Making a fervent case for correcting the unfair approach to India’s independence movement and the leaders and people who led it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday  said he sincerely hoped that these mistakes will be corrected. He was speaking on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of Maharaja Suheldev Memorial and development work of Chittaura Lake at Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh through video conference.

The PM stressed that it had become all the more important to remember the contribution of the historical heroes and heroines who made immense contribution to the country as the nation entered the 75th year of Independence. He went on to lament the fact that the people who sacrificed their all for India and Indianness have not been given their due in history books. “These irregularities and injustice against the makers of Indian history by the writers of Indian history are now being corrected as we are entering the 75th year of our Independence. Remembering their contribution becomes all the more important at this juncture,” he observed.

Modi emphasized that Indian history is not only the history written by colonial powers or those with a colonial mindset. “Indian History is what has been nurtured by the common people in their folklore and taken forward by the generations,” he averred.

Citing examples in his speech, the PM wondered whether the first Prime Minister of Azad Hind Government, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has been given the place that he deserves. “We have recognized Neta Ji by strengthening his identity from Red fort to Andaman Nicobar,” he said.

Likewise, he went on to point out the treatment meted out to the unifier of more than 500 princely states, Sardar Patel.  “Today, Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue is of Sardar Patel,” he said.

The PM also talked about the key architect of the Constitution and voice of the exploited, deprived and downtrodden, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who he said was always looked through a political prism. He said, today, all places associated with Dr Ambedkar from India to England are being developed as PanchTeerth. “There are innumerable personalities who were not recognized due to various reasons. Can we forget what happened with the bravehearts of Chauri Chaura?” asked the PM.

The Prime Minister said that Maharaja Suheldev’s contribution to protect Indianness was similarly ignored. He said Suheldev has been kept alive in the hearts of people by the folklore of Awadh, Tarai and Poorvanchal despite being ignored by the textbooks. Describing him as a sensitive and development oriented ruler, he recalled his contribution.

Farmers’ protests

Touching upon the ongoing farmers’ protest, the PM said that all types of misinformation was being spread against the agriculture laws. He said that those who enacted laws to call foreign companies in the country are scaring farmers with Indian companies. These lies and propaganda stand exposed. “After the enactment of new laws, paddy procurement was doubled in Uttar Pradesh as compared to last year. Yogi Government has already released Rs 1 lakh crore to the sugarcane farmers. The Centre has also given thousands of crores of rupees to the State Governments to enable sugar mills to pay the farmers,” he said.

The project will include installation of Maharaja Suheldev astride a horse, development of various tourist amenities like cafeteria, guest house and a children’s park. With the memorial site, the country will be able to get better acquainted with the heroic saga of Suheldev. It will go on to enhance the tourist potential of the place, thereby generate employment.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the medical College building named after Maharaja Suheldev.  It may be recalled that Modi had released a stamp commemorating Maharaja Suheldev two years ago.

The Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present on the occasion.