The relationship between Maharashtra and the central leadership in Delhi has often been strained, with many citizens expressing frustration over what they perceive as Congress’s long-standing disregard for the state’s leaders and ideologies. Historically, prominent figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar have been viewed as embodying Maharashtra’s pride and spirit of independence. However, many believe Congress has consistently undermined these icons whenever their philosophies conflicted with the party’s own stance.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, for instance, described Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a “misguided patriot” in his book Discovery of India, a portrayal that sparked outrage in Maharashtra. The resentment towards Congress is further deepened by the party’s opposition to figures like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Swatantryaveer Savarkar, both of whom faced significant resistance from Congress during their lifetimes. Congress’s defeat of Ambedkar in two Lok Sabha elections and their continued criticism of Savarkar have reinforced the perception that the party has little respect for Maharashtra’s influential leaders.
In more recent times, citizens point to various instances of Congress disrespecting Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, such as the removal of his statues in other states and derogatory remarks made by Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders. These actions are viewed as part of a broader agenda to suppress Maharashtra’s ideologies that challenge Congress’s dynastic politics. Many in Maharashtra now feel that the state’s rich history and the legacy of its great leaders have been consistently insulted by Congress, further straining the relationship between the two.
The sentiment among many in Maharashtra is clear—there is a growing call for the state to reclaim its pride and legacy from those seen as betraying the ideologies of leaders like Shivaji Maharaj.
