Pune: Sangam Trust Mandal Organizes Skit On Afzal Khan’s Death

Param Lakhani 

Pune, 1st September 2022: The Sangam Trust Mandal, Kothrud, conducted a skit at Sangam Chowk in Pune to mark the Ganesh Chaturthi festival through a staged act.

A new theme is decided each year. These themes are incidents that are prominent and known to most people. The theme for this year was the killing of Afzal Khan by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The skit was performed in Marathi.

The trust has been organizing this event for 20 years. Every year, a skit is produced based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Kishore Shinde, was heading the event.

Kishore Shinde talked about how only a single page in today’s textbooks is dedicated to the life of Shivaji. “Aaj kal ke bachon ko school mein Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj sirf ek page pe padhaya jaata hai.” He said there should be two-three books on Shivaji Maharaj due to the charisma he possesses. The police had denied permission to put up this show initially since it could create an issue in maintaining law and order. The mandal, however, went on to perform the show as they have been conducting it for 20 years.

The police gave the reason that issues regarding law and order could occur, which is why permission was denied. Adv Shinde, President of the board, clarified that even though the police had not sanctioned the permission, the mandal will continue to present the program.