Congress’s Attempt To Sideline Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The Congress party’s relationship with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been controversial due to ideological differences, historical narratives, and political compulsions. Here are some key reasons why Congress has been perceived as having an issue with Shivaji Maharaj:

1. Congress’s Soft Corner for Mughals and Nizams

• Shivaji Maharaj is revered for his resistance against the Mughal Empire and other Islamic invaders, which contradicts Congress’s historical stance of appeasement towards the Mughals and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
• Congress leaders, particularly during the Nehruvian era, glorified Mughal rulers, especially Akbar, while downplaying Hindu resistance leaders like Shivaji Maharaj.

2. Opposition to Hindavi Swarajya

• Shivaji Maharaj established Hindavi Swarajya (Hindu self-rule), which symbolized resistance against foreign rule. Congress got confused it with religious hegemony which was infact what mughals did. Hindavi Swarajya was about Indian civilization and not about religion perse . Mughals were nortorious especially under Aurangzeb to have martyred people for religious beliefs . Even Dara Sikhoh was executed on charges of apostasy though it was to eliminate competition but religious charges were used to do that . Martyrdom of Guru Tej Bhadurji , Shahizades , Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das , Bhai Dayal Das and Chattrapti Sambhaji Maharaj was done after they refused to convert.
• Congress misunderstanding Secularism has been major issue since it’s inception.

3. Erasure of Maratha Contribution

• The Congress-influenced historiography often underplayed the role of the Maratha Empire in weakening the Mughal Empire.
• Instead, it promoted the idea that British rule directly succeeded Mughal rule, ignoring the 150-year Maratha dominance in between.

4. Sardar Patel vs. Nehru on Hyderabad and Shivaji’s Legacy

• Sardar Patel, who admired Shivaji Maharaj’s vision, was instrumental in the liberation of Hyderabad from the Nizam in 1948.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, on the other hand, was hesitant and feared antagonizing Muslims, which aligns with his downplaying of Shivaji’s fight against Islamic rule.

5. Textbook Distortions and Secularism Agenda

• Congress governments, especially under leftist historians, distorted history textbooks by portraying Shivaji as merely a regional king instead of a national hero.
• They also tried to depict Shivaji as “secular,” ignoring the fact that he reinstated Hindu traditions and resisted foreign cultural domination.

6. Attempts to Downplay Shivaji in Politics

• Congress leaders have often been caught making controversial remarks about Shivaji Maharaj.
• Certain Congress factions in Maharashtra have tried to promote figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru while sidelining Shivaji’s legacy.

7. Opposition to Shivaji’s Memorials and Statues

• Congress governments have delayed or opposed large-scale projects honoring Shivaji, including his grand memorial in the Arabian Sea.

Conclusion

Congress’s discomfort with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj largely stems from its ideological inclination towards Mughal glorification, its version of secularism, and its reluctance to acknowledge Hindu resistance against foreign invaders. While Congress leaders occasionally try to appropriate Shivaji for political gains, their historical actions reveal a systematic sidelining of his legacy.