AIMIM MP opposes Maharana Pratap’s statue, says military school would be better tribute

AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel has opposed a planned statue of Maharana Pratap in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city, saying the money should be rather spent on a military school in the Rajput king’s name. The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation has decided to erect a statue of Rana Pratap in Cannought area here.

Jaleel, local MP and state All India Majalis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen president, said in a letter to district guardian minister Subhash Desai that Maharana Pratap’s name is immortal in history due to his valor. But nothing would be gained by erecting his statue by spending Rs 90 lakh, and the real tribute would be to set up a ‘sainik school’ in his name where the youth from rural areas can avail of military training, he said. Local Shiv Sena leader and Member of Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, however, criticized Jaleel for his stand.

Maharana Pratap is a “pride of Hindutva”, he tweeted, adding that the AIMIM MP “may not get inspiration for good work from statues, but we get that.” Danve also said that Jaleel should get a sainik school built through a Central government scheme and also ensure that the Kendriya Vidyalaya in the district is expanded.