CM Yogi Pays Tribute to Kakori Martyrs, Calls for Unity to Realize 'Viksit Bharat'

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the 101st anniversary of the historic Kakori Train Action at the Kakori Martyr Memorial, paying rich tributes to the heroes of India's freedom struggle. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, the Chief Minister honored the families of freedom fighters and martyrs, paid floral tributes at the memorial, launched a commemorative booklet on Vande Mataram and the martyrs of Kakori, and planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam' initiative.

Reflecting on the historical significance of August 9, 1925, CM Yogi emphasized that brave revolutionaries like Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Rajendra Prasad Lahiri boldly challenged British rule by seizing government funds stolen from Indians. He recalled the immense sacrifices of these iconic figures, highlighting that leaders like Sachindra Nath Bakshi and Manmath Nath Gupta faced life imprisonment, while Bismil, Roshan Singh, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Lahiri were executed across Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Faizabad, and Gonda.

The Chief Minister strongly criticized post-independence governments for dishonoring these sacrifices by referring to the event as a "dacoity" (robbery). He asserted that those who held power after independence committed a grave injustice against India's youth by marginalizing freedom fighters, omitting them from academic curricula, and neglecting memorials for legendary figures such as Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Veer Savarkar, Rani Lakshmibai, and Udadevi Pasi.

In contrast, CM Yogi commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for restoring honor to national heroes. He noted that key initiatives have been launched to preserve memories connected to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Panchteerth, Veer Savarkar, and the Kakori heroes. The official renaming of the event to 'Kakori Train Action' and the release of commemorative postage stamps reflect this renewed respect.

Warning against modern threats, the Chief Minister stated that internal divisions and conspiracies historically led to India's subjugation. He cautioned that anti-national elements are currently attempting to divide society using caste, region, and language while misusing social media platforms. He appealed to citizens to collect historical material related to local unsung heroes, restore monuments, and embody a "Nation First" mindset to realize the vision of a developed and self-reliant India (Viksit Bharat). He also encouraged widespread participation in the upcoming Independence Day celebrations by hoisting the national flag at every home and singing Vande Mataram across institutions.

Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, alongside Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, also addressed the gathering. They urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from the supreme sacrifices of the revolutionaries and uphold national unity. The event featured an exhibition on the Kakori Train Action, a theatrical performance by artists from the Bhartendu Natya Academy, and presence from numerous public representatives, students, and citizens.