BJP distances itself from Modi-Shivaji comparison in book as protests heat up

BJP leader Jay Bhagwan Goyal, whose book 'Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi' sparked a backlash from opposition parties in Maharashtra, said he would 'revise' parts of it.

BJP's Jay Bhagwan Goyal at the launch of his book | @JaiBhagwanGoyal | Twitter

Pune/New Delhi: The NCP and the Sambhaji Brigade held protests in Pune Monday against a book which compares Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The book titled “Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi” has been written by BJP’s Jay Bhagwan Goyal.

The NCP protest was held outside Lalmahal area here.

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the glorious history” of the Maratha emperor, Sambhaji Brigade functionary Santosh Shinde said the book should be withdrawn in 48 hours, failing which more agitations would follow.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.

However, the BJP Monday said the party has nothing do with its publication and told that it represents the author’s personal opinion.

BJP media co-incharge Sanjay Mayukh told reporters that the book’s author Jay Bhagwan Goyal, has also expressed his willingness to withdraw those parts of the book which a section of society has found objectionable.

Goyal told PTI 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.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut demanded that it be banned and asked the warrior king’s descendants to clarify their stand over the issue.