Shivaji's 'Wagh Nakh' Set For India Return, Shiv Sena UBT Questions Authenticity — Who Said What
Maharashtra Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and the officials from his department are scheduled to go to the UK on October 3 to get the 'wagh nakh' back.
New Delhi: Drawing parallels between the Shiv Sena and the fabled claw-shaped weapon of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said his party is the real 'wagh nakh' and accused the BJP of trying to weaken the Sena by “splitting” it. His remarks came days ahead of the return of the revered ‘tiger claw’ weapon from London to Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and the officials from his department are scheduled to go to the UK on October 3 to get the claw-shaped weapon back, news agency PTI reported.
Taking potshots at the saffron party, Raut, as quoted by PTI, said, “It is an insult to the wagh nakh, which is a matter of pride and self-respect for Maharashtra. Shiv Sena is the real wagh nakh of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which (the party) has fought all obstacles coming in way of the state.”
The victory of the Marathas at the Battle of Pratapgad in 1659 was a turning point in the history of the Maratha empire. Despite being outnumbered, the Marathas defeated Adilshahi forces led by Afzal Khan during this battle. It is believed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj killed Bijapur sultanate’s general Afzal Khan with this ‘wagh nakh’.
Although, the authenticity of the 'wagh nakh' is a matter of debate, the episode has become a part of folklore, symbolising Chhatrapati Shivaji's bravery and boosting his reputation as a brilliant military strategist.
Slamming the saffron party over its attempt to “split” Shiv Sena, the Rajya Sabha member said, "What will you do by bringing the weapon which was used to protect the self-respect of Maharashtra? The weapon which symbolises integrity of Maharashtra? You have made the state a slave of Delhi.”
It is to be noted that a revolt led by Eknath Shinde last year led to a split in the Shiv Sena and the collapse of Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Shinde joined hands with the BJP to form government in Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the questions of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, on the authenticity of the ‘wagh nakh’ as “childish” and said it was unworthy of a response, PTI reported.
Addressing a press conference, Aaditya Thackeray asked if the 'wagh nakh' would be kept in Maharashtra permanently or was it on loan. He also asked whether it belonged to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or was it from that era.
Responding to his questions, Fadnavis, as quoted by PTI, said, "Shiv Sena has a history of raising such insulting questions. (Rajya Sabha MP) Sanjay Raut had once questioned the lineage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as well. Thackeray’s question is childish. I do not want to respond to it."
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