Overview

• On June 9, Waikar, the Shiv Sena MP for Mumbai North West, urged the minister to add Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life and achievements to next year’s CBSE syllabus
• The letter coincided with the 352nd anniversary of Shivaji’s 1674 coronation, which Waikar described as a golden moment in Indian history
• Waikar emphasized Shivaji’s founding of the Maratha Empire, his strategic governance, secular policies and the Swarajya ideal of self-reliance and public welfare
• He argued that incorporating Shivaji’s story would deepen students’ understanding of India’s heritage and instill values of leadership, patriotism and social unity
• While CBSE already features major historical figures, Waikar urged prompt curriculum revisions before the 2025-26 academic year and has yet to receive a response