Suresh C. Angadi, MP, offering tributes to Chatrapati Shivaji at Shivaji Garden on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti celebrations in Belagavi on Thursday. —Photo: By special arrangement
N. Shankarappa, former chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, termed Chatrapati Shivaji “a national hero, who relentlessly fought for defending the Hindu nation.”
He was delivering a lecture at the birth anniversary celebrations of Chatrapati Shivaji at Pandit Siddarama Jambaladinni Auditorium in Raichur on Thursday.
“Shivaji led Marathas in heroic battles for defending Hinduism when it was under threat. He has left undeniable footprints in the history of India with his persistent struggles, daring action, immense scarifies and great adventures,” Mr. Shankarapa said.
Raichur Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Vijaya V. Jyotsna, who inaugurated the celebrations, said that Shivaji was one of the greatest heroes that India had ever produced. Councillor Narasappa Yeklaspur said that all efforts would be put for erecting a statue of Shivaji in Raichur city.
Yadgir MLA A.B. Malakareddy said that Shivaji’s contribution towards national integration was remarkable. Deputy Commissioner Manoj Jain, Gulbarga Command Area Development Authority Chairman Srinivasreddy Kandkur, Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishat district unit President Narayanrao Chawan and others were present.
Procession
Folk artistes took out a procession in Bidar. Bhagwant Khuba, MP, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, MLA, the former MLA Bandeppa Kashempur and others danced to the tune of drums.
Maratha history expert and author Shrimanth Kokate spoke on the life and contribution of the warrior King.
“Shivaji was a political leader. Attempts to portray him as a religious leader are wrong,” he said. Shivaji’s conquests should not be interpreted as crusades against any religion. Never in his life, did he try to promote one religion or destroy another. All his campaigns were political, he said.