On Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi delivered a powerful critique of the BJP government during a public meeting in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He focused on the significance of honoring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Gandhi asserted that paying tribute loses its meaning when the government fosters fear and undermines the Constitution and democratic institutions.
The event included the unveiling of a statue of Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Indian history. Gandhi seized this opportunity to express his concerns about the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He condemned the party for the recent collapse of another statue of the legendary warrior at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district.
He argued that the BJP‘s ideology is fundamentally flawed. “There is no point in honoring Shivaji Maharaj while instilling fear in people and dismantling the Constitution and institutions of our country,” he stated emphatically.
Gandhi’s remarks seemed to directly target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi had previously expressed remorse over the statue’s collapse. During a visit to Maharashtra on August 30, he stated that Shivaji Maharaj is more than just a name or a king. “For us, he is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologize to my deity,” Modi said.
The statue, standing 35 feet tall, had fallen on August 26. Modi unveiled it just a few months earlier, on December 4, 2023, to commemorate Navy Day.
In his address, Gandhi emphasized that Shivaji Maharaj‘s legacy is one of inclusivity. He reinforced the idea that the country belongs to all its people.
Gandhi further highlighted the vital connection between Shivaji Maharaj and the Indian Constitution. He remarked, “Without figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shahu Maharaj, we wouldn’t have the Constitution we do today”.
This statement underscores the enduring impact of these historical leaders on India’s democratic framework.
In a time of heightened political tensions, Gandhi‘s remarks serve as a reminder of the values that underpin India’s Constitution. He called for leaders to embody these principles.
As the nation grapples with issues of governance and civil rights, the legacy of figures like Shivaji Maharaj remains ever relevant.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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