Eknath Shinde is a Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP) and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He and his followers defected from the Shiv Sena party in 2022 which triggered a major political crisis in the state, after which the Election Commission of India recognized Shinde’s group as the “real” Shiv Sena. He regularly makes pro-Hindutva statements and also targets those who criticize him.

In December 2023, Shinde embarked on a tour covering all major temple towns and shrines in the state to strengthen his party’s Hindutva credentials before the elections. He was also projected as a “Hindu Hriday Samrat” (Emperor of Hindu Hearts), a title originally used for Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar, and later for Balasaheb Thackeray, founder of the Shiv Sena. 

In January 2024, Shinde revived a decades-old claim at a political rally, that the Haji Malang dargah, a sufi shrine, was a temple, and declared his commitment to “liberating” it. Around two months later, he performed “aarti” (prayers) as part of “Malanggad Yatra” organized by Hindu groups on the same day as “Urs” is organized to mark the saint’s death anniversary.

In September 2024, Shinde emphasized the importance of faith and Hindu unity and hailed the state’s rich cultural heritage during an event in Thane, Maharashtra. When the crowd chanted “Jai Shri Ram,” Shinde said he felt he had arrived in Ayodhya, adding, “Faith and Hindu unity is important. “We will not leave Hindutva till our last breath.” 

In March 2025, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra referred to Shinde’s 2022 defection from the Shiv Sena party and indirectly called him a traitor during a show. Shinde stirred controversy about the state of free speech when he said, “There is freedom of expression. We understand satire. But there should be a limit.”

In April 2025, Shinde criticized Shiv Sena Uddhav Bal Thackeray (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, a controversial move to strip the charitable Islamic Waqf Boards of their power. Shinde accused him of straying from Hindutva and Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology.

“The Waqf Board was in the hands of a handful of people, but now, with the bill introduced by Modi ji, their dominance will end. This will provide an opportunity for women and children to come into the mainstream. It will benefit the poor sections of the Muslim community, but Congress wants to keep Muslims poor for the sake of votes,” Shinde defended the bill.

In May 2025, Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strong stance on national security and Hindutva at a public event in Thane. “Modi Ji, is the one who promotes the ideology of Hindutva…Whatever he does, he does it openly; he does not do it secretly,” he claimed.

Shinde’s social media posts portray him attending religious events and praising Maharashtrian historical figures, other Hindutva leaders as well as Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members.