Let Chhatrapati Shivaraya be not limited to Maharashtra : Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s 345th death anniversary programme held at Raigad

Raigad, Maharashtra – “This is 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I have read his biography. Jijaumata did not only give birth to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but she also motivated him to revive ‘Swarajya’, ‘Swa-Dharma’ and ‘Swa-bhasha (language)’. She imbibed in Shivaji as a child, the thought of bringing the whole country together and its freedom; therefore, I am paying regards to Maa-saheb. Shivaji’s life history should be taught to every Indian, every child. I appeal to everyone to not limit Chhatrapati Shivaraya only to Maharashtra. This country and the whole world are taking inspiration from him,” stated Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he addressed the programme held to pay tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion of his 345th death anniversary. The State Chief Minister, Devendra Fadanvis, also attended the programme, besides, deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and several MPs, MLAs and other leaders.

Shah further stated –

1. I have come here after many years. I cannot express my feelings when I pay tribute to the throne. I am attending a gathering held for a person who invoked the urge amongst people to fight for ‘Swa-Dharma’, ‘Swarajya’ and wish to live to accomplish their goal. Words fail me to express myself.

2. The people of the country were living in darkness when Chhatrapati Shivaraya was born. Nobody had imagined about ‘Swarajya’. The south kingdoms had also fallen to invasion. As such, people had started to feel that thinking about ‘Swarajya’ and ‘Swa-Dharma was a crime. A 12-year-old boy, however, took an oath of hoisting the saffron flag from Sindhu to Kanyakumari.

3. I have read biographies of many leaders; but only Shivaraya could build an unconquerable regime with his unflinching willpower, expertise in war strategies and bringing together people from all strata of society.

4. Chhatrapati’s ‘Mawlas’ went from Atak to Katak and up to Bengal; while in the south, they went to Karnataka. Then, people started to believe that the country would be freed. So, the country was saved, languages were saved and we are able to hold our heads high in the world after independence.

5. The three thoughts about being proud of our own Dharma, the urge to establish our own country and making our language unforgettable, are not associated with the boundaries of this country. They are associated with self-respect of human beings. Shivaraya kept these thoughts in front of the world. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave such thoughts when the invaders were ruling us and had ingrained a slavish mentality in us.

6. We are making a resolve on Raigad that when we complete 100 years of our independence, India will be top on the list in the world.

7. Aurangzeb came after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; but by then, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, Tararani, Santaji and Dhanaji fought with him and built his tomb here.

8. Our government is committed to making Raigad not just a tourist destination, but a source of inspiration. Every student from 7th to 12th grade should visit this inspiring place at least once.

A law will be enacted to punish for insulting our great national leaders – CM Devendra Fadanvis

CM Fadanvis announced enactment of a law for punishing people involved in insulting our great national leaders. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s true history will be published by the Government. He stated that MP Udayan Raje had made a few demands. Those insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should be strictly punished. In fact, such offenders should be thrown off the Takmak Tok (point) on Raigad; but we are living under a democratic governance; therefore, we can form rules in this context. The case of memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been shifted to the High Court from the Supreme Court. We will fight in the high court and will be successful in our demand of constructing a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

India brought under saffron rule due to Shivaraya

CM Fadanvis added that we would have had no identity had Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj not been there because only he worked to awaken the radiance in us. He brought people from all castes and creeds together, lighting that spark in them. He established ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ by uniting ‘Mawlas’. Saffron ruled the whole India only because of Shivaji Maharaj.

We exist only due to Chhatrapati Shivaraya – Eknath Shinde, Dy CM

Chhatrapati Shivaraya did not have a long life. Had he lived for 20-30 years more, the history of this country would have been different. Chhatrapati Shivaraya was the one to hoist the flag of ‘Swarajya’. In its absence, we would have been still languishing in slavery. We cannot forget that our existence is only because of Chhatrapati Shivaraya. Shivaraya picked up his sword but it never had innocent people’s blood; therefore, his politics doesn’t smell of blood but has the smell of humanity. Mr Eknath Shinde commended Amit Shah for repealing Article 370, for his speech made at the time of presenting Waqf Bill, for destroying terrorists and for extradition of Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind of 26/11 terrorist attack.