Legislators’ propensity for novel, head-turning antics seem to intensify when the legislature is in session. On Thursday, Nationalist Congress Party legislator Sanjay Daund took things up a notch by performing a headstand - ‘Shirshasan’ - on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan, to protest Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari’s recent remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji. Daund timed his ‘yogasana’ with Koshyari’s entry into Vidan Bhavan.
Koshyari has been under attack for his recent statement that Samarth Ramdas was Chhatrapati Shivaji’s guru.
On the first day of the budget session, opposition parties led by the BJP protested on the steps of the legislature, demanding the resignation of NCP Minister Nawab Malik, who was recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case. The BJP has declared it wants the current session to be fruitful and wants to discuss many issues, provided the MVA government sacks Malik.
After the opposition legislators dispersed, the MVA legislators stepped in, shouting slogans against Koshyari for insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. They also countered the BJP, claiming the saffron party was using Central agencies to target the state government.
Daund, who was at the forefront, did not waste a minute and embarked headlong into a ‘shirshasan’, to mark his protest. He was supported by other like-minded MVA legislators who shouted, ‘Rajyapal, Rajyapal Khali Doka Pai’ and ‘Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai’.
Koshyari has been targeted by ruling and opposition leaders over his statement that “many ‘chakravartis’ (emperors), maharajas took birth on this land. But who would have asked about Chandragupta had there not been a Chanakya? Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth (Ramdas)?”
“I am not questioning the calibre of Chandragupta and Shivaji Maharaj. Like a mother who plays a key role in shaping her child, similarly, the guru (teacher) has an important role in our society.”
