MARGAO
The controversy surrounding the comments made by noted Konkani writer, Adv Uday Bhembre, on Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continues to escalate, with the All Goa Kshatriya Maratha Samaj calling for a meeting at the Chieftains’ Memorial in Cuncolim on Tuesday to address the issue.
Condemning Bhembre’s comments on Shivaji last week, the Samaj has called the meeting to send a clear message that Shiv Premis will not tolerate any more insults to Shivaji Maharaj. After a meeting of the Samaj chaired by Akhil Goa Kshatriya Maratha Samaj President Suhas Desai, Vijaikumar Kopre Desai has invited Shiv Premis from across Goa to the Cuncolim Chieftains’ Memorial to condemn Bhembre’s statements and decide on the future course of action.
Kopre said the entire country recognises the valiant and brave role played by the Maratha warrior during his reign. “We condemn the statements made by Uday Bhembre painting Chhatrapati Shivaji in a bad light. Such insults will not be tolerated any more,” he said.
Though the meeting at Cuncolim has been convened by the All Goa Kshatriya Maratha Samaj, Kopre said the platform will be open for people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, to come forward and condemn those making derogatory statements against the Maratha warrior. “The Cuncolim Chieftains’ Memorial is a place from where the people of Cuncolim revolted against the Portuguese, culminating in the historic 1583 revolt,” he said.
The decision to hold the meeting at the Chieftains’ Memorial is significant, as members of the Chieftains’ Memorial Trust had previously accused Bhembre of belittling the historic 1583 Cuncolim revolt.
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Police probing case: Margao SDPO
MARGAO: Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Margao, DySP Sidhanth Shirodkar, has said that the police are investigating the complaint lodged by Konkani writer Uday Bhembre as well as the complaint lodged by Shiv Premis against the writer.
He said that the police have initiated the process of conducting an inquiry into the complaints, adding that statements are being recorded in connection with the case.
