Shivaji And Marathi Get Pride Of Place At JNU With Two New Research Centres
Fadnavis Inaugurates Strategic Defence And Marathi Language Centres, Calls For Honour To All Indian Languages
New Delhi, July 24 – In a landmark academic and cultural move, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated two new centres at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU): the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Centre for Strategic and Defence Studies and the Kusumagraj Centre for Marathi Language, Literature and Culture. Speaking at the event, Fadnavis emphasized the need to uphold the pride of one’s mother tongue while equally respecting all Indian languages.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the JNU Convention Centre in the presence of Marathi Language Minister Dr. Uday Samant, JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Chhatrapati Babajiraje Bhosale of the Thanjavur royal family, and other dignitaries.
Fadnavis expressed satisfaction that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s strategic foresight and military tactics would now be studied in a prestigious institution like JNU. Referring to UNESCO’s recognition of 12 forts associated with Shivaji as part of the “Maratha Military Landscape”, he said, “Shivaji Maharaj built impregnable forts across the Western Ghats and coastline, pre-empting foreign threats and laying the foundation for a united Maratha empire.”
He also highlighted that Shivaji’s victories continue to be celebrated globally for their strategic brilliance and that his legacy sowed the seeds of Swarajya (self-rule) and a fighting spirit among Marathi people.
In a symbolic gesture, Fadnavis announced the erection of an equestrian statue of Shivaji Maharaj on the JNU campus, calling it a national inspiration for sacrifice and public service.
Dr. Uday Samant described the Marathi Centre as a “historic milestone” and unveiled plans to create ‘Marathi Book Villages’ in Kashmir and promote Marathi associations abroad. He also extended an invitation to the World Marathi Conference in Nashik and vowed to increase student admissions to JNU from Maharashtra.
JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. Pandit underscored the literary richness of Marathi through its plays, poetry, and philosophy, and announced the upcoming ‘Sindhudurg Dialogue’, a national-level conference, in addition to reaffirming JNU’s commitment to equity, excellence, and innovation. Under the National Education Policy 2020, the university aims to support academic initiatives in 50 Indian languages.
The function was attended by Members of Parliament Smita Wagh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Medha Kulkarni, Hemant Savara, Anil Bonde, Ajit Gopchhade, former MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, government officials, faculty, and a large number of Marathi language enthusiasts.