2409:4040:E08:F1E3:DE99:72A3:B423:EB8F at 08:16, 23 August 2021

2021-08-23T08:16:40Z

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{{short description| Maratha organisation in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date = December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
'''Sambhaji Brigade''' is a [[Maratha]] organisation<ref>Kamlesh Sutar, [https://www.dailyo.in/politics/bhima-koregaon-protests-dalits-killed-maharashtra-bjp-devendra-fadnavis-caste-politics/story/1/21500.html How Bhima Koregaon battle anniversary turned into a riot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917215300/https://www.dailyo.in/politics/bhima-koregaon-protests-dalits-killed-maharashtra-bjp-devendra-fadnavis-caste-politics/story/1/21500.html |date=17 September 2018 }}, Daily O, 2 January 2018.</ref> based in [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. It is a branch of the Maratha Seva Sangh.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ah8qnXeeHKAC&pg=PA70|page=70|title=Storytellers @work|publisher=katha|year=2004|isbn=8189020013|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202055207/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ah8qnXeeHKAC&pg=PA70#v=onepage&q&f=false|archive-date=2 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The Brigade is named after the [[Maratha]] [[Chhatrapati|king]] [[Sambhaji]] son of the first Maratha king [[Shivaji]] and gained exposure after they attacked and vandalised the [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]] in [[Pune]] in protest against American scholar [[James Laine]]’s book on Shivaji titled ''Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WS_0saaC-jkC&pg=PA240|title=The Clash Within|last=NUSSBAUM|first=Martha|date=2008|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-03059-6|language=en|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627122224/http://books.google.com/books?id=WS_0saaC-jkC&pg=PA240#v=onepage&q&f=false|archive-date=27 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=hindu>{{cite news|title=Row over award to historian Babasaheb Purandare|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shambhaji-brigade-takes-maharashtra-governments-decision-to-honour-purandare/article7170486.ece|accessdate=16 July 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|date=5 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212094728/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shambhaji-brigade-takes-maharashtra-governments-decision-to-honour-purandare/article7170486.ece|archive-date=12 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently the head of this organisation is Pravin Gaikwad. They demand fair price guarantee for agricultural produce and alcohol free villages. Sambhaji Brigade demands reservation for the Maratha community and wants inclusion of Marathas in [[Other Backward Classes]] (OBC) category. They also demand free education for Maratha children and registered marriages instead of religious ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=780618|title=Sambhaji Brigade Wants Marathas in OBC Category - Nov 12,2012|newspaper=Outlook|access-date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220231708/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=780618|archive-date=20 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1763726/report-sambhaji-brigade-seeks-inclusion-of-marathas-as-obc-community|title=Sambhaji Brigade seeks inclusion of Marathas as OBC community|newspaper=DNA India}}</ref> The organization has been described as having an anti-[[Brahmin]] caste stand and has been repeatedly criticized for its extremist views.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/ColumnsSamarHalarnkar/The-rise-of-India-s-EQ/Article1-707278.aspx|title=The rise of India's EQ|work=Hindustan Times|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829055748/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/ColumnsSamarHalarnkar/The-rise-of-India-s-EQ/Article1-707278.aspx|archivedate=2011-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main.asp?filename=Ne032704shivaji.asp|title=Shivaji is vote bank sabre, rattled in the face of history|newspaper=Tehelka|access-date=19 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215043509/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main.asp?filename=Ne032704shivaji.asp|archive-date=15 December 2004|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rift-widens-sambhaji-brigade-flays-shiv-san/389001/|title=Rift widens: Sambhaji Brigade flays Shiv Sangram chief - Indian Express|last=Siddharth|first=Kelkar|date=22 November 2008|work=[[The Indian Express]]|accessdate=13 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic//articleshow/45693217.cms|title=CHARGE OF THE PK (SAMBHAJI) BRIGADE|quote=..the brigade, which is a which is against brahminic system of castism organisation...|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109183423/http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic//articleshow/45693217.cms|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversies==
Sambhaji Brigade is known for aggressive and violent agitations. Their first violent protest was an attack on [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]]. Several historical records were destroyed in this attack including handwritten copies by Adya Shankaracharya. This was followed by uprooting of Dadoji Kondev's Statue from [[Lal Mahal]], then by attacks on Waghya dog's statue on [[Raigad Fort|Raigad fort]] and then by attacks on [[R. R. Patil]].

