Saamana slams Fadnavis for calling Bhide as ‘Guruji’

Shiv Sena's newspaper criticizes Maharashtra deputy CM Fadnavis for referring to right-wing leader Bhide as "guruji" and accuses Bhide of trying to disrupt social harmony.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ slammed deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over calling right-wing leader Manohar Kulkarni alias Sambhaji Bhide as “guruji” (teacher).

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Saamana was referring to Fadnavis’ remarks in the Assembly where he admitted that they consider Bhide as ‘Guruji’.

An editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece on Sunday alleged that Bhide, who is the “teacher” of Fadnavis, is trying to disturb social harmony. However, the people of the state are wise and brave and will not fall into Bhide’s trap, it added.

“Fadnavis’ guruji is trying to spark fire in the state, which is on the verge of communal riots. How can we wait to see a state like Maharashtra turn into ashes… The people need to be alerted if someone has taken a contract to burn Shivaji’s Maharashtra,” the editorial added.

The editorial said, “Bhide can become Fadnavis’ guruji but the people of Maharashtra are the headmaster of this school. Maharashtra will not follow in the footsteps of Manipur and Haryana. Guruji does not mean Hindutva and Maharashtra. Good luck to Fadnavis with his guruji.”

On Sunday afternoon, Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut took a dig at Fadnavis for worshipping the person who insulted Mahatma Gandhi, Mahatma Phule and Sai Baba of Shirdi.

In a retort, Girish Mahajan, rural development minister, blamed the opposition for disturbing communal harmony. “Leaders from the opposition parties are trying to defame the government by fueling the fire. This has never happened in the past. Some people are looking to hamper the social peace for political advantage,” the minister said.

Bhide, who leads the Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, had allegedly said at a public function in Amravati: “Mahatma Gandhi’s name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but Karamchand Gandhi was not his father. A Muslim landlord was the real father of Mahatma Gandhi. There is evidence to support the fact that Mohandas was raised and educated by Muslim parents.”