Maharashtra Is As Much Of Savarkar, Peshwa, Tilak As It Is Of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu, Phule And Ambedkar: Kunal Tilak On Pune Railway Station Renaming Row

Amidst the row over posters targeting Dr. Medha Kulkarni after she requested renaming Pune Railway Station to Bajirao I (Thorle Bajirao Peshwe), BJP leader Kunal Tilak said that he supports the demand made by Kulkarni and slammed those who put up the posters, calling them casteist people.

While speaking further, he said that Maharashtra belongs to Peshwa, Tilak, and Savarkar as much as it belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar.

He asked why the posters were put up, because of the demand made by a BJP leader who is a woman and a Brahmin? He also asked why people have hatred toward the Brahmin community. "Is it because Maharashtra CM is Brahmin? Whenever the Brahmin community demands anything, it is turned into a casteist issue and the community is insulted, and this is a new trend. Every caste and community wants their leader to be honoured, and there is no harm in it. Maharashtra is as much of Peshwa, Tilak, and Savarkar as it is of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar. Leaders of every community should get respect," he added.

He also slammed people for stooping so low and targeting Kulkarni and condemned the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena who had put up the posters.

What was the matter?

BJP MP Medha Kulkarni had demanded two days ago to rename Pune Railway Station after Bajirao Peshwa. Meanwhile, after this demand, there was strong criticism from different sections of society, which sparked a banner war over the demand to rename Pune Railway Station. Banners were put up at various places in Pune by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party against Medha Kulkarni. Apart from various locations in Pune, a banner was put up near Shaniwarwada saying, "If you are so keen on changing the names, then rename Budhwar Peth as Mastani Peth."

After the backlash, the posters were removed.