The statue was removed from Lal Mahal, in Kasba Peth, in the wee hours on Monday, evoking strong reactions from the Shiv Sena-BJP combine, leading to violence in the civic body and other places.
The BJP and MNS have accused deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and the NCP of encouraging the Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha outfit, that has been demanding the removal for political gain.
The brigade insists Konddev, a Bramhin, was not Shivaji’s teacher and Bramhin historians were misleading the people.
Four days ago, the NCP-controlled Pune Municipal Corporation passed a resolution to remove Konddev’s statue from the historical Lal Mahal.
The statue was removed at 2am on Monday. Angry BJP and Sena corporators later ransacked the civic hall. BJP workers also attacked Sambhaji Brigade’s office at Navi Peth and pelted Pune MP Suresh Kalmadi’s house with stones.
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said the government would not intervene in the decision.
The removal of Konddev’s statue may have been celebrated by Maratha offshoots as a victory on Monday, but on the socio-political scene, the issue has the potential to create a schism between two communities – Brahmins and Marathas – political observers fear.
While Maratha-dominated NCP and Congress have supported the move, the Shiv Sena has opposed it considering their own pan Maharashtra politics of inclusion.
The MNS, which has been exploiting Marathi Asmita as an issue to expand its party base, reacted just as strongly to the issue.
Calling the Sambhaji brigade a stooge of the ruling NCP, MNS chief Raj Thackeray accused the ruling alliance of trying to play caste politics.
"Historians who have researched Shivaji have all outlined the role of Dadoji Konddev."
Konddev's statue, a part of a sculpture depicting a teenaged Shivaji with mother Jijabai tilling the land with a golden plough, was at the centre of controversy after Sambhaji Brigade objected to it.
"Maratha offshoots believe Konddev was a figure created by Brahmins to dilute Maratha supremacy," said Vinay Hardikar, a political observer.
Prakash Pawar, head of political science department at Ferguson College, said, "Keeping the civic polls in mind, parties are going to exploit the situation."
