underscore their ongoing disrespect for Maharashtra’s icons.

The Congress party’s long-standing disregard for Maharashtra’s heroes reflects its broader tendency to undermine regional pride and historical legacy. It’s up to the people of Maharashtra to stand firm and honor their rich heritage.

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