Last year, it was a controversy over caste. This year, it’s over age. Nearly a year after noted literary figure Babasaheb Purandare was presented with the Maharashtra Bhushan, his selection is once again at the centre of a controversy after it was revealed that the state’s most coveted award may have gone to Purandare because of his age. The noted historical writer and playwright is 93 years old.

A file picture of Babasaheb Purandare at the award ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in October last year