Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai after Gavai faced criticism for meeting Dhirendra Shastri, the chief priest of Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh. Activist Shyam Manav, founder-president of the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, condemned Gavai's actions, asserting that they disqualify him from invoking the name of Dr. B R Ambedkar. Fadnavis responded by questioning Manav's authority to judge Gavai and suggested that Manav's statements were aimed at gaining publicity. The controversy intensified following Shastri's remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which drew criticism from opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Shastri claimed that Shivaji Maharaj expressed a desire to rest from warfare and handed over state affairs to his guru, Ramdas Swami. Fadnavis rejected this narrative, stating there is no evidence supporting Shastri's claims. The incident reflects the ongoing political and social tensions surrounding religious figures in Maharashtra.