We told many Hindu temples for years to install statues of Hindu warriors like Shivaji and other great warriors, along with Hindu female warriors, to give Hindus, especially the younger generation, the psychological edge to be confident in their identity knowing that out of all the indigenous people who ended up converted and enslaved or ended up in the museum, that the Hindus survived because of our warrior resistance rooted in Hinduism. But these temple leaders would tell us no, peaceful Gandhi should be our inspiration, basically to turn Hindus into total wimps. Well, we have seen over the years attacks on temples, especially on Gandhi statues, as karma always sends a message.
Israel is installing a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the reason goes back 2000 years. The Bene Israel, one of India’s oldest Jewish communities, served in Shivaji Maharaj’s army and navy along the Konkan coast, fought in the Maratha Empire, and later distinguished themselves in the British Indian Army. Associate Editor Radhika Dhawad tells the full, rarely heard story of the Jewish community in Maharashtra, their service under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, their migration to Israel, and why this statue announcement is one of the most meaningful moments in India-Israel relations. A story of shared history, courage, and belonging!
