On Idea of 'Akhand Bharat': Ch. Birender Singh visits Faridabad

Partition, Progress and Men of Mettle: Anniversary of Sir Chhotu Ram

November 22, Faridabad. 

The Hon'ble Union Minister Ch Birender Singh,  was here to attend a seminar on partition of India organized by Rashtriya Chetna Shakti to celebrate the anniversary of the peasant leader and secular icon from pre-partition undivided Punjab Sir Chhotu Ram. Floral tribute was paid to the farmer doyen by the distinguished gathering. 

The event that had Prof. Rahuvendra Tawar, Professor-Emerius from KU, eminent historian and Chairman of Haryana History and Culture Academy as the keynote speaker was held this afternoon at Modern DPS, Greater Faridabad. 

The seminar was convened by Sh Sukhbeer Singh Malik, IAS(retd.) President of RCF.Speaking on the occasion. Professor Tawar pointed out that in pre-partition India people were not divided along communal lines but voted for trans-communal alliance with Sir ChhotuRam as its popular face. 

Prof Tawar quoted Shyama Prasad Mukherjee as underlining the fact that Sir ChhotuRam was the only leader who could effectively and proactively counteract the two-nation theory propounded by CRajgopalachari. It was pointed out that ChhotuRam had as far back as in 1941 presaged against dangers of stoking fire of communal hatred. 

Sir Chhotu Ram was a force to reckon with in Punjab and the British Governor-Generals, powerful that they were, all looked at ChhotuRam as true representative of aspirations and strength of the people of Punjab. His popularity surpassed that of Nehru and mainstream history drops him out as an inconvenient truth.

He emphasized that the current government was trying to excavate the relegated or marginalized histories and bring them into perspective. For ChhotuRam the premise was not communal but economic- it was class and not religion that divided people in routine interactions.

He referred to Sir ChhotuRam's letter to Gandhi ji as a masterpiece from history, a volatile document shedding light on the politics of the day and concerned warning for future- an attempt to forewarn and forearm against an impending tragedy. RCF President affirmed that Chhotu Ram had a personality and following that could thwart the tragedy but his untimely demise deprived the prospective nation of a the real leading light.

Ch Birender Singh, Minister of Steel 

erstwhile Minister of Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Water and Sanitation

Hon'ble Union Minister of Steel told about an incident about nine years back.Hockey team from Pakistan visited India. After having lost the match, a player telephoned Ch Birender Singh, then the Finance Minister of Haryana and expressed his wish to visit Garhi. " My 75 years old grandfather has asked me to visit Garhi, slaute the soil where Chhotu ram was born, " said the Pak player. My brother and I were told by our grand-dad that the peasant of Punjab on either side of the border had prospered due to this great man.

Though he asserted that war hindered youth and progress, he applauded the gallant soldiers of the region for leading Indian defence and guarding our borders. The fact that the past, current and future generals of Army are from this part of country, underlines the kind of spadework done by leaders of Punjab(that includes Haryana and Pakistan Punjab).

Speaking on the occasion Birender Singh said that he found the idea of 'Akhand Bharat ' a chimera. "We are the 'elder brother', not 'Big brother' who intimidates.  I am wary of those who say, Unko Maza chakha Do!(teach them a lesson). War is a trap, it demands cannon-fodder, we should avoid it as it penalizes both the aggressor and the target. For progress, let us adopt an alternative approach that will avoid jingoism without ignoring the fact that Pakistan 's government is controlled by 'military Mafia'. There is a solution , other than 'appeasement' and 'aggression'- the antidote can be retrieved from history in the friendship of Muslim Premieres of Undivided Punjab and ChhotuRam".

Mr Verma, Principal Modern DPS emphasized how Sir Chhotu Ram liberated the peasant from debt circle,and auctioning of property. Secretary DPS Society felicitated the Minister.