State government refuses to bow down to opposition pressure, confers Maharashtra Bhushan award to Purandare.
The Maharashtra government has honoured octogenarian historian Babasaheb Purandare with the Maharashtra Bhushan award despite facing stiff resistance from opposition parties like Congress and NCP. NCP chief Sharad Pawar questioned the government’s decision by saying that Purandare is not a ‘historian’. Pawar also added that he had read Purandare’s books but he doesn’t support his derogatory writing. Former NCP Minister Jitendra Awhad had urged the government to withdraw the award. NCP leaders also alleged that Purandare had distorted history and tarnished Chhatrapati Shivaji’s image by casting aspersions on his biological parentage in the context of the role played by his guru Dadaji Konddev. Several Maratha groups have been opposing the award to Purandare.
Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis said, “People are indulging in politics in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. First recognise the true Shivaji and the work done by him and later pass comments. He was known for his administrative skills and is an inspiration for all of us. We have taken a right step to honour Babasaheb Purandare.”
Education Minister, Vinod Tawde said, “I had read Mr Purandare’s books. He has made a vital contribution to the literature in the state and his books are very popular.”
Industries Minister, Subash Desai said, “I am pleased to hear that the state government has conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan award to Babasaheb Purandare. He is an inspiration for all of us.”
Slamming critics opposing the government’s decision to confer Maharashtra’s highest award on Babasaheb Purandare, Shiv Sena heaped praises on the historian crediting him for instilling ideals of Shivaji Maharaj among people.
“Shivaji Maharaj has been used time and again in politics but one person who truly understood the ideals of Shivaji and instilled them in people all his life is Purandare,” Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief, Raj Thackeray supported the government’s decision to honour Purandare. He said, “It is Sharad Pawar and certain leaders of BJP behind this controversy. Their main grouse is how can a Brahman Chief Minister bestow an award to Purandare (who is also a Brahmin).”
“Fadnavis is one of the youngest leaders in the party who has been made the CM. Certain BJP leaders are unhappy with this and had deliberately chosen a Brahmin name for this award to create a controversy,” Thackeray added.
MNS activists had burnt the effigy of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, a day after their party president Raj Thackeray accused the Maratha strongman of indulging in “dirty politics” over the state government’s decision to confer the Maharashtra Bhushan award to Babasaheb Purandare.
The Bombay High Court rejected a petition seeking a direction to the state government to withdraw its decision to confer the prestigious “Maharashtra Bhushan” award on veteran historian and writer Babasaheb Purandare.
A bench of justices Naresh Patil and S B Shukare turned down the petition, saying that it was devoid of merits. The judges also imposed costs of Rs 10,000 on the petitioners.
Calling it a “publicity stunt,” state Advocate General Anil Singh said the petition should be dismissed as it was not maintainable.
Sharad Pawar had appealed to everyone to put an end to the controversy. He said, “I can understand that to get noticed you have to drag my name into any issue. But I would like to appeal to all to put an end to this award controversy.”
Babasaheb Purandare is a well-known writer and theatre personality from Maharashtra, known for his ballads and writing on Maratha warrior Shivaji. He is well known for his popular play on Shivaji, Jaanta Raja. He is also known for his significant contribution to the Shiv Sena, along with Bal Thackeray, in the early 70s.
Maharashtra Bhushan is the highest and prestigious award presented annually by the Maharashtra state government since 1996 for significant contribution in various fields.
