Today people are talking of the concept of `equality of religions’ in society. The Congress party is trying to depict him as non-communal and secular. Nowadays some Hindu protagonists are trying to drag Shivaji Maharaj into the camp of secularism by making statements such as `there were Muslim soldiers in his army’. Really these are pearls of wisdom by these so-called ardent (hypocrite) lovers of Hinduism!

In this context the author of the book `Marathi Riyasati’ and a great historian, Sardessai writes, “ Towards 1649, 500-700 Pathans from Vijapur came to Shivaji Maharaj in search of jobs. Though he did not approve of employing them, with the counsel of Gomaji Naik Pansabal that `these people have come after hearing about your popularity so please do not disappoint them. If you remain adamant that you will employ only Hindus and that you do not need others then you will not be able to establish a kingdom. So include all eighteen communities of all four varna (classes) of society and should allow them to carry out their own duties’ he employed the servitors of Radho Ballal Korde. However these Hindu protagonists are ignorant about facts in this context that the monarch also ensured that there were spies to keep watch on those Muslim soldiers !

If these 500- 700 soldiers made any attempt to divide the army then as was prevalent in those days he would also not hesitate to punish them (by throwing them over the cliff). It was not like today when a perpetrator of the India Parliament instead of being hanged goes scot free simply because he is a Muslim! In this context a historian researcher Mr. Ninad Bedekar says, “ A new idea that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had `several’ Muslims in his army is being projected. I will quote a few names. You can give me the rest ! When Prince Shivaji came to the Jagirs of Pune, Indore and Supe, of the representatives of Shahajiraje only three were Muslims, namely Siddi Ambar Bagdadi, Jainkhan Peerzade and Bahalimkhan. Of some more Muslims associated with Shivaji Maharaj were Nurkhan Beg the chief of his infantry. But the truth is that later at some juncture all these people were driven off because no mention of their names is made anywhere in the historical annals. After 1675 B.C. these people are nowhere in the picture. That way the British army also employed Indians as soldiers. Afzal Khan who attacked Shivaji Maharaj employed 3000 Maulas in his army, so can we call him secular ? Then why is this cord (like an iguana) of secularism wound tightly around necks of Hindus alone ? Claiming that Shivaji Maharaj was secular simply because he had a few Muslim soldiers in his army is an indicator of an over liberal intellect.