Rohit Pawar invokes Shivaji Maharaj to challenge BJP governance

As thousands gathered to mark the 353rd anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation, Nationalist Congress Party MLA Rohit Pawar steered the commemoration toward contemporary politics. He drew a sharp parallel between the Maratha king’s egalitarian legacy and what he characterized as the authoritarian nature of the current BJP administration.

Addressing the Shivrajyabhishek ceremony, Pawar argued that the spirit of the 17th-century sovereign remains a necessary counterweight to modern governance, which he likened to the historical Mughal rule. The event served as both a tribute to the monarch crowned on June 6, 1674, and a platform for political critique. To manage the high-profile observance, local authorities deployed over 1,200 police personnel to ensure order throughout the proceedings. Shivaji’s historical defiance of Mughal authority continues to serve as a potent symbol for opposition leaders seeking to frame current legislative struggles within the context of regional historical identity.