===2004 James Laine incident===
[[File:BORI, Pune.jpg|thumb|Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune]]
A group of brigade members<ref name="Nussbaum2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WS_0saaC-jkC&pg=PA240|title=The Clash Within: Democracy, Religious Violence, and India's Future|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|publisher=Harvard UP|year=2008|isbn=978-0-674-03059-6|page=240|accessdate=13 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627122224/http://books.google.com/books?id=WS_0saaC-jkC&pg=PA240|archive-date=27 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> attacked and vandalised the [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]](BORI) in January 2004. The attack was prompted by the controversy over [[James Laine]]'s controversial<ref name=toi1>{{cite news|title=Supreme Court lifts ban on James Laine's book on Shivaji|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-lifts-ban-on-James-Laines-book-on-Shivaji/articleshow/6148410.cms|accessdate=16 July 2015|newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110065804/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-lifts-ban-on-James-Laines-book-on-Shivaji/articleshow/6148410.cms|archive-date=10 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> book ''Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India'' (OUP, 2003); scholars from the institute had collaborated with Laine on information for his book about the founder of the [[Maratha Empire]], [[Shivaji]], which the group had viewed as blasphemy claiming that book features "derogatory remarks on Shivaji and his mother".<ref name=toi2/><ref name=today>{{cite news|title=Maharashtra govt bans James W. Laine's biography on Shivaji|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/james-wlaines-book-on-shivaji-sparks-controversy/1/196669.html|accessdate=16 July 2015|newspaper=India Today|date=2 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720201640/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/james-wlaines-book-on-shivaji-sparks-controversy/1/196669.html|archive-date=20 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/01/stories/2004040101101300.htm|title=Politics and the cult of the Chhatrapati|date=1 April 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=13 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411174240/http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/01/stories/2004040101101300.htm|archive-date=11 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Angry mob of Sambhaji Brigade stormed the BORI and destroyed priceless manuscripts and artifacts. Then [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] condemned this violence though he upheld the importance of disagreement and debate in a democracy.<ref name=today/> After the incident 72 members of the group were arrested.<ref name=toi2>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-01-16/pune/28338631_1_islamic-india-sambhaji-brigade-bhandarkar-oriental-research-institute|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707120919/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-01-16/pune/28338631_1_islamic-india-sambhaji-brigade-bhandarkar-oriental-research-institute|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|title=Front demands destroying copies of Laine's book|date=16 January 2004|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=13 January 2012}}</ref> In 2004 the director-general of police announced that a legal ban on the organization was being investigated, but as of 2015, organization has never been banned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-01-08/pune/28348158_1_shangari-pune-police-commissionerate-vacant-posts|title=Ban on Sambhaji Brigade likely: DGP|date=8 January 2004|accessdate=13 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117224307/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-01-08/pune/28348158_1_shangari-pune-police-commissionerate-vacant-posts|archive-date=17 January 2014|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Statue of Dadoji Konddev===
