Gandhinagar, Feb 17 (NationPress) - On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a magnificent statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Maharashtra Bhavan, located in Sector-21 of Gandhinagar. The event welcomed Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, esteemed BJP leaders, members of the Maharashtrian community, and a vibrant assembly of attendees.

During his speech, Shah emphasized that this statue would act as a perpetual reminder of the bravery, strategic foresight, and dedication to ‘Swaraj’ exhibited by Shivaji Maharaj for both current and future generations.

“The stories of Shivaji Maharaj’s bravery and governance principles continue to motivate us today,” he remarked.

Shah underscored Shivaji Maharaj’s historical significance, recalling that at the tender age of 16, he vowed to establish ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ at the Rayeshwar Mahadev temple in Pune, even when India was under foreign rule from Afghanistan to Kanyakumari and from Somnath to Odisha.

“His determination and the values imparted by his mother, Jijabai, were pivotal in liberating the region from centuries of oppression,” Shah noted.

Shah drew comparisons between Shivaji Maharaj’s mission to safeguard and restore temples and modern undertakings led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, advancements in the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and initiatives at the Somnath temple follow the path laid down by Shivaji Maharaj and reinforce Sanatan Dharma,” he added.

Additionally, Shah highlighted Shivaji Maharaj’s advocacy for Sanskrit and Marathi over foreign languages like Persian and Urdu, as well as his foundational role in creating the Indian Navy.

“Under our Prime Minister’s guidance, the Indian Navy has eliminated symbols of subjugation and established the ‘Shiv Mudrika’. Today, we are witnessing the realization of Shivaji Maharaj’s vision for Swaraj, native languages, and faith,” he remarked.

Shah reminisced about national poet Jhaverchand Meghani, who chose Shivaji Maharaj as the protagonist of his poetry to inspire courage and how the song ‘Shivaji nu Halardu’ continues to be sung in households across Gujarat, nurturing patriotism among the young.

The craftsmanship of the statue, depicting Shivaji Maharaj on horseback, was commended by Shah, who expressed that it would evoke a sense of patriotism and devotion for generations to come.

Among the dignitaries present were Jagdish Vishwakarma, state BJP president and MLA, Miraben Patel, Gandhinagar Mayor, Ritaben Patel, MLA, Natuji Thakor, Deputy Mayor, and numerous other notable guests, alongside a large crowd of citizens.