Chanakya's views on dynastic politics still valid: Amit Shah

Pune: BJP president Amit Shah today invoked ancient philosopher Chanakya to denounce “dynasty” politics. Delivering the 12th Rambhau Mhalgi memorial lecture, organised by Rambhau Mhalagi Prabodhini (RMP) here, Shah said, “Chankaya had denounced politics of dynasty nearly 2,300 years ago and his philosophy is still relevant in the current context”.

Speaking on ‘Arya Chanakya’s life and his work in today’s context’ at RMP, an institute closely associated with the RSS, Shah said the writings of Chanakya on various topics such as economics, politics, foreign affairs, security, education, social science are still valid in the contemporary context.

“As far as his (Chanakya’s) thoughts about the rulers are concerned, he had opposed the idea of dynasty for running the kingdom. He said it was not necessary that one who is senior but not capable should be given the reins of a kingdom. The most capable, even if he is younger, should run the kingdom,” said Shah quoting Chanakya.

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, was also a jurist and royal advisor who had authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the ‘Arthashastra’. He is considered the pioneer of the field of political science and economics in India. Shah said, “(According to Chanakya) if a ruler has only son but he is not capable of ruling the kingdom, the ministry of the kingdom should select the capable one”.

Shah, however, clarified that he was not making any comment against anybody in particular. “Chanakya has already written that the king is the principal servant of the Constitution and our prime minister too said he was the pradhan sevak. “Chanakya had written that the ruler should aim that the last man should be included in the process of development. Our PM’s slogan ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ is on the similar line,” the BJP chief said.

Shah rued that Chanakya’s works were not given due importance in today’s educational curriculum. He urged the RMP to translate the manuscripts which are in Pandu lipi (script) into Indian languages. Earlier in the day, Shah visited the palanquin of Saint Dnyaneshwar.

Later, he called on noted historian Babasaheb Purandare as a part of the BJP’s outreach campaign “Sampark for Samarthan”.