The capital city of Chhatrapati Shivaji is sullied by new caste politics. The Sambhaji Brigade on Wednesday demanded the removal of a dog’s statue from Raigad. On the other hand, intelligentsia and community leaders see this as a political move against them. In 1674, Shivaji's coronation took place in Raigad Fort where he also breathed his last in 1680.
Issue of canine statue or dog-eat-dog politics? - Pune Mirror
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The statue of the dog, Vaghya, his faithful pet, is built in front of Shivaji's grand memorial (samadhi) at the fort. Legend has it that Vaghya threw himself into the pyre during Shivaji's funeral. The memorial was built with a donation by Indore’s Prince Tukoji Holkar in 1906 who gave Rs 5,000 towards the dog's statue. Holkar belonged to the Dhangar (shepherds) community and members of this community believe the dog to be next to god. Sambhaji Brigade’s state president, Pravin Gaikwad and district president, Vikas Pasalkar gave an ultimatum till June 6 (the day the Shivaji coronation ceremony is celebrated every year) to remove it failing which the Brigade's members will raze the statue.Issue of canine statue or dog-eat-dog politics? - Pune Mirror
