VARANASI: Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rjiju said that the freedom is achieved with struggles and sacrifices of everyone and not just of a few.
Speaking at a day-long seminar on the ‘Contribution of Tribal Heroes in the Freedom Struggle’ at Banaras Hindu University on Thursday, the law minister said that for long only a select were highlighted and glorified for being a part of the freedom struggle while many great leaders and heroes were ignored and forgotten. There was hardly any mention of tribal leaders and icons who fought long battles to set the country free. He called for narrating these tales of real Indian heroes to present and upcoming generations.
“The freedom we enjoy today isn’t because of only a handful of people, but also because of numerous tribals who fought the oppressors in villages, forests and remote areas,” said Rijiju, adding that a series of programmes are being organized in the universities all over the country to shed light on the contribution of tribal heroes in the India’s struggle for freedom. There couldn’t be a better place than the Banaras Hindu University to host this event as BHU has students from all parts of the country.
“We keep hearing that tribals must be brought to the mainstream,” he said, adding this idea was propagated because some people who were privileged looked down at others, especially those who lived differently. This is not the right approach, said the minister. He said that things have seen a great transformation in the past couple of years. Sense of pride in being Indian has grown stronger and people from underprivileged and downtrodden segments feel empowered. Expressing his gratitude towards BHU for hosting the programme, the law minister exhorted students of BHU to be proud of being a part of the institution which has made unparalleled contribution.
Delivering the keynote address, Laxman Singh Makram, deputy secretary, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, discussed the contribution of various tribal heroes like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi and Ram Ji Gond. He said that the tribal community which made unequalled a sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle cannot be forgotten. Makram said the tribal community was subjected to brutalities and extreme oppression during British rule just for being protective of their culture and legacy. Yet, they fought bravely.
Former secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice and representative of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, PK Malhotra called upon teachers to make students aware of the glorious contribution of tribal heroes in the Indian Independence struggle. He said that there are numerous unsung heroes who most of us were never told about. The series of seminars by the commission is an effort to popularize the tales of these icons so that people get to know about the rich and glorious legacy they have as Indians. He also appealed to the students coming from ST category to take benefit of various schemes and initiatives for them.
The programme was presided over by the BHU VC Prof. Sudhir K Jain. He said that diversity encourages creativity and BHU offers such an atmosphere where students from diverse backgrounds get education in diverse disciplines.
An exhibition of tribal heroes of the Independence struggle was also organized at Swatantrata Bhavan.
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