Eknath Shinde slams Uddhav faction's bid to freeze Bow and Arrow symbol
Synopsis
With the Supreme Court actively hearing the Shiv Sena symbol case, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde went on the offensive — accusing the Uddhav Thackeray camp of trying to erase Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy by demanding the 'Bow and Arrow' symbol be frozen. The legal and political battle over who owns Shiv Sena's identity is now reaching a critical juncture.
Key Takeaways
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on 2 September condemned the Shiv Sena-UBT 's demand to freeze the 'Bow and Arrow' poll symbol.
Shinde called the move an attempt to erase Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology and Hindutva legacy.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing the Shiv Sena party symbol dispute; Shinde faction's arguments are yet to commence.
Shinde defended PM Modi's respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , citing the 'Rajmudra' on the Indian Navy ensign.
The MahaYuti government reaffirmed its commitment to Maratha reservation and appealed to activist Manoj Jarange Patil to end his hunger strike.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, 2 September sharply criticised the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) over its demand to freeze the 'Bow and Arrow' election symbol, calling the move an attempt to erase the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. The remarks came on the sidelines of the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on the Shiv Sena party symbol dispute.
Shinde's Attack on the Symbol Demand
Speaking to journalists in New Delhi, Deputy CM Shinde said: 'The 'Bow and Arrow' symbol was dearer than life itself to Balasaheb Thackeray; he used to worship it in his personal shrine. In 2019, they froze Balasaheb's ideology, froze Hindutva, froze the mandate of the people of Maharashtra and even froze Balasaheb's party Constitution. Now, they are demanding that the 'Bow and Arrow' symbol be frozen. An attempt is being made to erase Balasaheb's ideology, his position on Hindutva and the party's policies.'
Shinde added that the questions raised by Shiv Sena-UBT would be answered once arguments on behalf of his faction of Shiv Sena commence before the court. He also noted that the matter involves the Constitution, the party's constitution, and the powers of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Supreme Court Hearing: What Is at Stake
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case that cuts to the heart of which faction is the legitimate Shiv Sena — a dispute that has divided Maharashtra's political landscape since the 2022 split. The ECI had earlier awarded both the party name and the Bow and Arrow symbol to the Shinde faction. The Thackeray camp's demand to freeze the symbol is part of its legal strategy to contest that decision. Shinde's Shiv Sena state chiefs are also scheduled to meet in Delhi to deliberate on organisational matters.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Row and the Modi Photo Controversy
Deputy CM Shinde also addressed a separate controversy over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph from a government polytechnic in Pune. He said that even the Prime Minister would not appreciate being compared with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, adding that protocol mandates the display of photographs of the President and the Prime Minister in government offices. Shinde also pointed to the incorporation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 'Rajmudra' into the Indian Navy's ensign as evidence of PM Modi's reverence for the Maratha warrior king.
MahaYuti's Stance on Maratha Reservation
Shinde reiterated that the MahaYuti government remains committed to delivering justice to the Maratha community without disadvantaging other sections of society. He cited key measures from his tenure as Chief Minister, including a 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community, the constitution of commissions to facilitate Kunbi certificates, and interest-free loans through SARTHI and the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation. He appealed to Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil, currently on hunger strike, to adopt a constructive approach and engage with the government's ongoing efforts.
What Happens Next
With Supreme Court arguments from the Shinde faction yet to commence, the legal battle over the Bow and Arrow symbol is far from settled. The outcome will have direct consequences for both factions' electoral identity ahead of future Maharashtra elections, making the court's eventual ruling one of the most consequential in the state's recent political history.
Point of View
Engineered by Shinde's rebellion, that fractured the very party Balasaheb built. The symbol battle is ultimately a proxy war for electoral legitimacy, and whichever faction wins it in court will hold a significant advantage in Maharashtra's next electoral cycle. Mainstream coverage has underplayed how the Maratha reservation angle complicates Shinde's political positioning — appealing to both the MahaYuti coalition's OBC base and Maratha voters is a tightrope that no Maharashtra leader has successfully walked for long.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Bow and Arrow' symbol at the centre of the Shiv Sena dispute?
The 'Bow and Arrow' is Shiv Sena's traditional election symbol, awarded to the Eknath Shinde faction by the Election Commission of India after it recognised his group as the legitimate Shiv Sena. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT has demanded the symbol be frozen as part of its legal challenge before the Supreme Court, arguing the ECI's decision was flawed.
What is the Supreme Court hearing on the Shiv Sena symbol about?
The Supreme Court is adjudicating which faction — the Eknath Shinde group or the Uddhav Thackeray group — constitutes the real Shiv Sena and is entitled to its name and poll symbol. The case involves questions of constitutional law, party constitutions, and the Election Commission's powers. Arguments from the Shinde faction are yet to begin.
What did Eknath Shinde say about Balasaheb Thackeray and the symbol?
Shinde said the 'Bow and Arrow' symbol was 'dearer than life itself' to Balasaheb Thackeray, who reportedly worshipped it in his personal shrine. He accused the Thackeray camp of having already frozen Balasaheb's ideology, Hindutva, and the party's constitution in 2019, and now attempting to erase his legacy by seeking to freeze the symbol.
What is the Maratha reservation issue Shinde addressed?
Shinde reiterated the MahaYuti government's commitment to Maratha reservation without disadvantaging other communities. He cited a 10 per cent reservation for Marathas, Kunbi certificate commissions, and interest-free loans via SARTHI and the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation, and appealed to hunger-striking activist Manoj Jarange Patil to take a constructive approach.
What was the controversy over PM Modi's photograph in Pune?
A controversy arose over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph from a government polytechnic in Pune. Deputy CM Shinde responded by saying PM Modi himself would not appreciate being compared with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and noted that protocol requires photographs of the President and Prime Minister to be displayed in government offices.
