Mumbai, Apr 23 (PTI) Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has threatened the publisher of a book authored nearly four decades ago by communist leader late Govind Pansare, alleging it distorts the history of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and disrespects him.
The Maharashtra Congress, however, claimed it was “open hooliganism” and appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order an inquiry into the matter.
Gaikwad, known for stoking controversies, is heard in an audio clip abusing Prashant Ambi, the publisher of the book ‘Shivaji Kon Hota’ (Who was Shivaji).
The MLA from Buldhana in Maharashtra also claimed Ambi was arrogant and badmouthed him.
“His tongue needs to be ripped off. We cannot read such books that insult Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This book should be destroyed,” Gaikwad claimed.
He admitted that the viral audio clip is of him, but claimed that “they have distorted some words in the clip”.
Gaikwad said his wife got the book on Tuesday, after which he read it. He claimed that the rich history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was distorted, and the Maratha empire founder was addressed disrespectfully.
The book, a short biography on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was authored by Left leader Pansare and first published by Ambi’s Lokvangmay Gruha in 1988. It has since been republished several times.
Pansare was killed allegedly by right-wing activists in 2015.
Gaikwad is not new to controversies. In 2024, he flaunted a tiger tooth worn around his neck and claimed that he had hunted the big cat in 1987.
Last year, Gaikwad had slapped a canteen staff member allegedly for offering stale food at the MLA hostel.
Reacting to the issue, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said Gaikwad shouldn’t dig into past controversies.
Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Harshwardhan Sapkal accused Gaikwad of bringing disrepute to Buldhana district through repeated acts of misconduct, like the incident at MLA hostel canteen, allegedly asking police personnel to wash his car, and now issuing a threat to Ambi.
In a post on X, Sapkal said that Gaikwad, a ruling party legislator who claims to be a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has used abusive language unbecoming of a public representative.
“Looking at the level of his language and abuses, he does not deserve to even take Shivaji Maharaj’s name,” Sapkal said, alleging that such behaviour tarnishes Maharashtra’s cultural and progressive values.
He further said that while threatening Ambi, Gaikwad referred to the fate of Govind Pansare, alleging it as a direct threat to (Ambi’s) life.
Sapkal demanded that the state government immediately provide security to Ambi and that CM Fadnavis order an inquiry into the matter.
He also sought a probe into whether there was any connection between Gaikwad and the killing of Pansare, and urged strict action against the MLA for what he described as “open hooliganism”. PTI PR MR GK
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