India’s Hindu Right Has a New Hero: A 17th-Century Warrior King

Statues of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire, are appearing across India. Known for battling the Mughal dynasty, he has become a symbol for nationalists aiming to reshape the country. Visitors frequently pose for selfies at the Shivaji statue located in Malvan, a small town in Maharashtra, indicating a significant increase in interest regarding this Hindu warrior.

Anupreeta Das and Suhasini Raj explored various forts and monuments throughout India to examine the fascination with Shivaji. On March 20, 2022, residents of Bodhan, a town in South India, discovered a new, unauthorized statue of the 17th-century warrior king at a busy intersection. Standing almost 10 feet tall, the statue had been erected overnight.

As authorities arrived to the scene, tension grew, with groups of Hindus and Muslims clashing. Fearing further escalation, local officials issued a ban on public gatherings to prevent potential riots. The culprit was soon discovered to be Gopi Kishan, a member of an extreme Hindu right-wing organization. He orchestrated the statue’s placement, fueled by frustration over bureaucratic delays. Despite receiving informal approval, officials hesitated to issue formal permits, citing concerns over potential unrest.

Gopi Kishan claimed his intention was not to provoke violence but to honor Shivaji, a leader renowned for his strategic acumen in resisting the Muslim Mughal dynasty. Kishan expressed reverence for Shivaji, arguing that without his efforts, the Hindu identity might not have endured.

Though Kishan encountered legal issues, the statue remains in Bodhan, standing as a testament to the contentious interplay between historical reverence and contemporary political dynamics.