Samajwadi Party Seeks Holiday for Maharana Pratap Jayanti: Political Significance and Historical Reverence

On Friday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called for the Uttar Pradesh government to declare a two-day public holiday to commemorate Maharana Pratap Jayanti. Yadav promised that the Samajwadi Party would construct a statue of the storied Rajput ruler holding a golden sword, accompanied by other notable figures, in a planned public park at the riverfront should it ascend to power.

Yadav stated, "We demand a two-day holiday for Maharana Pratap Jayanti, facilitating preparations on one day and celebration on the next. Our plans for the riverfront include statues of renowned figures, with a standout tribute to Maharana Pratap encompassing a golden sword." Maharana Pratap, born on May 9, 1540, is acclaimed for his resistance against Akbar in the 1576 battle of Haldighati.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath honored Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary with a tribute on social media platform X. Adityanath praised Maharana as a "Hindu Sun" and celebrated his sacrifices for country and religion. He criticized past Congress narratives for sidelining Maharana's legacy while aggrandizing Akbar.

(With inputs from agencies.)