Mahan mahanayak: PM Modi leads tributes on Shivaji Jayanti

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his 392nd birth anniversary on Saturday. Shivaji was born on February 19, 1630 at the Shivneri fort, near Junnar in present day Pune district.

Tweeting early on Saturday, Modi said that Shivaji’s leaderhip has been inspiring people for generations and ‘we are committed to fulfilling his vision’. 

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“I bow to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. His outstanding leadership and emphasis on social welfare has been inspiring people for generations. He was uncompromising when it came to standing up for values of truth and justice. We are committed to fulfilling his vision,” the Prime Minister’s tweet read. 

The Congress described the Maratha kings as one of the greatest ‘born on our motherland’. 

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“One of the greatest rulers to be born on our motherland, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha empire—based on justice, welfare & tolerance—that lasted for almost 150 years. We pay our humble tributes to this brave son of Bharat Mata on his birth anniversary,” the party tweeted. 

Shivaji Jayanti was first oserved by social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in 1880. He discovered the Samadhi of the king in Raigad. The founder of Satyashodhak Samaj also wrote the first  “Powada” on Shivaji Maharaj in 1869.

A powada is a genre of Marathi poetry that is meant to glorify the deeds of popular folk figures and leaders such as Chhatrapati Shivaji and Tanaji Malusare. 

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On the eve of Shivaji Jayanti, PM Modi called the Bhonsle Maratha clan member as a ‘mahan mahanayak’ or a great hero and pride of India. 

He was speaking after virtually inaugurating two additional railway lines (5th and 6th) on the Thane-Diva section of the Central Railway and flagging off new suburban trains.

“Tomorrow (Feb 19) is jayanti of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I salute India’s pride, India’s identity and protector of her culture who was a great hero (mahan mahanayak),” he said.

The Congress in Maharashtra has demanded that Modi apologise and seek forgiveness on Shiv Jayanti for his alleged anti-Maharashtra remarks made in context of the coronavirus pandemic.