Taking to social media platform X, a representative of the Wadiyar family expressed disappointment over recent comments dismissing the role of India’s royal families. He stated, “As a proud representative of the people and the custodian of the Wadiyar family, I find it disappointing to hear comments dismissing the contributions of India’s royal families.”
The post emphasized the historic and progressive contributions made by the Wadiyars, including the founding of the University of Mysore in 1916, championing women’s education, abolishing child marriage, and advancing industrial and infrastructure projects like Asia’s first hydroelectric power station at Shivanasamudra.
The representative highlighted that the Wadiyars, along with other royal families such as the Gaekwads of Vadodara and Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, prioritized social reform and development. These efforts, including supporting figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, were noted for their lasting impact on India.
He tagged Rahul Gandhi in the post and urged critics to understand the historical context before making sweeping judgments. “It is easy to cast aspersions without fully understanding the historical context,” he said, adding that royal families often sacrificed personal wealth and power to ensure the welfare of their people.
Wadiyar also called for fair and respectful acknowledgment of the royal families’ contributions, stressing, “It’s important to acknowledge these contributions with respect and not dismiss the role royal families played in building a progressive nation.”
This statement came after Rahul Gandhi, in a recent speech, criticized the privileges of the royalty prior to independence and highlighted the societal changes that came post-independence.
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