VP Dhankhar Marks Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th Birth Anniversary In Agra, Links Legacy to UP’s Present Governance

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar commemorated the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar in Agra, framing the Maratha queen's legacy within contemporary political narratives. The event, attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister SP Singh Baghel, highlighted Holkar's temple restoration work while drawing parallels to current Uttar Pradesh initiatives.  

Dhankhar's address emphasized three key themes: Holkar's historical temple reconstructions including Kashi Vishwanath, the Indian Army's counter-terrorism operations, and Uttar Pradesh's development trajectory.

Notably, he projected future historical remembrance of Adityanath's governance alongside Holkar's legacy, particularly citing infrastructure projects in Kashi and Ayodhya.  

The Vice President's remarks on national security referenced the April 22 Pahalgam attack and subsequent military response, indirectly crediting UP's defense manufacturing sector. His assertion that "terrorism will be eliminated" followed praise for BrahMos missile strikes, though without acknowledging ongoing security challenges in the region.  

While the ceremony celebrated women's empowerment through Holkar's historical example, the event's political undertones surfaced through repeated connections drawn between eighteenth-century governance and current state administration. The Vice President's characterization of UP as "Uttam Pradesh" contrasted with recent opposition critiques of uneven development and communal tensions.  

The program concluded with Dhankhar urging public service commitments, though the event's predominant focus remained on linking historical figures to contemporary political narratives rather than substantive policy discussions about heritage conservation or gender equity.