The police on Sunday arrested members of right-wing extremist group Sambhaji Brigade who were protesting outside the Jehangir Art Gallery against the misrepresentation of Shivaji Maharaj’s weapon in a painting exhibition hosted by the gallery. The Colaba police filed an FIR against five members of the group under section 37 (3) and 135 of Maharashtra Police Act. Police Inspector A.K. Pathare with Colaba police station said the group had not taken prior permission for the protest and were disrupting the peace by shouting anti-government slogans while trying to enter the gallery.
According to group leader Santosh Gavhane Patil, most of the paintings displayed at the gallery showed Shivaji carrying a bow and arrow instead of a sword, which is his weapon of choice. “It is historically incorrect as Shivaji never parted with his sword,” he said. Mr. Patil said, “We plan to take the issue to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Education Minister Vinod Tawde, and we demand action against the organisers.” Deepak Gore, the exhibition curator, said the paintings were made under the guidance of historian Bhushan Babasaheb Purandare, who paid immense attention to the historical accuracy of the paintings.
The writer is an intern with The Hindu
