Over 10k take to streets in Kolhapur demanding renaming of Shivaji university & removal of Aurangzeb's tomb

Protestors want Shivaji University to be renamed as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, bearing the full name of the iconic Maratha warrior-king

Mumbai: The movement launched in Kolhapur to rename the Shivaji University as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University bearing the full name of the iconic Maratha warrior-king, who had laid the foundation of the Hindavi-swarajya, has now gained momentum. 

In February, at the Provincial Hindu Rashtra Convention, organised by Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti, which saw the participation of over 200 representatives from more than 50 Hindu organisations, a strong resolution was passed for renaming the university. 

As part of the campaign, on Monday, more than 10,000 people gathered and organised a massive protest outside the Kolhapur District Collector’s office.

The protest was held under the aegis of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Hindu Rashtra Samnvay Samiti.

The protest march began at Dasara Chowk and proceeded through Laxmipuri, Venus Corner before reaching the District Collector’s Office, where a memorandum was submitted to the administration.

In addition to the demand for renaming the university, the protest also strongly opposed the glorification of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. Demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to government funding for its maintenance and called for its removal.

The protest saw the active participation of leaders from various Hindu organisations, spiritual sects, and descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s warriors. 

Prominent attendees included Sadguru Swati Khadye from Sanatan Sanstha, Param Pujya Pranaling Swamiji from Nipani, Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh, Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan’s National President Ravasaheb Desai, Hindu Rashtra Samnvay Samiti’s National Coordinator Sunil Ghanwat, Chhatrapati Group’s Founder Pramod Dada Patil, and the descendants of Veer Shiva Kashid, Sardar Malusare, and Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite.

Singh emphasised that this protest was not just about renaming a university but about asserting Hindu identity and self-respect. “Progressives and secularists who oppose the inclusion of ‘Chhatrapati’ in the university’s name are attacking Hindu pride, but they will be forced to retreat in the face of Hindu unity,” he said. 

Sunil Ghanwat, National Coordinator, Hindu Rashtra Samnvay Samiti, expressed disappointment that such a demand had to be made on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti itself. 

“Why progressives have no issue referring to Nehru as ‘Pandit’ or Gandhi as ‘Mahatma’ yet hesitate to acknowledge Shivaji Maharaj as ‘Chhatrapati’….if the university’s name is not changed by the end of the budget session, a statewide agitation will be launched,” he said.

Abhay Vartak from Sanatan Sanstha stated that leftist ideologies are attempting to turn the university into another JNU, but Kolhapur will never allow this. “Our fight will not end with renaming the university but will continue until students imbibe the true ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said. 

The protest witnessed massive participation from Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Belgaum, with thousands of Hindus joining the march, carrying saffron flags and raising resounding slogans. Descendants of Shivaji Maharaj’s warriors, including the families of Veer Shiva Kashid, Sardar Malusare, and Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite, actively participated in it. Various Hindu organisations, social groups, and business associations were also involved.