‘Shivaji was a secular ruler, fought against atrocities’

Lucknow: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a secular ruler who fought against the atrocities and injustice of the rulers of his time, said speakers at the Social Justice Conclave in Kaiserbagh on Friday. The event was held to mark the birth anniversary of Shivaji, observed as Social Justice Day. In the session, ‘Itihas–Sahitya: Myth aur Jhooth ke Gaddmad Hone ke Daur Mein — Aage Kaise Badhein,' speakers expressed concern over the misinterpretation of history and false narratives pushed among the masses through manipulated content on social media. Social worker Raghavendra Dubey was of the view that presenting Shivaji Maharaj as a fighter for Hindu Rashtra is historically incorrect because he fought against oppression and injustice. Social activist and satirist Rajeev Dhyani pointed out that right-wing groups are using technology to build false narratives claiming Shivaji is a Hindu icon.Social worker Vandana Mishra argued that the fight for social justice and to protect the true legacy of Shivaji Maharaj requires both online and offline efforts. Former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University, Roop Rekha Verma, said, "The struggle for social justice must come to the streets, and we should be ready to take risks to defend inclusive values."