India’s Hindu Right Has a New Hero

Statues of Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, are appearing across India. Shivaji, who challenged the Mughal dynasty in the 17th century, is becoming a symbol for nationalists reshaping the nation.

In Malvan, a small town in Maharashtra, India, visitors take selfies at a Shivaji statue, reflecting the recent surge in interest in the Hindu warrior. Visuals captured in January show the widespread fascination with this historical figure.

Credit: Anupreeta Das and Suhasini Raj, with visuals by Atul Loke.

Anupreeta Das and Suhasini Raj have undertaken a journey through forts and monuments across India to uncover the growing enthusiasm for Shivaji.

Statue Incident in Bodhan

On March 20, 2022, residents of Bodhan, a town in South India, woke to find a nearly 10-foot-high statue of Shivaji, erected overnight at a bustling intersection without official approval. This abrupt appearance spurred clashes between groups of Hindu and Muslim residents. Concerned about larger unrest, local authorities restricted public gatherings to prevent violence.

Local authorities soon identified Gopi Kishan, a member of an extremist Hindu right-wing faction, as the orchestrator of this unauthorized installation. Kishan expressed frustration with bureaucratic delays, which he claimed were due to concerns over possible conflicts in a city with a significant Muslim population. Despite lacking formal permissions, he felt driven to honor Shivaji.

Gopi Kishan described his effort as a response to perceived indifference towards Shivaji’s legacy. He romanticized the historical figure as a leader who significantly changed India’s fate by resisting Mughal rule.

Image: Gopi Kishan coordinated the secretive installation of an 18-foot-tall Shivaji statue in Bodhan. While he faced legal issues, the statue stood firm.