Panaji, March 1 – A group of Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest outside the residence of veteran Konkani writer Uday Bhembre in Margao, South Goa, on Friday evening, condemning his recent remarks on Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his association with Goa.
The protest stemmed from a video titled "Jagor", uploaded by the 87-year-old writer on social media, in which he criticized Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement made during a state-level function on Shiv Jayanti earlier this week. Sawant had claimed that during Portuguese rule, a majority of Goans were protected from religious conversion due to Shivaji Maharaj’s control over most parts of the region, despite the Portuguese ruling three talukas.
Refuting this claim, Bhembre accused the Chief Minister of distorting historical facts. His remarks triggered strong reactions from Bajrang Dal activists, who gathered in Cuncolim village in South Goa, burning his effigy before marching towards his residence in Margao.
Bajrang Dal’s Goa convenor, Viraj Desai, asserted that Bhembre’s statements lacked historical evidence and accused him of manipulating facts to appease a particular community while disrespecting the Maratha ruler.
During the protest, Bhembre, who was present at his residence, engaged with the demonstrators, attempting to justify his stance. However, the agitators demanded that he apologize for his remarks. The writer, standing firm on his statements, refused to issue an apology.
The protest highlights an ongoing debate on historical narratives and their political interpretations, drawing sharp reactions from different quarters.
Last updated by a enewsx:
