Lucknow, November 16: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday unveiled the statue of brave woman Uda Devi Pasi in Vrindavan Yojana.
On this occasion, Rajnath Singh said that Dalit, tribal brave women and countless heroes from backward communities did not get their due place in the pages of history. These heroes should not only be taught but also worshipped. Maharaja Bijli Pasi, Maharaja Satan Pasi, Maharaja Lakhan Pasi, Maharaja Suheldev, Maharaja Chheta Pasi and Maharaja Daldev, Raja Ganga Bakhsh Rawat, Jhalkaribai, Avantibai and Mahaveerji Devi, these are names that deserve to be inscribed in golden letters.
He stated that historians have not researched the history of this heroic community. Previous governments never attempted to gather information about the Pasi Empire.
Rajnath Singh stated that leftist historians have written history as per their convenience, neglecting the bravery and sacrifices of Dalit and backward community leaders. Previous governments also did not give due place to the heroes of the Pasi and Dalit communities. It is our responsibility to bring this forgotten history to the fore so that the contributions of communities like the Pasi community are revived in the national consciousness, because the true strength of a nation is fully revealed only when every class, every community, and every sacrifice is given its due place.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh stated that when our NDA government was formed in 2000, we paid tribute to Raja Bijli Pasi by issuing a postage stamp in his memory.
He added that our Uttar Pradesh government has decided to include the heroes and heroines of the Pasi community in the curriculum. Our government has also worked to highlight these unsung heroes whose contributions shaped the freedom struggle. It is our duty to remember and honor their sacrifice and struggle.
Defense Minister stated that a grand memorial for Maharaja Suheldev has been built in Bahraich. A similar monument to Maharaja Bijli Pasi is being constructed in Lucknow. This decision cannot be praised enough, as it will enable future generations to learn more about these heroes. Historians who exaggerate Mughal history have not honored these names. Those who strengthened the freedom movement with their valor, sacrifice, and struggle have not been given their due place in history, even though they were equally participants and heroes of this great journey.
Rajnath Singh said, “Who can forget Madari Pasi’s contribution to the freedom movement? Madari Pasi blew the trumpet of rebellion against injustice. When farmers were imposed excessive taxes, Madari Pasi emerged as the ‘messiah of farmers.’ I also pay my tribute to Madari Pasi. The Pasi community made significant contributions during the freedom movement. Whether it was the first war of independence in 1857 or the Awadh Kisan Sabha movement, the Pasi community has always sacrificed everything for the motherland.”
Prominently present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Social Welfare Minister Aseem Arun, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharwal, Scheduled Caste Commission Chairman Baijnath Rawat, former Barabanki MP Priyanka Rawat, former Union Minister Kaushal Kishore, MLC Ramachandra Pradhan, MLC Mukesh Sharma, and Metropolitan BJP President Anand Dwivedi.