Brahmin convention condemns Laine for book on Shivaji

Pune: The fifth multi-lingual Brahmin convention here on Saturday passed a resolution condemning American writer James Laine for his "defamatory" writings about Maratha warrior king Shivaji.
Chhatrapati Shivaji is held in highest esteem in India for his fight against foreign rulers and to cast aspersion on him is an insult to the entire country, the resolution adopted at the convention held at Bhugav near here said.
James Laine's book on Shivaji had drawn flak and led to an attack on the city-based Bhandarkar oriental research institute, scholars from which were believed to have aided his work a few years ago.
Through another resolution, the convention, attended among others by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, Yoga Guru Ramdev baba and Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamkoti Jayendra Sarswati, asked Brahmins to look beyond party politics and vote for those who worked for the community's all round progress.
The convention declared that it was not demanding any reservation for Brahmins, but said it would work to have necessary provisions to ensure educational progress of the community members.