Our strength is in unity, Bangladesh situation a warning: Adityanath in Agra

“Nothing is greater than the nation. Our strength lies in our unity. If we allow ourselves to be divided, we will fall. The situation in Bangladesh serves as a warning — those mistakes must not be repeated here. We must stay united, uphold our noble values, ensure our safety and strive for the pinnacle of prosperity.”

The CM greeted the gathering on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami with a warm “Radhe-Radhe.” After unveiling a statue of Durgadas Rathore, he said, “It feels as if this statue has been waiting for me for the past ten years and today, I am blessed to be here on this auspicious occasion of Krishna Kanhaiya’s birth.”

He underlined the significance of unveiling such a grand statue of Rathore in Agra, coinciding with the centenary year of the Kakori Train Action, a pivotal event in India’s freedom struggle.

“On August 9, 1925, revolutionaries such as Pt Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Chandrashekhar Azad boldly challenged British rule with the train action. Although the revolutionaries secured only Rs 4,600, the British spent Rs 10 lakh to arrest and punish them. Yet, the fight for India’s independence remained unshaken. These great sons of Mother India, with their enduring spirit, continued their relentless efforts to undermine foreign rule,” he said.

The centenary year of the Kakori train action serves as an occasion to honour, remember, and pay tribute to all of India’s national heroes and to draw inspiration from their unwavering commitment to our nation, he added.

The CM remarked that while many succumbed to the Mughals and the British, “Rashtraveer Durgadas Rathore” stood out. “Visit Rajasthan,” he said. “You will see that he is revered, especially in Jodhpur, where a deep reverence prevails. I am here to strengthen that reverence.”

Adityanath also spoke about historical connections, saying, “We know our history. Aurangzeb had ties to this very Agra, where Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great hero of the Hindavi Swarajya, defied his power. Shivaji boldly declared that Aurangzeb would struggle like a rat but would never conquer Hindustan. Maharaja Jaswant Singh led the resistance in Rajasthan, with Rashtraveer Durgadas Rathore as his key commander. Despite Aurangzeb’s repeated attempts, he couldn’t conquer this land. How could any foreign invader succeed where brave nationalists such as Rashtraveer Durgadas Rathore stood firm? But Aurangzeb, being wicked and cunning, resorted to deceit. He made a treaty with Maharaja Dashrath Singh, promising no harm to Jodhpur, and lured him by claiming that Afghans were about to invade India. Through trickery, he captured and killed him.”

The CM said, “Lord Krishna resides in every speck of Agra’s soil. This city is a beacon of art, trust, faith, and dedication. Let this trust, faith, and rich cultural heritage flourish with national pride.”