Vice President Dhankhar Calls for Recognition of Unsung Heroes on Raja Mahendra Pratap’s 138th Birth Anniversary

New Delhi, Dec 02: Addressing the 138th birth anniversary celebration of Raja Mahendra Pratap at Bharat Mandapam on Sunday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted the neglect of India’s unsung heroes in historical narratives. He stressed the need for unvarnished accounts of history to honor individuals like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, who significantly contributed to India’s independence.

“Our history books have done injustice to our heroes. Our history has been manipulated and doctored, creating a monopoly of a few who claimed they gained us independence. This is an unbearable pain on our conscience,” Dhankhar remarked. He described Raja Mahendra Pratap as a visionary diplomat, statesman, and nationalist, praising his patriotism and farsightedness.

Dhankhar expressed dismay over the lack of recognition for figures like Raja Mahendra Pratap, stating, “We are in the 75th year of our independence, yet we have failed, miserably failed, to recognize the heroic feats of this great man. The foundations of our independence were built on the supreme sacrifices of people like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh.”

He also recalled Raja Mahendra Pratap’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1932 for his role in supporting Gandhi’s campaign in South Africa, underscoring his global influence.

The Vice President emphasized the importance of acknowledging historical events like the Mangar Hill massacre of 1913, where over 1,500 tribal people were killed by British forces, which predates the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He also highlighted the need to recognize contributions from leaders like Birsa Munda, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Karpoori Thakur.

On the contributions of farmers, Dhankhar noted their vital role in India’s development. He urged a resolution of farmers’ issues through dialogue, stating, “The path to a developed Bharat is through the farmland. The resolution of farmers’ issues should happen swiftly. If the farmer is troubled, the honor and pride of the nation are severely affected.”

The Vice President also reflected on Raja Mahendra Pratap’s advocacy for honoring freedom fighters, recounting his proposal in the Lok Sabha to recognize Veer Savarkar, Virendra Kumar Ghose, and Dr. Bhupendranath Datta. He called for collective efforts to ensure the due recognition of such figures, adding, “We are not helpless. Let us get together and ensure this great son of Mother Bharat is given the due recognition he deserves.”

Dhankhar concluded by reiterating his commitment to resolving farmers’ challenges and honoring India’s forgotten heroes, describing these actions as essential for building a developed and united nation.