Mumbai: Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant has strongly criticised the Maharashtra state government’s move to urge the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to halt the release of the film Khalid ka Shivaji, stating that the request is politically motivated, baseless, and driven by pressure from right-wing organisations.
In a post on social media platform X, Sawant questioned the legitimacy of the state’s objection, pointing out that the government made its decision merely based on the film’s trailer—without any actual understanding of the film’s full content. He stated that the trailer itself is not objectionable and accused the state of acting at the behest of the BJP’s ideological allies.
Sawant said, “Once again, it is clear that the BJP is trying to project Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj only through the narrow lens of Hindutvawad, distorting his true image as a progressive and inclusive ruler. This is a condemnable attempt to reduce the stature of Shivaji Maharaj and ignore his legacy of manavatawad (humanism).”
He further questioned the BJP’s discomfort with a Muslim identifying with the values of Shivaji Maharaj. “Why can’t Maharaj be Khalid’s hero? Why is the BJP disturbed if Muslims revere Shivaji Maharaj, who was the king of the people—not of any one religion?”
Sawant cited historical sources to counter the controversy surrounding the depiction of a mosque on Raigad Fort in the film. He referred to the New History of the Marathas – Volume 1 by eminent historian and Padma Bhushan awardee G. S. Sardesai, which states that Shivaji Maharaj had a mosque built for his Muslim soldiers (pages 264–265). He also mentioned Raigadchi Jivankatha by historian Shantaram Vishnu Awlaskar, published in 1962 by the Maharashtra State Board of Literature and Culture, which records the same fact on page 7.
“Historical evidence is well-documented. The mosque on Raigad Fort is not a fictional element. It is mentioned in works approved by the Government of Maharashtra and in writings by Shivaji Maharaj’s first biographer, Krishnaji Keluskar, who affirmed that Maharaj never harmed Muslim subjects or their places of worship,” Sawant added.
Sawant also questioned the state’s silence on earlier films like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, which were allowed to release despite carrying disclaimers acknowledging fictional elements and historical inaccuracies. “If every film is to be examined under the microscope of historical truth, how did these propaganda films get clearance—one of which even won a National Award?” he asked.
The Congress leader contrasted this with Khalid ka Shivaji, which has already represented India at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. “Despite not being backed by political power, this film received international recognition—something none of those government-patronised films managed,” he said.
Sawant demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi act on his own slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas” and ensure that his party-led government in Maharashtra does not suppress artistic expression under the guise of protecting sentiments.
