Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri on Sunday issued a clarification and apology in Nagpur over his controversial remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating that his words were taken out of context and misrepresented on social media. Addressing a press conference ahead of his Ramkatha event at Reshimbagh ground, he said his intention was never to insult the Maratha king but to highlight his deep devotion towards saints and his guru. Shastri emphasised that even in his discourse, he referred to spiritual traditions and examples from epics to underline devotion, not to diminish Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
Explaining the context, Shastri drew a parallel with the Bhagavad Gita, recalling how Arjuna initially refused to fight in the Mahabharata before being guided by Lord Krishna about his duty. He said his reference aimed to illustrate the devotion of a disciple to a गुरु and the spiritual depth of Shivaji Maharaj, not to question his courage or achievements. “A small clip was selectively circulated, creating misunderstanding among people,” he said, adding that he would never tolerate disrespect towards Shivaji Maharaj even in thought.
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Shastri further stated that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was instrumental in establishing Hindavi Swarajya and credited him for the spread of Hindutva ideals. He appealed for unity among groups like Sambhaji Brigade and Maratha organisations, saying internal conflicts would only benefit others. Announcing plans to launch a Rath Yatra soon to promote Hindutva, he reiterated his commitment to Shivaji Maharaj’s ideology. He also expressed regret if his earlier remarks had hurt sentiments, while blaming sections of the media for presenting his statements in a distorted manner.