Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday over his recent statement on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj being an ‘old idol’ and said that he couldn’t even imagine to insult the famous Maratha warrior.

The letter read, “Some people have taken a small part of my speech at the University out of context. I told the students that when we were students, some students considered Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru ji, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose etc as role models. It is natural that the youth of the present generation will need role models to follow. Talking about Maharashtra, I said that in today's context, good examples can be from Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari.”

“As far as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is concerned, he is not only the pride of Maharashtra but the pride of the whole country. The meaning is not to insult the great men of the past. It was not even a matter of comparison,” the letter added.

“Even if I accidentally make a mistake somewhere, then I will immediately apologize. I do not hesitate to do so. These people have set an example of courage and sacrifice, insulting personalities like Maharana Pratap, Shri Guru Gobind Singh and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj cannot be imagined even in dreams,” the letter further read.

It may be mentioned that the letter came after his remarks created a controversy for calling Chhartrapati Shivaji Maharaj an ‘old lady’ while addressing a function at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangbad on November 19.

The comment has drawn criticism from the state’s opposition and the descendants of the Maratha warrior.

Following the comment, a descendant of Shivaji and Rajya Sabha MP Udayanraje Bhonsle wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others and demanded to dismiss Koshyari.