Sunil Lohan
S
hivaji Maharaj is an inspiration for the unity of Bharath : Bommai
Haveri (Shiggaon):Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a true patriot who transcended the boundaries of region and language.
For a patriot,caste,religion,or regional limits do not exist and Shivaji Maharaj went beyond all these barriers,said former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
He was speaking at the 398th birth anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,organized by the Kshatriya Maratha Society’s taluk and city units in Shiggaon,Haveri district on Monday.
He said being born in India is a blessing and those who understand history shape the future,while those who lack knowledge of history have no future.
Shivaji Maharaj was born to protect Bharat Mata and It is believed that Goddess Bhavani herself blessed him, granting him divine power.
Those with divine strength are ready to take on the world,and Shivaji Maharaj is a perfect example of this.
Sharing his experience of visiting Sinhagad in Pune, where Shivaji Maharaj’s struggle began against the vast Mughal Empire,Bommai said the Mughals ruled from Persia to Bhutan,while the Bahmani Sultanate dominated the Deccan.
When conflicts arose between these empires, the Mughals gained the upper hand and decided to expand their dominance in the south.
However, they never imagined that a young warrior would stand in their way.Shivaji Maharaj employed innovative military strategies to prevent the Mughals from advancing beyond the Vindhya Mountains and the Narmada River, securing immense support in the process.
Shivaji’s connection with Karnataka
The MP said Shivaji Maharaj’s influence was not confined to Maharashtra alone. His empire extended to Karnataka and even Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur.With a small army and tactical warfare, he built a vast empire.
Karnataka shares a deep historical connection with Shivaji Maharaj.He and his family spent time in Bengaluru, and historical records confirm this.
“Shivaji Maharaj was a patriot beyond any regional or linguistic limitations.True nationalists do not belong to a specific caste, religion,or region—they rise above all these barriers.
Even today, our country faces many challenges.Some forces still wish to keep India in a state of subjugation, but our central government is giving them a fitting response.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for breaking free from the mindset of servitude, yet some groups continue to live with a mentality of submission’.
The former CM said Shivaji Maharaj remains an inspiration for India’s unity and integrity. His birth anniversary celebrations serve this very purpose—to honor our heritage,culture, spiritual philosophy, inclusivity, and the spirit to fight against injustice.
Every nation has its unique identity and symbol of pride. India’s strength lies in its unity within diversity, and Shivaji Maharaj stands as a guiding force in preserving and fostering this strength.
The event was attended by Maratha community leaders, including Chandrappa Kalele and Subhash Chauhan.
