Devendra Fadnavis: Battle of Panipat is symbol of Marathas' bravery, not defeat

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis /File Pic

During the state assembly at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai held on Tuesday a debate on the 'Last Week Motion' ignited between the opposition and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

CM Fadnavis said the state government is building a 'Shiv Smarak' (memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) in Agra.

Land is also being acquired for building a memorial in Panipat (Haryana), where the third battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and (Afghan ruler) Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761, he said.

Opposition NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad added to the debate by questioning why a memorial is being built in Panipat where Abdali defeated the Marathas.

"Panipat is not a symbol of our bravery or our defeat. It will remind me of defeat. It was between Ahmad Shah Abdali and (Maratha general) Sadashivrao Bhau. There is no memorial of defeat in the world," Awhad stated.

As per the CM, the historic battel of Panipat reflected Marathas' bravery.

Fadnavis while explaining the battle in the assembly stated that the emperor in Delhi was paying chauth (a form of tribute) to the Marathas. When Abdali conquered Delhi, he wrote to the Marathas, urging them to come and save the city, Fadnavis stated.

The CM also mentioned that the Marathas went to Delhi, defeated Abdali. The Afghan ruler then fled and camped across the Yamuna river.

Abdali then wrote a letter to Marathas requesting a truce that Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan should be considered his territory and rest of the country will be of Marathas, the CM added.

Fadnavis further stated, "The Marathas were not linked to (the conflict) but asserted that they will not cede an inch to Abdali. The Marathas fought for the country so that the three regions remain part of India," reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)

Kunal Kamra row: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says his deputy Eknath Shinde has been 'insulted'

"Kunal Kamra must issue an apology. His actions were an attempt to insult Eknath Shinde, and such behaviour cannot be tolerated. The people of Maharashtra have already made their decision on who is loyal and who is a traitor in the Assembly elections," the Maharashtra CM said on Monday

Reacting to the ongoing Kunal Kamra controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his deputy Eknath Shinde has been insulted and that the comedian must apologise.

"Kunal Kamra must issue an apology. His actions were an attempt to insult Eknath Shinde, and such behaviour cannot be tolerated. The people of Maharashtra have already made their decision on who is loyal and who is a traitor in the Assembly elections. Kamra has every right to pursue comedy and make jabs, but this was a deliberate insult towards a respected leader, and that will not be tolerated. Kamra may share photos of himself holding a pocket version of the Constitution, much like Rahul Gandhi, but he must understand that freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to insult others. Freedom of speech should always be used responsibly and in the right context," said Fadnavis, while speaking to reporters on Monday.