World Can Take Inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Shah

 Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday paid respect to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the historic Raigad fort. Addressing the event on the occasion of the death anniversary of the Maratha king, Mr. Shah said that Raigad fort should be transformed as a “place of inspiration” for the youth of the country instead of a place of tourism and stressed that his legacy shouldn’t be confined to only Maharashtra.

Referring to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the Union home minister said “The one who called himself Alamgir and fought the Marathas till he was alive, died a defeated man in Maharashtra.”

Mr. Shah, who arrived on Friday night in Pune district of Maharashtra, went to Raigad fort on the occasion of the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.He was accompanied by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde. Mr. Shah also paid rich tributes to Rajmata Jijau, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

“When Shivaji Maharaj was born, the situation in the country was gloomy. But courageous Shivaji Maharaj had given a slogan of Hindavi Swarajya to the country,” Mr. Shah said adding that every child in the country should be taught “Shivcharitra” (biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj).

“I want to say to the people of Maharashtra with folded hands that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should not be confined in Maharashtra. The country and the world can take inspiration from him,” Mr. Shah said.

The Union home minister said that the central government and the state government are committed to develop the Raigad fort as a place of inspiration for the youth of the country. “I have asked Devendra Fadnavis to ensure every student from class 7 to class 12 visits this place of inspiration,” he said.

Satara Lok Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale, who is a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, demanded to make new law with a provision of non-bailable offence and punishment of 10 years imprisonment to anyone disrespecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. He also demanded that a national memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should be developed at Delhi.

Supporting Mr. Bhosale’s demand, Mr. Fadnavis requested the Union home minister to support the construction of a national memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the national capital.