Purandare gets zero security despite threats

Updated on: 01 June,2009 07:30 AM IST |
Kaumudi Gurjar |

Fringe Maratha group has asked octogenarian historian to resign from panel set to oversee erection of iconic 309-ft Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea in Mumbai

Fringe Maratha group has asked octogenarian historian to resign from panel set to oversee erection of iconic 309-ft Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea in Mumbai

Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare has not been provided any police protection despite recent threats from Prushottam Khedekar, the chief of Maratha Seva Sangh.u00a0

Khedekar had earlier expressed his displeasure at Purandare's appointment on the panel set up by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to erect a Rs 300-crore, 309-feet Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Arabian Sea near Marine Drive, Mumbai. The Maratha Seva Sangh leader blames Purandare, a Brahmin, for portraying Shivaji as pro-Brahmin.u00a0u00a0

This reporter found Purandare's residence near Parvarati hillock completely unguarded.

All Joint Commissioner Rajendra Sonawane was willing to tell this reporter before cutting the call was, "I won't comment."

However, MNS chief Raj Thackerayu00a0 has strongly defended Purandare.

"Thousands of hands will be raised in Maharashtra against those who dare to attack Purandare," Thackeray has warned. Purandare refused to comment on the issue. Historian Pandurang Balkawade said the government was setting a bad example by not providing security to Purandare. "The biography of Chhatrapati written by Babasaheb Purandare is an inspiration for generations to come. People forget this and create needless controversy," said Balkawade.

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