SHIVAJI MAHARAJ DEVOTEES DEMONSTRATE OVER THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS; A MAHARASHTRA MINISTER PROMISES ACTION

Atul Save, a cabinet minister for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), promised on Sunday to take action against those who had abused Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and members of the Maratha community.

"I assure the followers of Shivaji Maharaj that their demand for action against the ones making remarks on Shivaji, will be conveyed to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," Atul Save said.

Rescue made the aforementioned vow in response to today's protests by Shivaji supporters in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, who chanted outside his home, "Rajyapal hatao, Maharashtra bachao" (remove the governor and save Maharashtra).

The security measures at the Aurangabad office of the Maharashtra minister were strengthened due to the hostile protesters. A member of the Maratha Kranti Morcha (which staged a protest at the minister's place) Vinod Patil said: "We had organized this Dhol Bajao movement has been organised in regard to the manner in which great leaders are being insulted in the state. We talked with Atul Save and he has assured us of action against the ones involved in it."

Patil added that the agitation would move to the streets if their demand was not met. An event at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad on November 19 was the setting for the controversy that the Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari had sparked.

Governor Koshyari said, "If someone asks who your idol is, you don't have to go out looking for one. You will find them right here in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has become an old idol now, you can find new ones -- from Babasaheb Ambedkar to (Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways) Nitin Gadkari."

This claim caused a huge uproar and prompted criticism from both Maratha organisations and opposition politicians. At the Raigad Fort in Maharashtra on Saturday, BJP MP and descendant of Shivaji Maharaj Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle protested against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi over their claimed statements about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

In response to the governor's comments, Udayanraje Bhonsle also sent letters to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for their support in removing him from office. "The statements made by the governor and the spokesperson of BJP are very contradictory to the beliefs of the nation it would only be appropriate if you could take measures to remove the Governor of Maharashtra. Your actions and deliberations in resolving this current standoff would go miles in restoring the confidence of the people of Maharashtra and the nation, that you stand in solidarity with the people's belief and faith in Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. Thanking you," read the letter.