The Maharashtra government conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan award on Babasaheb Purandare, a right wing chronicler of King Shivaji, amid tight security anticipating protests by Maratha organisations and opposition political parties of the State.
Mr. Purandare, 94, who is known as Shivshahir (Shivaji’s poet - his nom de plume ), is accused of distorting the ‘secular’ history of the Maratha king and his family. The award function was held on Wednesday at the Governor’s house. Leaders of the Congress and the NCP boycotted the ceremony as a mark of protest.
