Flame of freedom was kept burning brightly by our saints, Mahants and Acharyas: PM

New Delhi, 12 March (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday paid tribute to all the freedom fighters, movements, uprising and struggle of the freedom movement. He specially paid homage to the movements, struggles and personalities who have not been duly recognized in the saga of the glorious freedom struggle of India.

While speaking after the launch of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (India@75) at Sabarmati Ashram, PM Modi lauded the contribution of lesser known movements and struggles. He said that each and every struggle and fight was India’s strong declaration of  truth against the forces of falsehood, a testimony to India’s independent temperament.

Modi said, these struggles represented the same consciousness and valour which was evident from the days of Ram, Kurukshetra of Mahabharat, Haldighati and roar of Veer Shivaji.

The Prime Minister noted Kol, Khasi, Santhal, Naga, Bhil, Munda, Sanyasi, Ramoshi, Kittur movement, Travancore movement, Bardoli Satyagrah, Champaran Satyagrah, Sambhalpur, Chuar, Bundel and Kuka uprisings and movements.

PM Modi said that many such struggles kept the flame of freedom burning bright in every period and region of the country. The Sikh Guru tradition energized the country for protection of the culture and traditions, he added.

Modi emphasized that we should always remember that the work of keeping the flame of freedom burning was relentlessly done by our saints, Mahants and Acharyas in every part of the country. That created the bedrock of the nation-wide freedom struggle.

The Prime Minister said, in the East, saints like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Shrimant Sankara Dev gave direction to the society and kept them focused on the goal.  In the West, Meerabai, Eknath, Tukaram, Ramdas and Narsi Mehta, In North Sant Ramanand, Kabirdas, Goswami Tulsidas, Soordas, Guru Nanak Dev, Sant Raidas took up the mantle. Similarly, South had Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, Vallabhacharya and Ramanujacharya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during the Bhakti Period, personalities like Malik Mohammad Jayasi, Ras khan, Soordas, Keshavdas and Vidyapati inspired the society for reforming its defects. These personalities were responsible for the pan-India nature of the freedom Movement.

The Prime Minister stressed upon the need to take the biographies of these heroes and heroines to the people. These inspiring stories will teach valuable lessons to our new generations about, unity and will to achieve goals.

The Prime Minister remarked that the tribal society of our country, with its valor and bravery continuously worked to bring foreign rule to its knees. In Jharkhand, Birsa Munda challenged the British and the Murmu brothers led the Santhal movement. In Odisha, Chakra Bisoi waged a fight against the British and Laxman Nayak spread awareness through Gandhian methods.

He listed other unsung tribal heroes who fought against the British like Manyam Virudu Alluri Siraram Raju in Andhra Pradesh who led the Rampa movement and Pasaltha Khungchera who took on the British in the hills of Mizoram. He noted other freedom fighters from Assam and Northeast like Gomdhar Konwar, Lachit Borphukan and Serat Sing who have contributed to the independence of the country. He said the country will always remember the sacrifice of Nayak tribals in Jambughoda in Gujarat and the massacre of hundreds of tribals in Mangadh.