Gadchiroli Feb. 21 (District correspondent) Don’t paint Shivaji Maharaj as the enemy of Muslims and protector of Bramhins and cows. Shivaji Maharaj never believed in caste and religion. He treated every individual equally and never ever thought on the religious lines.
This was stated by Dr. Santosh Suradkar, well known thinker and Professor in gondwana University while speaking at the Jayanti programme of Shivaji Maharaj at village Vihirgaon in Wadsa taluka the other day.
The programme that was organized by Swarajya Pratishthan was inaugurated at the hands of Mr. Vijay Meshram, noted litterateur. Mr. Rohidas Raut, senior journalist, presided while Mr. Pankaj Wanjari, Principal of Imperial Convent, Raj Bansod, BRSP in-charge, Prateek Dange, Homraj Hadkude, Ms. Bharti Jumnake, Sarpancha of Vihirgaon, Dr. N. J. Bansod, Medical Officer were present as the chief guests.
Dr. Suradkar further said that Shivaji Maharaj was a great warrior and strategist. His real history was not brought to the fore so far so that the OBCs should have bad feelings about a particular community and religion. This needs to be stopped now and the ideals of equality preached by the great King should be carried forward.
Mr. Vijay Meshram said Shivaji Maharaj was a real hero who always fought for the protection of his subjects. He treated women as mothers and did not tolerate their insult. His army comprised of all the sections of society. The teachings of this great son of india need to be followed.
In his presidential speech Mr. Rohidas Raut said that during the regime of Shivaji Maharaj every citizen felt that Shivaji’s kingdom was his own kingdom. The people were willingly ready to sacrifice themselves for the King and the land. This feeling was instilled among the people by the principles of Shivaji Maharaj. We should think beyond the caste and religion and work for the betterment of the people and the country. That is the real message of Shivaji Maharaj, he added.
At the outset, a grand procession of the portrait of Shivaji Maharaj was taken out in the village. Dances based on the life of the Maharaj were presented by the students. Cultural porgrammes were also organized in the night.
Shekhar Nihate, President of the Swarajya Pratishthan conducted the programme and also proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of villagers attended the programme.
