Mah: SB demands R R Patil's resignation

Pune, May 4: Activists of Sambhaji Brigade (SB) today demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader R R Patil following the lifting of ban by the Bombay High Court recently on the book 'Shivaji: The Hindu King in Islamic India', authored by American scholar James Laine.

Addressing a news conference here, Sambhaji Brigade state president Pravin Gaikwad said the SB would begin an agitation from June 6 and around 50 activists will immolate themselves at the Gateway of India if their demands are not met.

Mr Gaikwad said the government lawyer has handled the case badly and even if the state government talks of filing an appeal in Supreme Court, it will not stand.

''We were in touch with author through mail and wanted to know from where he got information about Shivaji's father,'' he said.

Mr Laine had mentioned a person who ''joked'' about it and the same he incorporated it in his book.

''This is their perverse belief and has hurt our sensibility and self respect. We have asked the government to give us the name of 14 researchers, some from the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) and the person who gave Mr Laine the incorrect information.

Till date no information has been given to us,'' he said.

Mr Gaikwad said they wanted that particular reference to be removed from page 126 of the book, but the High Court order was to the contrary.

''It has found noting objectionable in the book. We are going to launch an agitation at the taluka level and file a public interest litigation (PIL),'' he informed.

The NCP took a political mileage out of the episode and has done nothing about it, he alleged.

On January 5, 2004, activists of the Sambhaji Brigade had vandalised the BORI, objecting to the book and 72 activists were booked on charges of dacoity.

UNI