Thane (Maharashtra): ‘Hamare Atit -2’, a book devised by the Central Government’s NCERT and set as text book for 7th standard tells about the life history of Chhatrapati Shivaji only in 5 lines whereas most of the remaining pages of the book are devoted to the history of Mughals and the cruel Muslim invaders who are shown with their pictures. No picture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has, however, been printed in the bracket in the matter printed about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which is like insulting Shivaji Maharaj. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) staged agitation at ‘Jambhali Naka’ in Thane between 6.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. against this anti-Shivaji stance of the Central Government. Signatures of the people were collected on the representation to be submitted to the State Chief Minister in this regard.
In the beginning, picture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was garlanded by Mr. Anil More, the Thane district chief of special communication cell of VHP. Mr. More said that everybody should ask for an explanation from the Government on this text book. Such things should be opposed in time. Mr. Ajay Sambhus, Thane District coordinator of HJS said that instead of the true history, Mughal history is being taught to the students. If it is not stopped in time, the future generations would not know the true historical facts. A demand was made that either history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should be added or the text book should be withdrawn from the curriculum. The ‘Shiva-devotees’ were displaying boards like ‘Oppose the anti-Dharma curriculum of NCERT’, ‘Force the Government to cancel the anti-Dharma curriculum’, “Condemn the Government which is glorifying Mughal invaders’, ‘Stop ‘Islamization’ of history’ etc. The agitation concluded with singing of ‘Vande Mataram’. Many devout Hindus belonging to various organizations like HJS, Sanatan Sanstha, VHP etc. were present on the occasion including those from Rahanal in Bhiwandi taluka.
A delegation of the agitators met Mr. Uddhav Thackeray, the chief executive of Shiv Sena and explained the matter to him. Mr. Thackeray said that he was aware of the issue and was collecting details on the subject. He too signed the representation to be submitted to the Government and said to Mr. Rajan Vichare, MLA that the Government has to be pressurized to take a proper decision in the matter."