CM Devendra Fadnavis Announces New Law, National Memorial For Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

On Saturday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made several big announcements during his visit to Raigad Fort, the historic capital of the Maratha empire. The visit took place to mark the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was crowned there in 1674 and died at the fort in 1680.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the state would soon introduce a new law to punish anyone who insults Maharashtra's cultural icons, especially Shivaji Maharaj, as per a Hindustan Times (HT) report. He said that although some may feel such people should be punished harshly, the law would follow democratic principles.

Photo Credit: PTI

"We live in a democracy," he said, "so there will be a proper law instead of emotional reactions."

The chief minister also announced the creation of an official history book about Shivaji. This book, he said, would ensure that the story of the great Maratha king is presented accurately and cannot be misrepresented by others.

In another major announcement, Chief Minister Fadnavis said the first national memorial to Shivaji Maharaj would be built in New Delhi. He made this request in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also at Raigad Fort.

"We will come to Delhi to identify a good place for the memorial, and with your help, we will build it," he told Home Minister Shah.

These announcements come after recent public arguments over the legacy of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and his role in the history of the Marathas. The debate began when a Samajwadi Party leader, Abu Asim Azmi, commented on the film Chhaava, which showed the cruel death of Shivaji's son, Sambhaji. Azmi denied the film's version of events and said Aurangzeb was a good ruler. His statement caused anger among many in Maharashtra.

In response, BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji, demanded that there should be a law against such disrespectful remarks.

At the same time, Chief Minister Fadnavis also spoke about the long-delayed project to build a grand sea memorial to Shivaji off the Mumbai coast. He said the matter, earlier stuck in the Supreme Court, has now been moved to the Bombay High Court.

"We are loyal followers of Shivaji Maharaj and will not give up. We will make sure the memorial is built," he said.

In the state budget presented last month, the government also promised to build several memorials for Shivaji and his son Sambhaji, including a possible one in Agra, where Shivaji was once held prisoner.

These steps, the chief minister said, aim to honour the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and protect it for future generations.