Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday came out in support of former Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai, who has been facing criticism for bowing before and seeking blessings from Dhirendra Shastri, the chief priest of Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh. Activist Shyam Manav, founder-president of the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, had criticised Gavai on April 25, claiming that the former CJI had forfeited the right to invoke the name of B. R. Ambedkar. Reacting sharply, Fadnavis questioned Manav’s authority, asking who he was to make such remarks and who had empowered him to issue such “certificates.” He said that in recent times, Manav had been making statements only to gain publicity, adding that since no one pays attention to him, he resorts to such comments daily to remain in the news.
Referring to the meeting between Gavai and Shastri, Manav had said that if someone holding a top judicial position bows before Dhirendra Shastri, he should stop claiming Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy. He expressed shock over the meeting, stating that although Gavai claims to follow Ambedkarite ideology, seeking blessings at Shastri’s feet disqualifies him from invoking Ambedkar’s name.
Manav also challenged Shastri, saying that if he truly possesses “divine vision,” he should accept the Anti-Superstition Committee’s challenge and win the ₹80 lakh prize.
The controversy comes amid outrage over Shastri’s remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which have drawn criticism from the opposition Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction).
On April 24, Shastri claimed that Shivaji Maharaj, once exhausted from continuous warfare, approached Samarth Ramdas, expressing his wish to rest and offering to hand over the administration by placing his crown at the saint’s feet. According to Shastri, Ramdas Swami refused, saying that as a Guru he would guide, while Shivaji, as a disciple, must continue ruling. However, on April 25, Fadnavis rejected Shastri’s claim that Shivaji Maharaj had grown weary of battle, stating there is no historical evidence to support such an assertion or any similar statement by Ramdas Swami. Shastri’s remarks have since triggered a series of claims and counterclaims across political and social circles, with both the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP criticising him. The Congress further alleged that the priest’s views reflect the ideology of the RSS.