Shivaji's statue to come up at Panipat's Kala Amb: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced that Shivaji's statue would be established at Kala Amb, a historical memorial of the three battles of Panipat. He was addressing a gathering as a chief guest at a programme organised by the Shaurya Samarak Committee at Kala Amb.

Fadnavis said Maharashtra would jointly organise the programme with the Haryana Government next year. “Historical land Panipat gives the message of bravery and unity. From here, the Marathas got the formula to live in unity, and after this, they established Hind Swaraj,” he said, adding that the Marathas re-established the saffron in the country after teaching the invaders a lesson.

The Marathas fought for God, country and religion after shunning narrow interests. If any other king had come forward to help the Marathas, Abdali would have been defeated, he said.

“The slogan of developed India given by PM Narendra Modi would be fulfilled only when all Indians unite and abandon caste-based discrimination,” Fadnavis said.

Union AYUSH, Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Rao Jadhav said it was important for all of us to remember that heroes and warriors had sacrificed their lives in Panipat.

Jadhav said the Maharashtra Government was working on teaching Maratha history in schools, along with health and education. Memorials had also been established at some places, he said.

Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse; Jai Kumar Rawal, a minister in the Maharashtra Government; Raosaheb Danve Patil, a former Maharashtra minister; and MPs Rajabhau Waje and Bhaskar Bhagare, among others, were present.