PUNE, Feb 19: On the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s 395th birth anniversary on Wednesday, heartfelt tributes were paid, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dubbing him a “management guru” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his visionary leadership that continues to inspire the nation.
Notably, the day saw the “Chhava” actor Vicky Kaushal visit the Raigad fort to honor the legendary 17th-century leader, amid some political contention as the BJP criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for using the term “shraddhanjali” during a birth anniversary, instead of the more traditional “adaranjali”.
In a message on X regarding the Maratha empire’s founder, PM Modi said, ‘His bravery and foresight laid the groundwork for Swarajya, motivating generations to embody the values of courage and justice. He serves as an inspiration in our quest to build a robust, self-sufficient, and thriving India.’
At a gathering held at Fort Shivneri in Pune district, where Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized that Shivaji was not only a fierce warrior but also an exceptional administrator, exemplifying how to establish a welfare state.
“He truly was a management guru,” Fadnavis asserted.
“While many kings and kingdoms accepted Mughal dominance, Shivaji’s mother, Mata Jijau, foresaw her son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the leader destined to eradicate exploitation and tyranny, leading people towards `Swarajya’ (self-rule),” he elaborated.
Fadnavis highlighted the significance of maintaining Shivaji Maharaj’s forts, arguing that they hold more value than temples.
“We are diligently working to ensure these forts are conserved by eliminating obstacles. A task force has been established to clear all encroachments from these sites. Regardless of the challenges, we will remove these encroachments,” he vowed.
The CM additionally announced that 12 forts in Maharashtra have been put forward for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site designation, as part of Prime Minister Modi’s initiative.
“In the near future, a Maharashtra government team, led by Minister Ashish Shelar, will present these forts as exemplary architectural wonders at a UNESCO event in Paris,” he mentioned.
Responding to a journalist’s inquiry afterwards, the chief minister warned that anyone attempting to disrespect Shivaji Maharaj would be “properly dealt with,” stating that the state would not forgive such actions.
Besides Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar participated in various events to commemorate the birth anniversary, including a ‘cradle ceremony’ at the Shivneri Fort.
Actor Vicky Kaushal, who portrays Shivaji Maharaj’s son Chhatrapati Sambhaji in the newly released film “Chhava,” expressed feeling a “divine sensation” during his first visit to the Raigad Fort, situated 820 meters above the base in the Sahyadri ranges.
Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare accompanied Kaushal to the fort, which historically served as the headquarters of Shivaji’s state and where the king passed away in 1680.
“This is my first visit here. It’s truly an honor to portray Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the movie. I felt a divine connection after visiting the fort,” he shared with reporters.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Fadnavis led a ‘padyatra’ (foot procession) in Pune to honor the birth anniversary.
Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal remarked that Shivaji Maharaj’s vision and social philosophy continue to inspire successive generations.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded ‘Swarajya’ with the support of warriors from diverse castes and communities. He employed guerrilla warfare tactics to combat powerful foes. His vision and philosophy persist as guiding principles for future generations,” stated the Congress leader.
He added that Shivaji not only contended with rulers like Aurangzeb, Nizamshah, and Adilshah, but also challenged the religious dogmas of his era.
Meanwhile, the BJP targeted the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of showing disrespect towards Shivaji Maharaj by referring to him with “shraddhanjali” (homage) instead of the more respectful “adaranjali” (tribute) on his birth anniversary.
Mumbai BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar claimed that Gandhi intentionally or unintentionally disrespected Maharashtra’s pride and demanded that he retract his post on X, threatening “legal consequences” otherwise.
Gandhi’s post in Hindi indicated that he was offering “sadar naman and vinamra shraddhanjali” to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In response to the backlash, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe noted that PM Modi had previously used the term “shraddhanjali” in his own message on Shiv Jayanti. (PTI)
