We must not let our differences weaken nation: Yogi

Lucknow: Paying rich tributes to the heroes of the Kakori train action on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that India attained independence in 1947 after years of struggle and innumerable sacrifices. “Today, as we celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, we must not let our differences divide us and weaken the country, rather we should collectively contribute towards a prosperous India,” he said.

Addressing an event organised to commemorate the ‘Kakori train action’ as the country celebrates ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, Yogi Adityanath said, “After the freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, with countless sacrifices, India gained independence. We’re fortunate to be celebrating Amrit Mahotsav and now we must work together to realise PM Modi’s goal of an India we dream of.”

With a population of 135 crore, India was a country which represented the largest democracy in the world, he said. “We must not let our differences on the basis of caste, religion, region and language divide us, as it will only hinder development and weaken the nation,” said Yogi, adding, “We will take U.P.’s economy to $1 trillion in 5 years, ensure ease of living and ease of doing business and work to uplift the youth, women and the farmers so that they become self-reliant and lead their lives with dignity.”

Recalling the martyrdom of the revolutionaries in the Kakori train action, Yogi said that the country definitely reeled under the foreign yoke for some time but the people never accepted it.

On the occasion, amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram,’ the chief minister also honoured freedom fighter Shiv Narayan Gupta and families of martyrs, including the kin of Param Vir Chakra winner Captain Manoj Pandey.

The chief minister also launched ‘Radio Jaighosh’ to mark the Kakori train action anniversary, which will be available at 107.8 MHz and will broadcast from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from the newly renovated studio of the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Lucknow. A special postal cover was also released on the occasion.

As a state, Uttar Pradesh had played an extremely crucial role in the freedom struggle, said Yogi, adding, “Uttar Pradesh is fortunate as it was the land which lit the spark for independence. Be it the extraordinary valour of Mangal Pandey or the unwavering spirit of Rani Laxmibai, Gorakhpur’s Chauri-Chaura incident or the Kakori train action that took place near the state capital, all the events and the freedom heroes belonging to the state gave a new direction to India’s freedom struggle.”

“Our heroes challenged the British Government by looting the British treasury in Kakori in 1925. Ramprasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh, Rajendra Nath Lahiri and Ashfaq Ullah Khan and their sacrifices proved to be a milestone for India’s independence,” added the CM.

“India got its independence as a result of the sacrifices of countless revolutionaries. Today we are all fortunate that the country is celebrating its independence as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ under PM Modi’s guidance. I urge everyone to participate dedicatedly in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and Independence week celebrations,” said the chief minister.