Opposition parties’ protest lifting of ban on controversial book on Shivaji

MUMBAI - Opposition parties came together in Mumbai on Monday to protest against the lifting of ban on a controversial book which allegedly carries derogatory references to the legendary Maratha warrior king, Shivaji.

The Supreme Court of India on Friday had lifted the ban on the book ‘Shivaji, Hindu King in Muslim India’, written by an American author James Laine.

The state legislators of Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena shouted slogans and hanged the effigy of Laine in front of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Subhash Desai, the leader of Shiv Sena, slammed the state government for its alleged failure on all fronts and said that they would raise the issue in the Assembly which began its session from Monday.

“The entire opposition has decided to attack them (provincial government) unitedly. Today is the first day (of session) and beginning has been made. The effigy of James Laine has been hanged and we will do (protest) in the House also. The three ministers -Chief Minister, Law Minister and Education Minister have bluffed the people of Maharashtra,” said Desai.

Shivaji established a Hindu Kingdom during 17th century and has iconic status in the region.

He created an independent Maratha kingdom and fought with the ughals to defend his kingdom successfully. He was crowned as hhatrapati of the Maratha Kingdom in 1674. (ANI)