In 2010, [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]]-controlled [[Pune Municipal Corporation]]'s (PMC) decision to remove the statue of [[Dadoji Kondadev]] was claimed to be consistent with the party's policy to encourage demands of hardline Maratha groups. It is claimed that such a stance had helped the NCP maintain its dominance among the Maratha youth in Pune and rural Maharashtra.<ref name=hindustantimes>{{cite news|title=Why NCP needs Sambhaji Brigade.|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/why-ncp-needs-the-sambhaji-brigade/article1-643673.aspx|accessdate=17 July 2015|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=28 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723052849/http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/why-ncp-needs-the-sambhaji-brigade/article1-643673.aspx|archive-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sambhaji Brigade was also involved in a protest to remove the statue of [[Dadoji Kondadev]] from [[Lal Mahal]] in [[Pune]] claiming that he was just introduced as teacher of [[Shivaji]] by [[Brahmin]] historians. About 30 to 40 people entered [[Pune Municipal Corporation|Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)]] and attacked Mayor's office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/129639/shiva-sena-attacks-pune-mayors-office.html|title=Sambhaji Brigade attacks Pune Mayor's office|work=ibnlive.com|access-date=29 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118045729/http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/129639/shiva-sena-attacks-pune-mayors-office.html|archive-date=18 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> This led to a statewide protest by Political parties such as [[Bhartya Janta Party|BJP]], [[Shiv Sena]] and [[Maharashtra Navnirman Sena|MNS]].<ref>[http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=201012282010122802260155122d3617a Dadoji’s statue in Pune sparks statewide protests] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702222607/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article |date=2010-07-02 }}, Mumbai Mirror</ref> Following to this Government of Maharashtra (which included NCP) removed name of Dadoji Konddev from school history books stating that Government's committee of historians found no evidence that Dadoji Konddev was teacher of Shivaji. The move was heavily criticized by historians and scholars. Some members of the government-appointed committee also resigned in protest citing that the committee head Jaysing Pawar only had caste considerations in mind when submitting the report, without regard to actual historical evidence.<ref name=IE>{{cite news|title=Nothing against Brahmins in removing name of Konddev from text books: Maratha outfit|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/nothing-against-brahmins-in-removing-name-of-konddev-from-text-books-maratha-outfit/472662/|accessdate=17 July 2015|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=7 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225065344/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/nothing-against-brahmins-in-removing-name-of-konddev-from-text-books-maratha-outfit/472662|archive-date=25 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Attack on Waghya's Statue on Raigad Fort ===
[[File:RaigadFort8.jpg|thumb|192x192px|Statue of ''[[Waghya]]'' at Raigad Fort]]
The group was also responsible for a protest and attack against a dog's (Waghya) statue located on [[Raigad Fort]] next to [[Shivaji]]'s memorial. According to legend the dog (named Waghya) was Shivaji's dog. The group claimed that the dog was not real and there should not be a memorial for it. This act was strongly opposed by local [[Dhangar]] community for they believe that the dog was real.<ref>[http://ibnlive.in.com/news/maratha-outfit-declares-war-on-shivajis-dog/154543-3.html Maratha outfit declares war on Shivaji's dog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605130320/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/maratha-outfit-declares-war-on-shivajis-dog/154543-3.html |date=5 June 2014 }} , IBN Live</ref> In fact many people say that Waghya was Shivaji's dog and the reason for why the memorial was constructed over there.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

