In a heated exchange on March 6, 2025, Maharashtra’s Legislative Council witnessed a tense confrontation between Shiv Sena (Thackeray) MLC Anil Parab and Shiv Sena Minister Shambhuraj Desai regarding Parab’s recent remarks on Marathi home reservation in Mumbai.
Parab had argued that just as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj endured religious persecution, he too suffered “torture” within his party for refusing to switch allegiances—and yet did not defect. His comparison, citing his own treatment akin to that of the revered historical figure, prompted an immediate backlash from the ruling side .
Sena’s Minister Nitesh Rane challenged Parab’s characterization, accusing him of harassing people through phone calls and lodging baseless complaints aimed at embarrassing central ministers. Rane said: “They call up central ministers to arrest people and harass them… and then say they’ve been persecuted” .
Paravin Darekar, another Sena Thackeray-supporting MLC, demanded that Parab apologize to the people of Maharashtra, asserting that Sambhaji Maharaj is a source of inspiration and that Parab had undermined the governor’s address .
The confrontation escalated when Minister Desai directly addressed Parab: “If you’ve compared yourself to Sambhaji Maharaj, the people of Maharashtra will not tolerate it. You must apologize profusely—or face strict action.” He added that Parab should retract his words and command an apology “that would wipe the floor clean” .
Defensively, Parab insisted, “Check my speech. Sambhaji Maharaj is my god; I would never hesitate to bow before him. If anyone thinks I insulted him, they can remove my words from the record—and even remove me from the proceedings.” He maintained that his comparison about “torture” was a legitimate commentary on political pressures and did not diminish the Maharaj’s stature .
As the Council session drew to close, calls for a formal apology remained unaddressed, with tense political reverberations continuing among council members.
