'Shivaji Maharaj Was A Patidar': BJP Minister Sparks Row In Maharashtra, Opposition Hits Back

• Union Minister CR Patil claimed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the Patidar caste, sparking controversy in Maharashtra.
• Patil made the remarks during a public event in Gujarat, praising the Patidar community.
• Opposition parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP condemned the statement as an insult to Maharashtra and Marathi people.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called it an attempt by BJP to appropriate Shivaji Maharaj's legacy.
• NCP President Ajit Pawar and BJP's Chandrashekhar Bawankule rejected the claim, asserting Shivaji Maharaj's Bhonsle dynasty lineage.

Why It Matters: BJP Minister CR Patil's claim about Shivaji Maharaj's caste sparks outrage in Maharashtra.