JAIPUR/MANGARH, Nov 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Rajasthan and the Governments of neighbouring states for a roadmap to develop Mangarh Dham, a memorial to a tribal uprising against the British, an event that he said has not been given its place in history.
“Over 1,500 tribals were killed in firing by the British on November 17, 1913, but unfortunately, in the history written post-Independence, this was not given its due place. Now, the country is correcting the mistake committed decades ago,” he said, addressing a gathering, comprising tribals, among others, at the memorial.
While the event was on, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) tweeted that the Prime Minister has declared the dham a national monument. Later in the day, the tweet was removed.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who shared the dais with Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, had been demanding this status for the dham.
Remembering Govind Guru, who had led the 1913 uprising, Modi said Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra together under the leadership of the Centre can develop the dham more so that the tribal leader’s place can get a global identity.
The event is being seen as the BJP’s outreach to the tribal community ahead of the assembly polls in Gujarat in the next few weeks and in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh next year.
During the freedom struggle, Bhils and members of other tribes engaged in a long stand-off with the British, with over 1.5 lakh tribals rallying to the Mangarh Hill on November 17, 1913, under the leadership of Govind Guru, according to an official release.
The British opened fire at this gathering, leading to the Mangarh massacre, it said.
Modi’s visit is likely to leave an impact on assembly constituencies in northern parts of Gujarat where assembly elections are going to be held.
In Rajasthan, eight districts — Banswara, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Pratapgarh and Pali — fall under the scheduled area that has a total of 37 assembly constituencies, of which 21 are held by the BJP, 11 by the Congress, two by the Bhartiya Tribal Party and three by Independents.
Highlighting the contribution of tribals to the freedom struggle, the prime minister said that the Centre is working with a clear policy for the development of tribals across the country, from Rajasthan and Gujarat to the Northeast. Water, electricity and health, among other facilities, are being provided and they are being linked to employment opportunities while forest wealth is also being protected, Modi said.
Tribals had started the freedom struggle even before the revolt of 1857, he said, adding that the community has a rich history of sacrifice in the freedom movement.
Sharing the dais with the chief ministers, Modi also said that a discussion about the comprehensive development of Mangarh Dham has been held here.
He said that “all of us have a strong desire for the magnificent expansion of Mangarh Dham and for this, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra need to work together”.
“It is my request to all the four state governments to hold a detailed discussion in this direction, prepare a roadmap so that Govind Guru’s place too can create its identity in the whole world,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Gehlot said he was happy that recently the prime minister spoke to the chief secretaries of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh about the dham. (PTI)
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