Opposition Questions Authenticity of Shivaji\'s Tiger Claws Kept in London Museum

MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will leave for London on Sunday night to bring Tiger claws (Wagh Nakh) used by Shivaji Maharaj to assassinate Bijapur sultanate's general Afzal Khan. However, the Opposition parties in Maharashtra have questioned the authenticity of the Tiger claws which are currently at London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Mr. Mungantiwar is all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Victoria and Albert Museum after the British government has agreed to give the tiger’s claws of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for the period of three years. The Maharashtra government is celebrating 350 years of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation as Chhatrapati. Said tiger claws will be kept for public viewing at various places across the state.

Senior NCP leader and Baramati Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule slammed the state government stating that the people are facing issues like inflation and unemployment. She said that tiger claws are being given importance by ignoring all these important issues.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray claimed that the Wagh Nakh is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. According to the museum's website, the tiger claw was collected by historian James Duff. Whereas the state government claims that the tiger claws belong to Shivaji Maharaj. "The government should clarify whether this tiger claws was used by Shivaji Maharaj himself or it is from the Shivaji era," he said.

Some historians have also stated that whether the weapon that's with the London museum is the same weapon used to kill Bijapur general Afzal Khan is subject to verification.

However, the Maharashtra government claimed that the tiger claws, which will be brought back to the country, were used by Shivaji Maharaj to kill Afzal Khan. Mr. Mungantiwar said that they have verified and then proceeded to bring back the tiger claws.

"One good thing about Victoria and Albert Museum is that they have maintained impeccable records of all artifacts in their possession. Every article has been certified by conducting required tests to establish its authenticity," Mr. Mungantiwar said.