Row over Sharad Pawar’s Shivaji comment

Mumbai: Differences have emerged within the world of historians over ascribing the title of ‘Gau Bramhan Pratipalak’ (saviour of cows and brahmins) to King Shivaji, the 17th century warrior king and founder of Maratha empire, sparking off a political controversy in Maharashtra. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has kicked off the debate saying it would be ahistorical to call the king ‘Gau Brahman Pratipalak’. Instead, Mr Pawar said he supported calling the Maratha king “Kulvadi Bhushan Bahujan Pratipalak” (pride of farmers and saviour of Bahujans). Many see Mr Pawar’s comment as his attempt to consolidate all anti-Brahmin castes and forces in the state.

Mr Pawar made the statement on Wednesday in Pune while launching a biography of Shivaji.

Maharashtra has witnessed various debates related to Shivaji Maharaj. While a large section in the state feels calling Shivaji ‘Gau Bramhan Pratipalak’ is a Hindutva plan to project Shivaji as anti-Muslim, supporters of the move feel this would be an apt moniker for the Maratha king.

‘Shiv Charitra,’ the book that was launched on Wednesday, is written by Shrimant Kokate, an established writer known for backing pro-Maratha organisations.

During the function, Mr Pawar further said, “Shivaji was never anti-Muslim. He killed Afzal Khan because Khan was trying to damage the Maratha state and not because he was Muslim.” Mr Pawar also claimed that the syllabus in schools regarding the history of Shivaji has always been crafted in the wrong way.

As expected, Mr Pawar’s statements kicked off a controversy. Many see it as his attempt to consolidate all anti-Brahmin castes and forces in state.

After losing elections in 2014, Mr Pawar is said to be trying to establish a Maratha-OBC-Muslim caste equation to consolidate his base.

Prakash Bal, a political observer, said, “What Mr Pawar said may have historical importance. But at the same time, his attempt to consolidate Maratha votes is not hidden. In Maharashtra, Shivaji has been used for political purpose by one and all. This is one more example in this direction.”

Back story

Many historians have objected to calling Shivaji ‘Gau Bramhan Pratipalak’. According to them, the term is ahistorical and was never used during the time of Shivaji. They also believe that Shivaji was a king for all and not confined to one caste. They also feel that this term shows Shivaji as communal and is therefore allegedly being used as a divisive term.

The debate

For :
Historian Pandurang Balkavade: “Nothing wrong in calling Shivaji Gau Bramhan Pratipalak”
Anant Dale (president of Brahman Mahasangh, Pune): This is political mischievousness of some people and (there’s) no historical support to disown (the title).

Against:
Social reformer Mahatma Phule had called Shivaji 'Kulvadi Bhushan Bahujan Pratipalak' which means the farming community's pride and the bahujans' saviour.
Historian T.S. Shejvalkar: This is an ahistorical term.
Historian Jayasingrao Pawar: No proof of this term was in use in the time of Shivaji himself.