Jnanpith award-winning Marathi author Bhalchandra Nemade has opposed Maharashtra government's decision to confer the state's highest award on Babasaheb Purandare, accusing him of making derogatory references about Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji. "I feel that the portrayal of Shivaji in Purandare's work is not in keeping with history. I have respect for Purandare but I have a different image of Shivaji in my mind," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here last night.

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Nemade, who is known for his outspoken comments on various issues, including the one in which he criticised the literary value of writer Salman Rushdie's works, also signed a letter to be sent to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging him to withdraw the award to octogenarian historian Purandare, known for his exhaustive writings on Shivaji. The Maharashtra government's recent announcement about bestowing the prestigious award on Purandare led to sections of the Maratha community and a former NCP minister Jitendra Awhad protesting against the move.

They opposed the move alleging that Purandare had distorted history and tarnished Chhatrapati Shivaji's image by casting aspersions on his biological parentage in the context of the role played by his guru Dadaji Konddev.Former Press Council of India chairman and retired Supreme Court judge PB Sawant, too, has supported the campaign against Purandare's nomination for Maharashtra Bhushan saying that nobody who insults the memoy of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his mother Jijamata, should be honoured with the award which is given by the government on behalf of the people of the state.