Prayagraj, 15 Oct (HS): Yogi Adityanath clearly

stated that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wasn't the sole leader imprisoned for India's independence, while also recognizing the significant

contributions and imprisonment of

freedom fighter Masuriyadeen Pasi. At a statue unveiling event in Prayagraj, the Chief Minister highlighted

how history frequently neglects local leaders who devoted themselves to significant

sacrifices.

Chief Minister Yogi

was addressing a public gathering after unveiling the statue of freedom

fighter, Constituent Assembly member and former MP Mahashay Masuriyadeen Pasi

at Teliyarganj Square on Thursday. He said that he was 66-67 years old, of

which he spent nine years (between 1932 and 1944) in jail during the freedom

movement. He remained engaged in public awareness even after his release. He

said that respect for great men is not the inheritance of any family. Those who

dedicated their lives for the country and society should be respected.

The Chief Minister announced that the intersection at the

statue site would be named after Mahashay Masuriyadeen Pasi. He asked the Mayor

to prepare a proposal for this. He also called for naming a prominent

institution in Prayagraj after him and installing a grand statue of him there.

He said that honoring great men is the foundation of a

bright future for society. By honoring the past, the present can be improved,

and if the present is better, the future will also be bright. Honoring Masuriyadeen

Pasi is honoring freedom fighters. No compromise will be allowed in this

regard. He said that Masuriyadeen Pasi, born on October 2, 1911, was forgotten

by the cycle of history, but the BJP government, which believes in development

and heritage, does not forget great men. The statue has been unveiled with the

aim of keeping his memories alive.

Masuriyadeen Pasi had reached Parliament with Pandit Nehru: The

Chief Minister said that Masuriyadeen Pasi became a member of the Uttar Pradesh

Legislative Assembly in 1946. In independent India, he was elected to the Lok

Sabha four times, from 1952 to 1972. In 1952, when two MPs were elected from

one constituency, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Masuriyadeen Pasi reached

Parliament together.

He said that the British enacted the Criminal Occupation Act

in 1871, following the First War of Independence in 1857. This law humiliated

many castes, including the Pasi. Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Mahashay

Masuriyadeen Pasi spoke out against this law. Ultimately, the fight to repeal

this law played a crucial role in moving the Pasi, Sonkar, disadvantaged, and

Dalit communities toward a respectable life.

Referring to the historical contributions of the Pasi

community, the Chief Minister said that Maharaja Bijli Pasi built 12 forts in

Lucknow and surrounding areas in the 12th century. These were intended to

strengthen the fortification strategy against foreign invaders. He also

recalled the sacrifices of the brave Makka Pasi and his wife, the brave woman

Uda Devi. The Chief Minister said that after the martyrdom of the brave Makka

Pasi in the freedom struggle, Uda Devi took charge and fought the British

bravely. Ultimately, she too sacrificed her life for the country.

PAC battalion to be named after Uda Devi: Chief Minister

Yogi said that the state government has renovated Maharaja Bijli Pasi's fort in

Lucknow. A PAC battalion is being formed in the name of the brave woman Uda

Devi. Her equestrian statue is also being installed there. He said that great

men who raised the voice of the Dalits and the deprived and dedicated their

lives to the country and society should receive due respect. Respect for great

men is not the monopoly of any one family, but rather the right of the entire

society.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Cabinet Minister

Swatantra Dev Singh, Nandgopal Gupta Nandi, Mayor Umesh Chandra Ganesh

Kesarwani, Phulpur MP Praveen Patel, MLAs Harsh Vardhan Vajpayee, Piyush Ranjan

Nishad, Vachaspati Pasi, Deepak Patel, Guru Prasad Maurya, Legislative Council

members Lalji Prasad Nirmal and Surendra Chaudhary, along with numerous public

representatives, were present at the event. Also present on the occasion were

Mr. Masuriyadeen Pasi's daughter, Kamala Kumari, and grandson, Sachin Kumar.

“With the double engine government's resolve for good

governance, employment generation, poor welfare and development, Teerthraj

Prayagraj is setting new standards of progress. Today, participated in the

Bhoomi Pujan program for the construction of 602 houses at a cost of Rs. 191

crore under the Padma Lok Awas Yojana on the land freed from the mafia in

Prayagraj district. Also, distributed the keys of the houses to the

beneficiaries of 556 houses constructed in Pipalgaon under the Pradhan Mantri

Awas Yojana (Urban). Hearty congratulations to all the beneficiaries and best

wishes for Sharadiya Navratri and Vijayadashmi,” UP CM mentioned in a post on

X.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi