Date:10/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/10/stories/2004011004101200.htm

National

Closure of Bhandarkar Institute sought

PUNE, JAN. 9. Four days after its activists ransacked the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) and damaged rare books and manuscripts, the Sambhaji Brigade today demanded action against the institute's members who had helped author James Lane in his book on Shivaji.

The Brigade, a sister organisation of the Maratha Sevasangh, also demanded closure of the prestigious institution as it was ``suppressing information and providing the same selectively to some persons."

Addressing a press conference, the Brigade spokesperson, Shrikant Kokate, demanded dropping of the charges of dacoity against the 72 persons arrested for vandalising the institute. He warned of dire consequences if the Government did not concede to the demand.

The Maharashtra Government should take action against all those who helped Mr. Lane in his book `Shivaji — The Hindu King in Islamic India,' he said and demanded action against 12 writers and researchers of the institute, including Shrikant Bahulkar, Dilip Chitre and Sucheta Paranjpe, for making information available to Mr. Lane for the book which had, he alleged, made derogatory references to Shivaji. — UNI