There is a pronounced caste subtext to the Maharashtra Bhushan award controversy

Many national as well as international social scientists have paid rich tributes to saint-poets and social reformers in Maharashtra for their rich contributions in imbibing scientific temperament within the traditional conservative society.

The decision by the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena coalition government in Maharashtra to award Maharashtra Bhushan to octogenarian Babasaheb Purandare has created a political storm underlining the caste tensions brewing in the state for quite some time. Purandare, who has devoted his lifetime to popularise medieval Maratha king Shivaji for the last six decades, is not a historian per se but wrote books, ballads, organised shows in the nook and corner of the state. Those opposing award to Purandare claims that he had eulogised Shivaji through the Brahminical periscope. Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar has also expressed reservations against the government’s decision while militant organisations of the Maratha community, like Sambhaji Brigade have vehemently opposed to the award saying they would not tolerate honouring a person who defamed Shivaji.

Despite Maharashtra’s march as a modern state with a highly industrialised society, King Shivaji remained the central statement of faith at the socio-political level. He provided inspiration and remained an icon for new, emerging regional political parties like the Shiv Sena. No Shiv Sena rally could start without garlanding the statue of King Shivaji. Even the Congress Party which ruled the state single-handedly for four decades with the Maratha community at the levers of power always paid its respect to the warrior king. Even during a fight at the time of carving out the Maharashtra state with Mumbai as its capital by bifurcating the bilingual state of Bombay, King Shivaji’s name was invoked to fight authorities in Delhi who were not very interested in making Mumbai the state capital of Maharashtra. Jawaharlal Nehru was initially reluctant to end a bilingual state.

The present controversy over Purandare and his depiction of Shivaji shares the backdrop of an earlier controversy over a book by the American author James Laine, Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India, in which he cast aspersions over Shivaji’s lineage. The highly emotive issue helped the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance in 2004 to galvanise OBC votes against the Shiv Sena-BJP and retain power. The Sambhaji Brigade had vandalised Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune since Laine had thanked a few scholars for providing assistance in completing his book project on Shivaji. With a subtext of anti-Brahmanism, a subtle campaign was carried out during 2004 and subsequent elections had gone in favour of the Congress-NCP alliance. During the last decade , the OBC vote banks which had been with the Congress had begun to turn towards the Shiv Sena and partially towards the BJP as ambitious leaders from these aspiring castes wanted direct control over levers of power. Some of the OBC communities with considerable clout in state politics rallied round new parties like Rashtriya Samaj Party led by Mahadev Jankar.

The arrival of Narendra Modi on the national scene changed the scenario in Maharashtra where a caste-based power structure was delicately maintained by the Congress-NCP. The Maratha community could rule the state through the Congress apparatus only because it could successfully keep OBCs and minorities on its side. During elections held in 2014 for the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assembly, these OBCs openly revolted against domination of Marathas, resulting in the total rout of the Congress and the NCP.

The BJP has won more than 100 seats in the state legislative assembly and chose young legislator Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister. This has not gone down well even within his own party since he has bypassed many seniors in the party. The present controversy over an award to Purandare also has a sub-text of anti-Brahmanism. Those opposing Purandare are also opposing Fadnavis, indirectly accusing his government of blasphemy. 

Though Brahmin community in Maharashtra, mostly confined to academic pursuits and busy climbing corporate ladders, has been politically marginalised over the last six decades, it never even tried to make any effort to reassert itself. Unlike in the North, where the caste intervenes politically, in Maharashtra, the community is satisfied with availing benefits of the market economy. Those who want to continue their political domination find it easy to use emotional issues like writings of James Laine or award to Purandare to target Brahmins to rally round OBCs under their command. No one would entirely agree with whatever Purandare has written but opposing him for the sake of political benefits largely reflects paucity of ideas and pettiness of politicians who go to any extent to ensure vote bank support, unmindful of dangers of dividing society on caste and communal lines. These emotive issues also help to divert attention of younger generation from real issues of drought, unemployment, rising prices of essential commodities, crime and corruption and provide agenda of hatred and violence.

Peace and communal harmony are always very fragile and have to be protected. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has jumped into the controversy warning fanatic elements opposing Purandare of dire consequences if they cross the line. With his stand, Raj wants to target the apolitical young generation who are more interested in development and secure jobs rather than get involved in murky caste and communal politics.

Political exigency is blatantly witnessed as those who used to eulogise Purandare in the last couple of decades for his love of Shivaji now suddenly find him unsuitable for the award. Those making provocative remarks and stoking fire should see the kind of messages making rounds on the social media. Perhaps, for the first time, leaders are openly blaming Sharad Pawar for tolerating and encouraging rabid elements capable of disturbing peace and harmony in the state. All those who think of Maharashtra hope that his appeal to end the controversy will be taken seriously by all the players who should desist from poisoning the minds of youngsters.

The Maharashtra Bhushan award is incidental. It does not matter who is selected as every award provokes some reaction and criticism. However, if it takes such a horrendous turn, then it is a cause of concern.

The author is columnist, author, artist