Amit Shah unveils equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Amit Shah on Tuesday unveiled a grand equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj constructed by Maharashtra Samaj in Gandhinagar. The ceremony was attended by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and several other dignitaries.Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said the unveiling of the nearly 21-foot-tall statue of the founder of ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ was a moment of pride and joy for the people of Gandhinagar. He noted that the statue would serve as a lasting source of inspiration for residents, especially the youth, for generations to come.He said the life and achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would never become irrelevant and that the nation would remain indebted to his unparalleled contributions. Recalling the historical context, Shah said that during a period when the country was engulfed in the darkness of slavery—from Afghanistan to Kanyakumari and from Somnath to Odisha—the dominance of the Mughal Empire appeared unshakeable and the idea of self-rule had nearly vanished.
At just 16 years of age, Shivaji Maharaj took a firm pledge at the Raireshwar Temple in Raigad to establish ‘Hindavi Swaraj’, giving a new direction to the nation. Despite lacking resources, an army, or a large empire, and with his father in the service of Bijapur, he resolved to dedicate his life to Swaraj, Swadharma and Swabhasha. Within four decades, he broke what Shah described as two-and-a-half centuries of subjugation and was coronated as Chhatrapati, realising his vision of self-rule.
Shah said Shivaji Maharaj never abandoned the path of struggle. Even when Mughal emperor Aurangzeb deployed vast forces against him, he did not retreat. Referring to the demolition of temples in Kashi and Mathura during that era, Shah said Shivaji Maharaj protected temples in the south and restored the Saptakoteshwar Temple, sending a message that Sanatan Dharma would not end with the destruction of temples.
Drawing a parallel with contemporary developments, Shah said Narendra Modi undertook the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the Somnath Temple, both of which had faced destruction during invasions. He said this reflected how Shivaji Maharaj’s resolve has been embraced by the nation today.Highlighting Shivaji Maharaj’s strategic vision, Shah said he established a navy for the first time and declared, “Jyache Armar, Tyacha Samudra” — he who has the navy controls the sea. He added that the present government has honoured Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy by removing colonial symbols from the Indian Navy’s flag.
Referring to historical accounts, Shah said that at the time of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation, scholar Gaga Bhatt had predicted that India would one day stand before the world in full glory, a prophecy he said now appears to be coming true.He also noted that several prominent national figures and literary personalities, including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Rabindranath Tagore, Subramania Bharati and Sri Aurobindo, composed works praising Shivaji Maharaj. Gujarati poet Zaverchand Meghani’s “Shivaji Nu Halaradu” was mentioned as a work that instilled bravery in children.
Shah said Shivaji Maharaj worked for the upliftment of Indian languages by promoting Marathi and Sanskrit in administration and nurturing a generation committed to Swaraj, Swabhasha and Swadharma. Within a century of his passing, the saffron flag associated with his legacy was seen flying from Attock to Cuttack and from Cuttack to Pune.Shah said that today’s India, guided by the values and vision of Shivaji Maharaj, stands before the world in a radiant and resplendent form.

(State Correspondent)