Congress leader Sachin Sawant has strongly criticised the Maharashtra government for failing to maintain and preserve the historic forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His remarks follow UNESCO's recent recognition of 12 forts as World Heritage Sites under the title 'Maratha Military Landscapes'.
In a social media post on platform ‘X’, Sawant expressed concern that these forts, which symbolise the valor and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, could be delisted from UNESCO's heritage list in the future if not properly conserved. He highlighted that UNESCO rules allow for removal from the list if a site suffers from severe deterioration due to negligence by the responsible country.
“While it is a moment of pride for citizens across Maharashtra and India that these forts have been recognised globally, the real challenge lies ahead in their protection and upkeep,” Sawant said. He questioned whether the current Mahayuti government, which he described as “irresponsible and corruption-ridden,” is capable of fulfilling this responsibility.
Sawant also accused the BJP of using Shivaji Maharaj's legacy for political gain ahead of the upcoming elections. “The same government that once proposed leasing out these forts and was involved in alleged corruption related to Shivaji Maharaj's statue, is now trying to portray itself as a devout follower by organising Shiv Aartis at 106 locations,” he said.
Citing past allegations of corruption in the conservation of Raigad Fort, the capital of Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya, Sawant urged the state to ensure transparency and avoid any malpractice in the preservation of the 12 UNESCO-recognised forts. “Let the world take inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj's ideals, not from our failures,” he added.
