Today 26 June 2024 is the 150th birthday of Rosi Lokraje Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The Crowd-Loving King Will Never Be Seen Again
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Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj
After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj (born on June 26, 1874, died on May 6, 1922) is a name that must be remembered for those who have left a lasting legacy on future generations through their actions and ideas. He was a learned king who prioritized social justice. He was a rare ruler who famously said, “I may relinquish the throne for a while, but I will never abandon the work for the welfare of the masses.”
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj risked his kingship to establish the ideals he cherished throughout his life. He was progressive and transformative. However, today his principles are being weakened. Efforts are being made rapidly to pollute social life on the basis of caste and religion. Anyone promoting casteism and bigotry has no moral right to take the name of Shahu Maharaj. As we celebrate his 150th birth anniversary, it is important to uphold his ideals and build a just society as he envisioned it.
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj: A Visionary Leader of Social Reform
In April 1919, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was honored with the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by the Kurmi community in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The event also marked the centenary of the ‘Mangav’ Parishad, where Shahu Maharaj was the chief guest. Later, during 21 and 22 March 1919, an All Maharashtra Depressed Classes Conference was organized at Shahuraiya in Kolhapur State. The legacy of thinkers like Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar is deeply rooted in the principles of humanity. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj especially honored Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as a distinguished ‘Pandit’ and ‘Gem of Science’. He also urged the untouchables to lead their caste. By choosing Dr. Ambedkar as their leader, they hoped that he would deliver them.
Physical strength for wrestling and hunting, diplomacy for politics and government, foresight, recognition of the right people, sensitivity to merit, inclination to promote the dramatic arts, activity for religion and social reform, power and wealth for liberation. Eagerness to use, destroy all inequality and establish equality, Rajarshi Shahu’s personality was rich with many qualities like ability to work. Since 2003, Shahu Raj’s birthday is celebrated as ‘Social Justice Day’ by the Government of Maharashtra. The reason for this is that Maharaj did the constructive work of establishing a state of equality.
Legacy of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj: Empowering the Masses Through Education and Social Justice
The Constitution of India promises to endeavor to maintain a brotherhood which will ensure to all people social, economic and political justice, freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, equality of status and opportunity, national unity and integrity. Gives guarantee. For this purpose, fundamental rights and duties have been included in the Constitution. Which was started by Rajarshini during her rule. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj wanted equality and he insisted on it. His role was clear. Dr. The thoughts of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj were complementary to each other. Baba Saheb had said about social justice that, ‘The goal of egalitarianism is not to treat everyone equally but to establish equality. It is not possible to follow the same path while having this aim. Where all people are equal, inequality will arise due to equality of some people. But where people are unequal, to use the same language means to oppose the goal of equality.’ Equality cannot exist among equals. Treating disparity as equal means worshiping disparity. It is noted how seriously Rajarshi Rajyakarbharachi Sutras take the proposal of social justice.
He was the son of Kagalkar Jaisingrao Ghatge. Shahu Raj was adopted in 1884. In the year 1894 he actually accepted the Rajsutra. This phenomenon was described by Lokmanya Tilak as ‘Milk Sugar Yoga’. Before that, Kagalkar Jaisingrao Ghatge i.e. Shahuraj’s father Lokmanya Tilak and Agarkar had helped each other in the famous Barve case. Later, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj gave great help to the organization by accepting the post of President of Deccan Education Society. In the above mentioned case, the relationship between Lokraje and Lokmanya broke down. Undoubtedly, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj’s role in this was correct. Later Maharaj along with Sanatanis led the non-Brahmin Satyashodhak movement. He also did a lot of work in the field of education. Many hostels were built. The educational movement was intensified through fee waiver, tuition fees, compulsory education, establishment of Rajaram College. He tried to build his institution wholeheartedly. Today the prosperity of Kolhapur district and its surrounding areas is due to the foresight of Shahunraj. He also worked extensively outside the organization. Helped many. Created creative works.
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj: Revitalizing Maharashtra Through Progressive Policies
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj did all-round development work from Radhanagari Dam to tea garden and from small scale industry to the tea stall of a Dalit person. He also played a major role in the movement to end untouchability. ‘Rajarshi Shahu: Vasa and Heritage’ is the company. A booklet written by Govind Pansare was published by Samajwadi Prabodhini of Ichalkaranji in December 1997. In his conclusion, Com. Pansare writes, ‘The social equality for which Shahu Maharaj fought has not yet been established. We should continue the struggle for social equality with new enthusiasm and new thinking. Care should be taken that thoughts should not be left behind in the noise of cheering, thoughts should not be suppressed while worshiping the images. The image should be worshiped but should not stop there. Maharaj’s thoughts should be understood, but one should not stop there, but should act on the basis of those thoughts. It should be remembered that Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj was an active king.
A statue of such a lofty personality and kind-hearted but hill king has been installed in the premises of the Indian Parliament in Dimakha on 17 February 2009. The installation of the statue of this king in the center of the temple of democracy makes it clear that the kingship of his subjects is clear. He died at the age of 48. Hearty congratulations on the 150th birth anniversary of such a people’s king whose words and actions should be written in golden letters in the history books.
