Congress leader Sachin Sawant has strongly criticised the Maharashtra government. He said it has failed to protect Shivaji Maharaj’s historic forts. His comments came soon after UNESCO recognised 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites under the name ‘Maratha Military Landscapes.’

In a post on ‘X’, he warned that UNESCO can delist sites if the government allows them to decay. According to him, the forts could soon face this risk due to the state’s negligence.

छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांच्या स्वराज्यातील १२ किल्ल्यांचा युनेस्कोच्या वारसा स्थळांच्या यादीत समावेश झाल्याचा आनंद महाराष्ट्रातील तसेच देशातील तमाम नागरीकांना आहे. हे गड किल्ले स्वराज्याचे संरक्षक व शान होतेच पण स्थापत्य कलेचे उत्तम उदाहरण आहेत. जगाला महाराजांचा आदर्श‌ व पराक्रम… pic.twitter.com/wVHVOkpA4z

— Sachin Sawant सचिन सावंत (@sachin_inc) July 13, 2025

Global Honour Brings Bigger Challenge

While Sawant admitted the UNESCO recognition was a proud moment, he stressed that the real work begins now. He said, “While it is a moment of pride for citizens across Maharashtra and India that these forts have been recognised globally, the real challenge lies ahead in their protection and upkeep.”

Therefore, he questioned whether the current Mahayuti government, which he called “irresponsible and corruption-ridden,” can manage this responsibility.

BJP Accused of Political Use of Shivaji’s Legacy

Furthermore, Sawant accused the BJP of using Shivaji Maharaj’s name for political gains. He pointed out, “The same government that once proposed leasing out these forts and was involved in alleged corruption related to Shivaji Maharaj's statue, is now trying to portray itself as a devout follower by organising Shiv Aartis at 106 locations.”

Thus, he claimed that the government is focusing on religious activities while ignoring the real task of preserving the forts.

Past Corruption Allegations Raise Concerns

Additionally, Sawant reminded the state about past corruption allegations linked to Raigad Fort, the capital of Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya. He argued that such history raises doubts about the government’s commitment.

As a result, he demanded full transparency in the preservation of all 12 UNESCO-listed forts. At last, Sawant said, “Let the world take inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj's ideals, not from our failures.”