VHP objects to abusive reference to Shivaji

Mumbai, Oct 4 (UNI) VHP general secretary Prof Venkatesh Abdeo today demanded that the 'abusive' references to Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji be deleted from the official report on the tomb of Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh.

In a release here, Mr Abdeo said the forest department officer, Sarfaraz Khan, in the report relating to the tomb of Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh, stated that ''Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire, had in 1659 treacherously murdered Afzal Khan, the commander of Vijapur army.'' He said Shivaji was revered as a national hero.

Condemning the report, Mr Abdeo said ''Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh should apologise to the people for this and should also remove all the illegal structures at the tomb of Afzal Khan.'' He also demanded that the officer concerned be dismissed for making such report.

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