Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, paid homage to Rajmata Jijau — mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and a revered figure in Maratha history — on the occasion of her Punyatithi (death anniversary).

Context

In his post on X, Gadkari offered a humble tribute in Marathi, describing Rajmata Jijau as the inspirational force behind the founder of Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of the people). The original text reads: 'हिंदवी स्वराज्याचा पाया रचणाऱ्या शिवछत्रपतींच्या प्रेरणास्रोत राजमाता जिजाऊ माँ साहेब यांच्या पुण्यतिथीनिमित्त त्यांना विनम्र अभिवादन' — translated as: 'On the Punyatithi of Rajmata Jijau Maa Saheb, the source of inspiration for Chhatrapati Shivaji who laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya, I offer a humble salute.'

Gadkari, a senior BJP leader from Nagpur, Maharashtra, has a long record of publicly honouring figures central to Maratha cultural and political heritage.

Policy Backdrop

Rajmata Jijabai, born in the early 17th century, is widely credited with shaping the moral and administrative vision that guided Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in establishing the Maratha Empire. Her emphasis on justice, self-governance, and the welfare of common people became foundational principles of the Maratha polity.

The concept of Hindavi Swarajya — a sovereign realm governed by and for the people of the land — remains a touchstone in Maharashtra's political discourse, invoked across party lines to signal commitment to regional pride and grassroots governance.

Stakeholders and Impact

Tributes to Rajmata Jijau carry significant resonance among Maharashtra's Maharashtrian communities, Maratha history scholars, and cultural organisations that observe her Punyatithi annually. For BJP leaders from the state, such acknowledgements reinforce the party's engagement with local heritage alongside its national narrative.

The tribute comes at a time when Maharashtra continues to witness active public discourse around Maratha history, with civic bodies and cultural groups organising commemorative events each year around this date.

What's Next

State-level programmes and cultural events in Maharashtra are expected to mark the Punyatithi, with BJP units and allied organisations likely to hold local observances. Any related cultural policy announcements from the state government in the coming weeks will be closely watched by historians and community groups engaged with Maratha heritage.

As Maharashtra approaches its own electoral and governance cycles, the consistent invocation of figures like Rajmata Jijau by senior central ministers underscores the enduring political and cultural weight that Maratha icons carry in shaping public sentiment across the state.