Shivaji Maharaj was truly a secular king: Nitin Gadkari

Gadkari said untouchability, casteism and inequality in society should end.

nitin gadkari, Amrut Mahotsav, maharashtra,

Gadkari was speaking at the Amrut Mahotsav and felicitation of Purushottam Khedekar organised by Maratha Seva Sangh in Pune. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was truly a secular king.

“If I respect someone even more than my parents, it is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Because there is no other ideal king, ideal ruler, ideal father, ideal kid, like him… He won so many battles but in no situation was there injustice or torture after winning a battle… If there was ever a secular king, it was Shivaji Maharaj. Because he was the only king who was equal to all religions,” Gadkari said, adding that the Maratha warrior king did not demolish places of worship of other religions while expanding Swarajya, and did not commit injustice or torture any women.

Gadkari was speaking at the Amrut Mahotsav and felicitation of Purushottam Khedekar organised by Maratha Seva Sangh in Pune.

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“Knowledge with life values is important. Gautam Buddha, Mahavir, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Dyaneshwar Maharaj, Tukaram Maharaj, you can study any of their lives. Their strength is their values. Difference of opinion is not an issue in this country, but thoughtlessness is. When a government is formed politicians are quick to make announcements. But once the government goes they are the first to leave as well,” he said.

Gadkari said untouchability, casteism and inequality in society should end. Qualities are what makes you great and gives you an identity that transcends caste, language, state and creed, he added.

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