Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan stated on Saturday that ‘secessionist’ forces remain active in some states today, making the ideals of unity and integration espoused by RSS founder KB Hedgewar more relevant than ever. Speaking at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai during the launch of the book Hedgewar (Founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) – A Definitive Biography by British-Indian author Sachin Nandha, the governor countered the argument that India was never a homogeneous nation in the past.
Radhakrishnan highlighted that Emperor Ashoka had united the Indian subcontinent centuries ago, emphasising that India has always been a single nation culturally and traditionally. He also shared his personal association with the Sangh and its contributions in Tamil Nadu, particularly in his birthplace, Tiruppur.
Author Sachin Nandha noted that his book delves into Hedgewar’s motivations and philosophical outlook.
‘Those Who Intimidate Muslims Won’t Be Spared’
On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar hosted an Iftar gathering, stressing the importance of unity and social harmony. Addressing the Muslim community in light of the recent Nagpur incident, Pawar assured, “Your brother Ajit Pawar is with you. If anyone dares to intimidate our Muslim brothers and sisters or tries to create communal discord, they will not be spared.”
The NCP leader underscored the significance of communal harmony and collective celebration of festivals like Holi, Gudi Padwa, and Eid, calling unity the nation’s true strength.
“Many great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule and others have shown the path of social progress by taking along all religions and castes. We have to carry forward this legacy. India is a symbol of unity and diversity,” Pawar said.
Speaking to the media in Pune, Pawar reiterated that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established Hindavi Swarajya with the support of diverse castes and communities, including Muslims, who managed the armoury. He warned against attempts to divide communities.
Meanwhile, the Congress has formed a delegation to visit Nagpur and meet residents affected by the recent violence over the issue of Aurangzeb’s grave. Senior Congress leader Manikrao Thakare, part of the delegation, criticised the BJP for the unrest, stating, “Nagpur is a peaceful city. Some people tried to ignite tensions. The incident occurred because the central and state governments failed to act promptly, and the police did not take timely action.”
Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal reiterated that the administration of Devendra Fadnavis was similar to that of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, drawing sharp criticism from the ruling alliance. Sapkal defended his remarks, citing incidents like the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, a rape case in Pune, and violence in Parbhani. “The state is under Tughlaqi rule. I stand by my statement that Fadnavis’s administration resembles Aurangzeb’s,” he said.
