Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, after unveiling a newly installed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Siolim, was recently heard sharing exaggerated and imaginary stories about the great Maratha warrior king. He claimed that Shivaji successfully stopped the Portuguese rulers from converting people to Christianity in Goa, seemingly to create division and spread hatred against the Christian community.
Before the Portuguese arrived in 1510, Goa was ruled by several dynasties, including the Shilaharas, Kadambas, Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, and finally, the Bijapur Sultanate (Adil Shah). Why is it that Sawant and other BJP leaders rarely speak about these rulers or highlight their contributions to Goa’s history?
Instead of following Shivaji Maharaj’s leadership qualities, BJP leaders in Goa are misusing his legacy for personal and political gains. They spread false narratives, often based on WhatsApp forwards, and portray him as an anti-minority leader to push their communal agenda. Why?
Rather than spreading half-truths and relying on biased history books written by pro-Maharashtrawadi or RSS-affiliated scholars, CM Sawant and the BJP should focus on Goa’s real issues. Instead of grand bike rallies, loud slogans, and public shows on Shivaji’s birth and death anniversaries, they should first tackle the destruction of Goa by non-Goan real estate lobbies, fight the rise of drugs, casinos, dance bars, and prostitution, and genuinely work for the State’s welfare. Only then can they claim to be true followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Viva Goa, Viva Goenkaar.
