Rahul Gandhi faces BJP backlash on Shivaji Maharaj post!

Rahul Gandhi’s word choice was criticized by Mumbai BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, who said that “shradhanjali” is not acceptable during such events.

Mumbai: Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP, was charged by the BJP on Wednesday with showing disrespect to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by doing “shradhanjali” (homage) on his birthday rather than the traditional “Patanjali” (respectful tribute).

Rahul Gandhi’s word choice was criticized by Mumbai BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, who commented that “shradhanjali” is not acceptable for such events.

Mr. Bhatkhalkar ordered that Mr. Gandhi immediately take down his posting on social networking platform X or suffer legal repercussions for allegedly intentionally or inadvertently insulting Maharashtra’s pride.

Mr. Gandhi’s post on X in Hindi, which stated the politician was giving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj “sadar naman and vinamra shradhanjali” upon the occasion of the anniversary of his birth, was the source of the issue.

“Maharashtra’s dignity has been insulted once more by Rahul Gandhi. It is not merely an error to use “shradhanjali” rather than “adaranjali.” Rahul Gandhi repeatedly shows his disdain for Maharashtra’s iconic leaders, whether on purpose or accidentally. Mr. Bhatkhalkar told a Marathi news channel, “It’s an important matter.”

The Maharashtra BJP unit brought up the matter on X as well, charging the Congress with exploiting Shivaji Maharaj’s name for its political ends. “Hindus are going to never forget Congress for this,” the BJP had written in the blog post.

“Rahul Gandhi purposefully displayed his perversity on Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary. Whenever it exploits Shivaji Maharaj towards its political ends, the Congress is once again exposed,” the BJP said.

Congress state spokesperson Atul Londhe responded to the critique by asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously used “shradhanjali” during his Shiv Jayanti speech.

“If the BJP believes using ‘shradhanjali’ is an insult, will members demand an apology from Modi as well?” Mr. Londhe inquired.

He said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was frequently treated disrespectfully by the BJP.

“They discuss honoring Shivaji Maharaj, however, what became of the monument that Modi had dedicated in Malvan (Sindhudurg district)? It fell apart. What became of Modi’s ‘jalpujan’ for the magnificent memorial in the Arabian Sea? Mr. Londhe claimed that not a single brick had been put.

According to a Congress spokesperson, Shivaji Maharaj was humiliated by BJP officials, including erstwhile Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

“The BJP has disregarded Maharaj’s legacy and exploited him for political ends on several occasions. When will they say they’re sorry for what they did? Mr. Londhe inquired.