NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) neta Chhagan Bhujbal questioned whether Maa Saraswati had ‘constructed’ any schools while adding that Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar were his deities. He made the controversial remark during his speech at a school function organized by Maratha Vidya Prasarak Shikshan Samaj in Makhmalabad.

Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Shahu Maharaj got the right to education for common people. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar opened the doors of education to all by passing the Education Act. So they are my deity whereas some people worship the Saraswati or Sarada Devi. State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal asked how many schools Devi had ‘built’ and how many people She educated. He also said that he was not against any deity and those who want to worship them should do it, but he would worship only his ‘gods’.

Two hundred years ago, the education system was under the control of Brahmins. Women were also banned from learning. All the other sections of society were illiterate. So no one knew what their rights were. Who could they complain to? Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule opened the doors of education for the Bahujan community when there was a situation where complaints were received, and by Brahmins written and results were also given by Brahmins. Shahu Maharaj took the initiative and offered his everything to the cause. Bhujbal asserted that he is firm in his belief that photos of only such persons should be worshipped.

He is reported to have later clarified his stance saying he is also Hindu and I have erected several temples in Nashik. My statement has been deliberately politicized insisted Bhujbal. He further said that all he had said was it was wrong to conduct Devi’s puja by keeping the photos of the ‘mahapurushs’ away.

(Featured Image Source: Live Law)