===Ram Ganesh Gadkari bust vandalism===
In January 2017, four Sambhaji Brigade followers pulled down a bust of celebrated [[Marathi language|Marathi]] playwright [[Ram Ganesh Gadkari]] which was located in Sambhaji Park in central [[Pune]] and threw it in the nearby [[Mutha river]]. The [[Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu]] (CKP) community, the community to which Gadkari belonged later organized a meeting to protest this incident at the Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan (a theater named after Gadkari) in [[Thane]]. Sambhaji Brigade claimed that Gadkari had portrayed Sambhaji in bad light in an unfinished play ''Rajsanyas'', written a century ago by referring to some out-of-context content.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Sambhaji-Brigade-vandalises-statue-of-litterateur-R.G.-Gadkari-in-Pune/article16982303.ece|title=Sambhaji Brigade vandalises statue of litterateur R.G. Gadkari in Pune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewire.in/91511/sambhaji-brigade-gadkari-statue/|title=Sambhaji Brigade Vandalises Playwright's Statue for 'Insult' to Shivaji a Century Ago|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181522/https://thewire.in/91511/sambhaji-brigade-gadkari-statue/|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2017-01-07|url=https://scroll.in/article/826108/explainer-the-politics-behind-the-vandalism-of-a-legendary-marathi-playwrights-statue-in-pune|title=Maratha pride (and votes): Why the statue of a legendary Marathi playwright was vandalised in Pune|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810213503/https://scroll.in/article/826108/explainer-the-politics-behind-the-vandalism-of-a-legendary-marathi-playwrights-statue-in-pune|archive-date=10 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Indian National Congress]] leader [[Nitesh Rane]] later rewarded the vandals and made inflammatory remarks claiming that he had announced a reward earlier in 2016 for removing the bust, and was proud of the act carried out by the accused.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/cong-mla-rane-rewards-vandals/articleshow/56606356.cms|title=Cong MLA Rane rewards vandals|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109184927/http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/cong-mla-rane-rewards-vandals/articleshow/56606356.cms|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He also tweeted that Sambhaji Brigade was not involved in the act, even when the outfit had claimed responsibility for the action.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/nitish-rane-rewards-vandals-but-why-is-congress-tolerant-to-such-intolerance-by-its-mla-3211296.html|title=Nitesh Rane rewards vandals but why is Congress tolerant to such intolerance by its MLA?|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181429/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/nitish-rane-rewards-vandals-but-why-is-congress-tolerant-to-such-intolerance-by-its-mla-3211296.html|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The vandalism was largely seen as an attempt to garner votes by playing the community card in the city's civic elections which were due to be held in a few weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/article/826108/explainer-the-politics-behind-the-vandalism-of-a-legendary-marathi-playwrights-statue-in-pune|title=Maratha pride (and votes): Why the statue of a legendary Marathi playwright was vandalised in Pune|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810213503/https://scroll.in/article/826108/explainer-the-politics-behind-the-vandalism-of-a-legendary-marathi-playwrights-statue-in-pune|archive-date=10 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Leadership ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2019}}
Purushottam Khedekar is one of the founders of this organisation. He is also a prominent leader in the Maratha Seva Sangh, a related organisation and co-founder of Shiva Dharma. Khedekar has written several hateful and anti-Brahmin propaganda books like ''Bhatta Cha Kardhankal'' (a book with virulently anti-Brahmin propaganda) and ''Maharaj Mala Maaf Kara'' (Translates as "Your Majesty, I ask for your forgiveness". This book abused 17th century Marathi Hindu saint [[Samarth Ramdas]]. [[Pune Police]] issued an arrest warrant against Khedekar for inciting anti-Brahmin feelings and causing caste discrimination.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bjp-demands-ban-on-book-on-shivaji/827107|title=BJP demands ban on book on Shivaji|newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref> In 2015 he submitted an affidavit in the court and apologized unconditionally for his remarks on Brahmin women.

==Shiva Dharma==
The Maratha Seva Sangh, founded by Khedekar, has been demanding reservations for the [[Maratha]] community and is also supporting creation of a new religion of its own called 'Shiva Dharma'<ref>{{cite news|title=MSS founder's wife quits BJP to join NCP|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mss-founders-wife-quits-bjp-to-join-ncp-1891753|accessdate=16 July 2015|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726232204/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mss-founders-wife-quits-bjp-to-join-ncp-1891753|archive-date=26 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite web|title=sambhaji-brigade-maratha-protest-organisers-turn-political-party|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/sambhaji-brigade-maratha-protest-organisers-turn-political-party/story-ZKLAMzCdqNQ76B4nzTgFjJ.html|website=Hindustan Times|accessdate=30 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130102307/http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/sambhaji-brigade-maratha-protest-organisers-turn-political-party/story-ZKLAMzCdqNQ76B4nzTgFjJ.html|archive-date=30 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
* http://www.sambhajibrigade.in/

[[Category:Ethnocentrism]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in India]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Organizations with year of establishment missing]]

Sambhaji Brigade - Revision history

2409:4040:E08:F1E3:DE99:72A3:B423:EB8F at 08:16, 23 August 2021