Historical Distortion or Misinterpretation? Bageshwar Baba Faces Backlash Over Shivaji Maharaj Remarks
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- April 30, 2026
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Nagpur, April 2026 — A major cultural and political storm has erupted in Maharashtra following controversial statements made by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba. During a high-profile event in Nagpur, the spiritual leader’s portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as “exhausted” has drawn sharp rebukes from historians, political leaders, and the film industry.
The Controversial Claim: The “Tired” King
The controversy began during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Bhardurga Shaktisthal in Nagpur. Addressing a large gathering—which included Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat—Shastri narrated an anecdote involving the Maratha king and Saint Samarth Ramdas.
Shastri claimed that Shivaji Maharaj, weary from years of continuous warfare, once approached Ramdas Swami, removed his crown, and offered to relinquish his kingdom.
“He said, ‘I do not want to fight wars anymore. You look after this crown; you handle this kingdom… We are very tired and need rest,'” Shastri recounted.
According to his narration, the saint eventually returned the crown, urging the King to continue his duty as a form of service.
Riteish Deshmukh Slams “Distorted Nonsense”
The statement immediately triggered a wave of indignation across social media. Actor and filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh, who is currently directing and starring in the upcoming historical epic Raja Shivaji (set for release on May 1), was among the first to lash out.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) in a fiery Marathi post, Deshmukh wrote:
“When someone comes along and spews some distorted nonsense about our cherished deity, as a Shiv-premi and Shiv-bhakt, this is unacceptable and infuriating. Such futile attempts to belittle the legacy will not be tolerated.”
He further compared the King’s legacy to the Sahyadri mountain ranges, stating that while “godmen” may come and go, the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will endure for millions of years.
A “Fabricated” History?
Historians and political figures have been quick to point out that there is no documented evidence to support the claim that Shivaji Maharaj ever expressed a desire to quit or felt “exhausted” by his mission for Swarajya (self-rule).
- Political Reaction: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut questioned the silence of the top leaders present at the event, asking why those in power did not object to the distortion of history on stage.
- The Royal Response: Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a descendant of the Maratha King, described the story as “fabricated” and urged spiritual leaders to stick to spirituality rather than rewriting history.
The Apology: “My Sentiments Were Misunderstood”
Following state-wide protests by groups like the Sambhaji Brigade, Dhirendra Shastri issued a public apology on April 27.
He clarified that he has the utmost respect for the “great Hindu King” and that his words were intended to highlight the King’s devotion to saints, not to suggest weakness. “I presented my sentiments with respect for the great king who envisioned a Hindu Rashtra. I spoke about it in my style, but it was misunderstood,” Shastri told reporters, maintaining that he would never dream of insulting the national icon.
Bottom Line
In Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is more than a historical figure; he is a “deity” of the state’s identity. While Bageshwar Baba has attempted to de-escalate with an apology, the incident has highlighted the high stakes of historical storytelling—especially as the state prepares for a major cinematic retelling of the King’s life this week.
