Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday released the book Mari Rashtraprathamni Kalpana, authored by Uday Mahurkar and published by Navbharat Sahitya Mandir, at a programme held in Ahmedabad.

Addressing the gathering, former Information Commissioner Mahurkar characterized the last 11 years as an unprecedented era of “national re-awakening” and urged an uncompromising “Nation First” approach to India’s future.

Mahurkar stated that the progress made in the last decade, particularly in foreign policy and border infrastructure, has surpassed the achievements of the previous 60 years. He noted that India’s firm stance against global powers like China and the United States demonstrates a shift toward prioritizing national interests above all else.

During his address, Mahurkar drew heavily on historical figures to define his vision, which he called “My Idea of True Nation First”. He lauded Veer Savarkar as the “father of national security,” noting that Savarkar had predicted the partition of India as early as 1937. Mahurkar argued that Savarkar chose to lead a smaller party rather than join the Congress of that era because he believed the latter’s policies of “Muslim appeasement” were a betrayal of the nation.

In a pointed remark regarding national symbols and unity, Mahurkar stated, “The time has come to tell those who are opposing [Vande Mataram]: ‘Is desh mein rehna hoga toh Vande Mataram kehna hoga’ (If you want to live in this country, you must say Vande Mataram).”

Mahurkar also raised alarm regarding the impact of obscene digital content on society, claiming that “80% of rapes in the country are happening after watching such content”. He cited official police records to highlight a disturbing rise in cases of sexual violence within families triggered by media consumption.

Mahurkar revealed that he has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, supported by other activists and journalists, seeking legal regulation of obscene content. “Those who serve such content belong in jail, not in a civilized society,” he asserted.

The author also proposed a shift in how national role models are presented, suggesting that Delhi streets named after “invaders” like Babur or Tughlaq should be renamed after patriotic Muslims such as Brigadier Usman or Ibrahim Khan Gardi. He further argued that while the RSS often compares Deendayal Upadhyaya to Mahatma Gandhi, Upadhyaya should be promoted as the primary icon due to his more consistent stance on “Nation First” principles.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Gujarat BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma, Gyanvatsal Swami, and Bharatbhai Pandya.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the ideology of ‘Rashtra Pratham’ (Nation First) is not merely a political slogan but a way of life. He stated that citizens must take pride in India’s culture, traditions, and values. Sharing his experiences during foreign visits, he highlighted how people express pride in their mother tongue, adding that language and culture form the foundation of national identity.

Emphasizing the importance of positive values, Patel said that every individual carries a divine element within and should contribute constructively to nation-building. He noted that only when society prioritizes the interests of the nation can a prosperous and strong India be realized.

Spiritual leader Gyanvatsal Swami delivered a keynote address during the programme. Author Uday Mahurkar shared insights from the book and appealed to citizens to adopt the spirit of ‘Rashtra Pratham’ in their daily lives. DeshGujarat