Sambhaji Brigade

Sambhaji Brigade is a hard-line pro-Maratha organization in the state of Maharashtra, India. The organization is named after Sambhaji, son of the first Maratha king Shivaji.

History

The organization was founded by Purushottam Khedekar, also prominent in the Maratha Seva Sangh, a related organisation. Khedekar, an executive engineer in the state Public Works Department, founded the MSS in 1990 ostensibly "to work for upliftment of the Bahujan community". Soon, many Bahujan youths from the Maharashtra joined the organization. The orgsnization proposes equality among all bahujans which include all the bahujan casts such as Harijans(all dalits),backward Muslims,Maratha,Mali,Dhangar,Vaishya,etc.This organisation striving for getting rid of social enemies of India who are responsible for downgrading of nation on world's Map.

Ideology

The outfit distances itself from the Vaidic organisations which divides indians right from the birth .The organization mainly focuses on unifying indian people, it's work is not limited to only Maharashtra . Organization is trying hard to uncover true history of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and invalidating the image of Shivaji Maharaj as hard liner hindu Warrior. The organization aim at progress of all suppressed factions of India including Muslims.The organization claims to be as a social forum for Bahujans revival.

Controversies

The Sambhaji Brigade attacked Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute of Maharashtra in January 2004, claiming that the Institute had assisted in defaming Shivaji. Later the Sambhaji Brigade issued statements reflecting a stand that criticized the control that Brahmins have over institutions such as Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. The group claims with proof that Brahmin historians have overemphasized the influence of people such as Samarth Ramdas Swami and Dadoji Konddev (who were Brahmins) on the life of Shivaji.

In 2006, the organisation's activists ransacked the office of Marathi daily Loksatta, protesting that Editor in chief of the so called news paper have protested against government decision of building statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj .

References

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/437087.cms

External links

* [http://www.complete-review.com/quarterly/vol5/issue1/laine0.htm The Sambhaji brigades attack on Bhandarkar Institute and the Laine book controversy]
* [http://www.the-week.com/24apr25/currentevents_article1.htm Sambhaji Brigade in The Week Magazine]
* [http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=72684 About P. Khedekar]