Sambhaji Brigade opposes move to award historian

MUMBAI: Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare has found himself in the eye of a political storm, following the BJP-Shiv Sena government’s decision to confer Maharashtra Bhushan, the state’s highest honour, on him.
The Sambhaji Brigade has threatened a stir if the state government doesn’t re-think its decision to confer the award on Purandare. Senior NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, MLA, was the first to slam the government on the issue.However, party president Sharad Pawar has backed the decision. Talking to mediapersons on Monday, Pawar made light of Awhad’s criticism, saying that the NCP MLA had voiced his “personal view”. State NCP president Sunil Tatkare too has backed Purandare’s nomination.
Minister for education and culture Vinod Tawde expressed regrets over the row. “There is no need to politicize the Maharashtra Bhushan award. Purandare has spent his entire life popularizing Shivaji Maharaj. We owe him a big debt,” said Tawde.
The Sambhaji Brigade, which has over the years earned a measure of following among Maratha youths because of its aggressive pro-Maratha agenda and high-decibel rhetoric, thinks that Purandare views Shivaji through his grossly Brahmanical prism.
Many left-secular activists uphold Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s assessment of Shivaji as leader and unifier of the farm labourers, adivasis and the downtrodden. “Purandare may not have done it intentionally. But the Shivaji he has depicted comes across as anti-Muslim and Brahmanical. This is travesty of truth,” said a Marathi writer, requesting anonymity.
For many Marathis, Purandare is a respected name, not only for the passion with which he popularized Shivaji, but also for his refined prose and oratorial skills. “Babasaheb symbolizes the determination and courageous spirit of the Marathi manoos. It is unfortunate that his nomination for the award should trigger a controversy,” said Prakash Paranjpe, former BMC official and cultural activist.