Mumbai, March 2008

Here is a speech by Narendra Modi in Mumbai in March 2008 on Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Great Hindu King of medieval time. This speech happened on the occasion of an exhibition of FACT sponsored by eminent right wing pro hindu thinker and author shri Praful Goradiya.

Glimpses of Speech

In a veiled attack on Congress-led UPA Government, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that the Centre should take a leaf out of King Shivaji’s life.

“In a letter written to Aurangazeb protesting the imposition of ‘jazia’ (tax) on Hindus, Shivaji had endorsed secularism…Even three hundred years ago he knew about secularism,” Modi said, inaugurating an exhibition of the 17th century Maratha king’s life here.

“Unfortunately, three hundred years on, our Prime Minister today says people of a particular community have first right to country’s resources,” the BJP leader said.

He also said that “today’s rulers must look up to King Shivaji, as even three hundred years ago he had paid heed to development of infrastructure… He built roads connecting his forts.” The Maratha legend was not given his due by the history, Modi rued, saying Indian historians hail likes of Alexander and Napolean, but few rulers in the world could build an empire with scarce resources and hard topography that Maharashtra offered.

Shivaji should be an ideal figure for all those fighting terrorism, he said.