10,000 Hindus Demonstrate Their Determination Through a Grand Protest
Kolhapur, March 17 – A massive protest was organized today at the District Collector’s office under the joint aegis of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Hindu Rashtra Samnvay Samiti, demanding that ‘Shivaji University’ be renamed ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University.’ Around 10,000 Hindus participated in the protest, expressing their unwavering commitment to this demand.
The protest march began at Dasara Chowk and proceeded through Laxmipuri, Venus Corner, and ‘B’ News Office before reaching the District Collector’s Office, where a memorandum was submitted to the administration.
In addition to the demand for renaming the university, the protest also strongly opposed the glorification of Aurangzeb’s tomb. Demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to government funding for its maintenance and called for its removal.
The protest saw the active participation of leaders from various Hindu organizations, spiritual sects, and descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s warriors. Prominent attendees included Sadguru Swati Khadye from Sanatan Sanstha, Param Pujya Pranaling Swamiji from Nipani, Telangana BJP MLA T. Raja Singh, Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan’s National President Ravasaheb Desai, Hindu Rashtra Samnvay Samiti’s National Coordinator Sunil Ghanwat, Chhatrapati Group’s Founder Pramod Dada Patil, and the descendants of Veer Shiva Kashid, Sardar Malusare, and Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite.
T. Raja Singh emphasized that this protest was not just about renaming a university but about asserting Hindu identity and self-respect. He stated that progressives and secularists who oppose the inclusion of ‘Chhatrapati’ in the university’s name are attacking Hindu pride, but they will be forced to retreat in the face of Hindu unity.
Sunil Ghanwat expressed disappointment that such a demand had to be made on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti itself. He questioned why progressives have no issue referring to Nehru as ‘Pandit’ or Gandhi as ‘Mahatma’ yet hesitate to acknowledge Shivaji Maharaj as ‘Chhatrapati.’ He warned that if the university’s name is not changed by the end of the budget session, a statewide agitation will be launched.
Abhay Vartak from Sanatan Sanstha stated that leftist ideologies are attempting to turn the university into another JNU, but Kolhapur will never allow this. He emphasized that their fight will not end with renaming the university but will continue until students imbibe the true ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The protest witnessed massive participation from Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Belgaum, with thousands of Hindus joining the march, carrying saffron flags and raising resounding slogans. Descendants of Shivaji Maharaj’s warriors, including the families of Veer Shiva Kashid, Sardar Malusare, and Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite, actively participated. Various Hindu organizations, social groups, and business associations were also involved.
Traditional Hindu martial arts and cultural displays added to the event’s grandeur, featuring Dhol-Tasha troupes, Mardani martial arts performances, Shiv-era warfare demonstrations, Tal-Mridang performances, and a women warriors’ contingent dressed in traditional attire. Amid loud chants of “Say ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University,’ not just ‘Shivaji University,’” the entire city resonated with Hindu pride and determination.
