Amit Shah unveils Peshwa Bajirao's statue, highlights commitment to 'Swaraj'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Friday that Indias armed forces and leadership are resolute in their commitment to defend the nations Swaraj or sovereignty He cited Operation Sindoor Indias military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May as a prime example of this resolve reported news agency PTISpeaking at the National Defence Academy NDA in Pune after unveiling an equestrian statue of the Maratha statesman and general Peshwa Bajirao I the BJP leader shared that he draws inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Bajirao whenever he encounters negative thoughtsShah stated that the triservice institute NDA is the most fitting location for Bajiraos memorial as it is where Indias military leadership receives its trainingWhenever negative thoughts come to my mind I usually think about Bal young Shivaji and Peshwa Bajirao thinking that they were able to establish a Swaraj selfrule or sovereign state amidst adverse conditions he remarkedHe added that the responsibility to defend Swaraj now rests with all 140 crore Indians When it was time to put up a fight to establish a Swaraj we did it When fighting will be required to defend the Swaraj our forces and leadership will definitely demonstrate it and Operation Sindoor was its finest example he assertedPaying tribute to Bajirao I 1700 to 1740 Shah stressed that if the struggle for independence initiated by Shivaji Maharaj and continued by the Peshwas for a century had not been fought Indias basic structure would have ceased to exist He further stated In his life of 40 years Peshwa Bajirao scripted immortal history which no other person could writeBajirao who became Peshwa or prime minister of the Maratha state at the young age of 19 is widely credited with the expansion of Maratha rule across central and northern India Following the event Shah also engaged with NDA cadetsShah highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modis mantra of Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi growth with heritage under which it is crucial to make Indias millenniaold culture history and inspiring figures accessible to its youth and military personnel according to PTIThe Union Minister noted that Pune is the birthplace of the Swaraj ethos He affirmed that the call for Swaraj emerged from Pune in the 17th century and when the time came for the people to fight for Swaraj against the British Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Maharaj was the first to demand it He also mentioned thatHindutva icon and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar from Maharashtra exemplified how much an individual can contribute to their country in a lifetimeWhile numerous statues of Peshwa Bajirao exist nationwide Shah maintained that the NDA is the most appropriate location for his memorial given that the future leaders of Indias three armed forces are trained there If our future soldiers draw inspiration from Bajirao Peshwa and learn from his life no one would dare to challenge Indias borders for ages to come Shah declaredThe Union Minister also stated that some of Peshwa Bajiraos principles of warfare are timeless and eternal The strategy speed dedication patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice of Bajirao are what lead armies to victory in war Bajirao Peshwa fought 41 battles in a span of 20 years and emerged victorious in all of them andAcademy NDA is the most fitting place for the statue of a brave warrior like Bajirao Peshwa who never allowed defeat to come near him throughout his life he averredHe further added that with his skills strategy and the help of brave companions Bajirao Peshwa transformed many losing battles into victories Bajirao Peshwa destroyed the symbols of slavery wherever they existed and lit the lamp of freedomMoreover Shah noted that throughout his 20year tenure no one ever saw Bajirao Peshwa dismount from his horse The legendary Maratha statesman initiated the construction of Shaniwarwada a historical fortification in Pune implemented water management systems and campaigned against social evilsShah observed that some people refer to Bajirao Peshwa as a divinely gifted commander an invincible warrior and the greatest disciple of Shivaji Maharaj He emphasised that Bajirao fought all his battles not for personal gain but for the nation and Swaraj Bajirao Peshwa fought every battle for his motherland religion and Swaraj creating an immortal history that no one will be able to replicate for centuries to come he statedShah also mentioned that in his short lifespan Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj not only established Hindavi Swaraj but also instilled the values of Swaraj in the hearts of the youth He reiterated that if the Peshwas had not continued the fight for independence started by Shivaji Maharaj for 100 years then the original essence of India would not have been the same todayChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also present at the event commented that British and to some extent later native historians had done an injustice to heroes from Indian historyThe chapter on Hindvi Swaraj and the Maratha empire was even deleted from our history It was made to believe that after the Mughals it was the British who came to rule us Due to this distortion many of our real heroes were forgotten he saidHe concluded by stating But under the leadership of Modiji attempts are being made to ensure that the real history of our heroes warriors and freedom fighters reach to the next generationsWith inputs from PTI