Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Panaji: Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest outside the residence of renowned Konkani writer Uday Bhembre in Margao, South Goa, condemning his remarks on Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his association with Goa.
The protest, held on Friday evening, was triggered by Bhembre’s video titled 'Jagor', uploaded on social media, in which he criticized Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s recent statements made during a state-level function on Shiv Jayanti. Sawant had claimed that during Portuguese rule, a majority of Goans were saved from religious conversions because Shivaji Maharaj ruled over most of the state, except for three talukas under Portuguese control.
Bhembre refuted Sawant’s claims in his video, accusing the chief minister of distorting historical facts. His statements sparked outrage among Bajrang Dal activists, who burned his effigy in Cuncolim village before proceeding to his residence in Margao.
Viraj Desai, the Goa convenor of Bajrang Dal, asserted that there was no historical evidence to support Bhembre’s claims and accused the writer of distorting history to favor a particular community while insulting Shivaji Maharaj.
Bhembre, who was present at his residence, engaged in a discussion with the protestors, attempting to defend his statements. However, the agitators demanded that he issue an apology. The 87-year-old writer, standing by his remarks, refused to apologize despite the pressure.
With PTI inputs