A new controversy broke out after Assam claimed that it houses India's “sixth” Jyotirlinga - Bhimashankar - leaving Maharashtra fuming.
In a full-page advertisement, which appeared in several national dailies, said "Welcome to the site of India's sixth Jyotirlinga at Dakini Hill, Kamrup, Assam'. 'Sri Sri Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Pamohi, Guwahati'." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed people to visit Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga during the Maha Shivaratri.
A Jyotirlinga or a ‘lingam of light’ is a devotional representation of Lord Shiva. Originally there were believed to be 64 Jyotirlings while 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy.
The advertisement, which also appeared in some newspapers in Maharashtra, rattled the politicians who came out with sharp reactions. “Ancient texts and scriptures prove that the Bhimashankar temple in Pune is a Jyotirlinga,” priest Madhukar Gawande said.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has sought answers from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on this issue.
“Over CM has a special love for Assam…Kamakhya Devi temple…let's see what he says on it,” Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.
NCP MP Supriya Sule said that the BJP now seems to have decided to snatch the cultural and spiritual treasure of Maharashtra along with its industries. NCP MLA from Khed Alandi Dilip Mohite Patil said that the Bhimashankar temple is in Pune and it is a Jyotirlinga.
Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray too questioned the silence of Shinde. “This is serious as they are hurting the sentiments of people,” he said, adding: “There might be a Jyotirlinga in Assam too and we respect it…but the constant effort to provoke Maharashtra and push our state backward is not something acceptable”.
Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat said from ancient records and archaeological findings it is proved that Bhimashankar is a Jyotirlinga. “Now it is to be seen, what more is taken out of Maharashtra,” he said.
Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant said: “Leave aside industries BJP wants to snatch away even Bhagwan Shiv from Maharashtra. Now BJP Assam govt claims that the sixth jyotirlinga of Bhimashankar is situated in Assam and not in Maharashtra's Pune district."
"We strongly condemn this highly preposterous claim. We demand Shinde-Fadnavis govt to clarify its stand and unequivocally condemn this overbold action of the BJP government in Assam which has hurt the emotions and sentiments of not only 12 crore people of Maharashtra but also the beliefs of all Indians. BJP's grudge against Maharashtra is seen again,” he said.
State’s Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said the tourism ministry of the Centre has made it clear that Bhimashankar is a Jyotirling.