New Delhi: Amid continuous debate regarding Aurangzeb and his mausoleum, BJP MP Pradeep Purohit’s remarks in Parliament about Prime Minister Narendra Modi have generated a lot of stir. Purohit had declared PM Modi a reincarnation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which set off House opposition party frenzy. MP Purohit from Odisha’s Baragarh constituency attracted harsh criticism from MPs from other opposition parties, including Congress.
Following the uproar, Speaker Dilip Saikia directed Purohit’s comment to be removed from the record later on. Still, the BJP MP’s remark quickly went viral on social media, where he has faced much criticism. People have contended that the analogy is incorrect since Chhatrapati Shivaji was not connected to any political party.
Purohit cited in his speech a saint named Girija Baba from the Gandhamardan hill region. Baba told him during a conversation what Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, India’s current prime minister Narendra Modi’s former life counterpart, told him. Like Shivaji’s heritage, Purohit too said PM Modi is striving to make India a powerful nation.
Chaos erupted in the House the instant Purohit spoke. On social media, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad shared a video of the BJP MP’s comment deemed as an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. She called the BJP “Shiv-drohi” (traitors of Shivaji), claiming that officials of the party are planning to hurt the feelings of Shivaji’s supporters in Maharashtra. Gaikwad insisted that such rudeness was unacceptable and that an apology should be given right away.
Congress and some other party leaders have responded firmly to Purohit’s remarks. Most social media users also want an apology from the designated saint. The opposition has charged the government with purposefully creating controversy about Aurangzeb’s mausoleum to cause social division.
अखंड हिंदुस्तानाचे आराध्य दैवत आणि रयतेचे राजे छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज यांचा वारंवार अपमान करण्याचे आणि महाराष्ट्रातील तसेच जगभरातील शिवप्रेमींची अस्मिता दुखावण्याचे नियोजनबद्ध कारस्थान भाजपच्या नेतेमंडळींकडून केले जात आहे.
या लोकांनी छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांचा मानाचा जिरेटोप… pic.twitter.com/N624xkfkQN
— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) March 17, 2025