Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, said that the denotified and nomadic communities have a long, glorious and inspiring history. Even in the most challenging circumstances, these communities have preserved their spirit of hard work, rich art, unique culture and self-respect.
The Chief Minister said that the contribution of the bravehearts and great personalities belonging to denotified and nomadic communities occupies a distinguished place in India’s history and its glorious past. He recalled Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana Ji, who identified Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as the true Guru, Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara Ji and Bhai Nigahia Ji, who risked everything to ensure the cremation of the sacred body of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Bhai Jaita Ji, who carried Guru Sahib’s sacred head from Delhi to Sri Anandpur Sahib and earned the honour of being called ‘Rangreta Guru Ka Beta’.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing a delegation representing various nomadic communities of Haryana and Punjab at his Chandigarh residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, on Sunday.
The Chief Minister said that valour has been inherited by these communities from their ancestors. Driven by the same spirit of patriotism, they posed a formidable challenge to British rule during the freedom struggle. He said that the British, frustrated by their resistance, enacted the ‘Criminal Tribes Act’ in 1871 and committed the grave injustice of branding these patriotic communities as hereditary criminals.
He said that this stigma was finally removed on August 31, 1952, after Independence, and this historic day is therefore observed as ‘Vimukti Divas’.
Education Can Transform the Future of Coming Generations
He said that the State Government is providing free textbooks, uniforms and stationery up to Class XII, besides free coaching for competitive examinations. Scholarships ranging from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 12,000 are also being provided under the Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chhattar Sanshodhit Yojana.
