Pune: The Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar Gaurav Prathishthan, Pune, has objected to remarks made by State Education Minister Vinod Tawde regarding the renaming of Solapur University. Tawde had earlier said, “If the Solapur University is named after Ahilyabai Holkar, it will cause communal sentiments and hinder the development of the university.”
Condemning the minister’s remarks, the organisation sought an apology during a press conference held in the city on Wednesday. “Ahilyabai Holkar, who is known as an able ruler of the former princely state of Indore, is loved and respected not only in Maharashtra but by people across the country. The minister’s defamatory statement is unacceptable. Tawde must apologise and take back his words,” said the President of Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar Gaurav Prathishthan, Sanjay Sonawane.
“Even the Muslim rulers had allowed her to build temples, ghats, dharmashalas, etc, in India. Her work never caused any communal conflict. Then how naming an institution after her would cause harm. Though she was born in a tribal family, her achievements were remarkable. Tawde must get his history right,” he added.
