Modi wears Chhatrapati Shivaji turban: Maratha organizations, opposition parties in turmoil

NCP leader Praful Patel wore Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s jiretop to Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday (Tuesday), which has now become a controversy. Maratha organizations and opposition parties in Maharashtra are strongly protesting after Shivaji’s wearing of Modi.

Jiretop is a unique conical turban with durha worn by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In recent times, when the turban is given to someone, it is handed over to the hand rather than on the head, as a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But now, when the turban was presented to the Prime Minister, instead of giving it to his hand, he wore it directly on his head, leading to controversy.

Responding to this, Santhosh Shinde, a senior member of Sambhaji Force, a Maratha organisation, said, “Jiretop is worn by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and not by his soldiers. At the same time, one should dress properly before donning the turban. What message was sent by making Modi wear it instead of handing it to him? said.

The opposition NCP (SP) condemned the act on social networking site X as an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “The Giretop is always delivered in the hands and never placed directly on anyone’s head.

But Ajit Pawar’s group leader Prabul Patel put it directly on Narendra Modi’s head which is an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The ruling coalition (Mahayudi) has committed itself to destroying the image of Maharashtra. The proud people of Maharashtra will give befitting reply to BJP for insulting Maharashtra,” it said.

Congress star spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that this is an attack against the pride of Maharashtra. “Wasn’t Prabul Patel embarrassed when he wore a jiretop to Prime Minister Narendra Modi? This is an attack on the pride of Maharashtra,” Sawant said.

Facing an all-round attack, Maharashtra minister and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena chief Uday Samant said he did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments. In future, care will be taken to avoid such mistakes, he said.