“Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was among the most progressive rulers of the world. He introduced bold interventions and welfare schemes that were far ahead of his time,” Janardhan Waghmare, a former MP, said in Bidar on Sunday.

He was speaking at the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Jayanti organised by the Shiva Chhatrapati Smarak Samiti at the Rangmandira in Bidar.

Shahu Maharaj introduced reservation and affirmative action in terms of free education, scholarships, hostels for girls, promotion of business by lower cast traders, and equality before the law for all. His unstinted support helped Dr. Ambedkar get education of global standards, he said.

P.G.R. Sindhia, the former Minister, lamented that politics had become a monopoly of the rich.

“The rich spend money in elections and come to power. They make laws and create schemes that benefit the rich. It happens in all parties. There is no exception,” he said. Maruti Rao Mule, former MLA said the lives of Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr. Ambedkar had inspired millions.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bidar – June 29th, 2015