September 20, 2006



Kasaba Sangao, Dist. Kolhapur , Maharashtra: A few students of 'Dadasaheb Magdum High School' at Kasaba Sangao, Dist. Kolhapur disfigured a painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj drawn on the wall of the school. When staunch Hindus came to know about it, they met the Principal of the school and demanded explanation. The Principal apologized and assured that the concerned students would be punished. On some of the walls of the said school, there are paintings of deities and national heroes. Some of the students disfigured the painting of Chhatrapati Sjivaji Maharaj. They distorted the eyes and other parts of Shivaji Maharaj in the painting. Other students, however, realized that such distortion was an insult of Shivaji Maharaj and they informed their parents as also a few staunch Hindus. All staunch Hindus gave a representation to the Principal of the school in which it is demanded that the painting should be immediately restored, the concerned students should be punished and the Principal should render apology. The Principal accepted the representation and immediately apologized in front of everyone and in writing. Later, the painting was restored and a puja was performed. Leaders of many Hindu organizations and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti were present there.