Maharashtra Padma Controversy: Sena UBT Slams Centre for Honouring Bhagat Singh Koshyari

 

 

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after the Union government announced a Padma award for former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. The decision has triggered sharp criticism from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena, which has accused the Centre of ignoring the sentiments of Maharashtra and rewarding a leader whose past remarks had sparked widespread outrage.

The row once again underlines how national honours, meant to celebrate public service and achievement, often become flashpoints in India’s deeply polarised political landscape.

Why Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s Padma Honour Is Controversial

Bhagat Singh Koshyari served as the Governor of Maharashtra from 2019 to 2023. During his tenure, he found himself at the centre of several controversies, most notably over his comments on iconic Marathi figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and social reformer Jyotirao Phule. His remarks had led to protests across Maharashtra, with opposition parties accusing him of disrespecting the state’s history and cultural icons.

For many in Maharashtra, those controversies never fully faded. So when the Centre announced a Padma honour for Koshyari, critics argued that it reopened old wounds and sent the wrong message.

Sena UBT’s Sharp Attack on the Centre

Reacting strongly, leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) questioned the rationale behind the award. The party alleged that honouring Koshyari was an insult to Maharashtra’s pride and to those who had opposed his statements in the past.

Sena UBT leaders claimed that the Modi government was using prestigious civilian awards to reward political loyalty rather than genuine public service. They also accused the Centre of deliberately overlooking the feelings of Marathi-speaking people, warning that such decisions could further alienate Maharashtra from New Delhi.

In public statements, the party reiterated that national awards should unite the country, not deepen regional or cultural divides.

BJP’s Stand and the Centre’s Silence

So far, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has largely defended the Padma awards process, stating that recipients are chosen by committees based on their overall contribution to public life. While no detailed justification specific to Koshyari’s selection has been officially released, BJP leaders have dismissed the opposition’s criticism as politically motivated.

The Centre has not issued a separate clarification addressing the objections raised by Sena UBT, sticking instead to the broader line that Padma awards are apolitical and based on merit.

Political Context in Maharashtra

The controversy comes at a sensitive time in Maharashtra politics. The state has seen intense political churn over the past few years, including the split in the Shiv Sena and ongoing rivalry between the Eknath Shinde-led Sena faction, the BJP, and the UBT camp led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Against this backdrop, the Padma award row is being seen not just as a debate over one individual, but as part of a larger battle over identity, legacy, and political legitimacy in the state.

For Sena UBT, the issue offers an opportunity to reconnect with its core support base by projecting itself as the defender of Maharashtra’s pride and cultural values.

How Such Controversies Impact National Honours

Over the years, Padma awards have frequently attracted criticism from various quarters, with opposition parties across states accusing the ruling government of politicising honours. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that any list of awardees will inevitably attract debate in a democracy as diverse as India.

What remains clear is that when awardees have a controversial public record, the honours often become symbols of larger political narratives rather than celebrations of service.

What Happens Next

While the Padma honour for Bhagat Singh Koshyari is unlikely to be withdrawn, the controversy is expected to continue in Maharashtra’s political discourse. Sena UBT leaders have hinted that they will keep raising the issue both inside and outside the legislature to highlight what they see as the Centre’s disregard for regional sentiment.

As the debate unfolds, it once again raises a fundamental question: should national honours remain completely insulated from politics, or is controversy an unavoidable part of public recognition in a vibrant democracy like India?

For now, the Padma row serves as yet another reminder that in Indian politics, even honours meant to 

celebrate unity can become deeply divisive.