Karnataka celebrates Shivaji Maharaj’s valour

People across Karnataka paid tributes to the great Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj remembering the great spirit and valour he possessed. Unlike last year, when the day was celebrated by some small groups to gate political mileage in the border districts of North Karnataka, the state government organised the celebration on a grand scale.

Chief minister, Sadananda Gowda, apart from attending Shivaji Jayanti celebrations in the state capital, attended the celebrations in Belgaum.

“There are over 40 lakh Marathi speaking people in Karnataka. All of them are Kannadigas, we have to sideline and isolate those who raise the political motives behind separating Marathi and Kannadiga people. My government has laid the path for developing Maratha organisation by outlaying Rs1.50 crore. The government had also allocated Rs2 crore for developing a walk in museum dedicated to Shivaji in Shivaji Park in Belgaum,” the chief minister said.

Disclosing the motive behind organising the celebrations, deputy speaker in the assembly, N Yogish Bhat in Mangalore said: “The government wanted the state to see Shivaji for his qualities of nationalism and bravery, he was the spirit of freedom and the iconic leader that took us away from oppression, tyranny and alienation I just hope that even the central government will organise at least one programme at national level.”