"Our history books have done injustice to our heroes": Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

New Delhi: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday criticised the manipulation of Indian history, stating that it has been distorted to create a monopoly around a select few individuals being credited for India's independence.
"Our history books have done injustice to our heroes. Our history has been manipulated and doctored, creating a monopoly of a few who are credited with gaining us independence. It is an unbearable pain on our conscience. It is a burden on our soul and heart. I am certain we must bring about significant change. There is no better occasion to reflect on this than the commemoration of the first Bharat Sarkar in 1915," Dhankhar said while addressing the 138th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Dhankhar described Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh as a natural diplomat, statesman, visionary, and nationalist. He highlighted how Raja Mahendra Pratap epitomised patriotism, nationalism, and foresight by demonstrating what could be achieved for the nation.
Expressing his anguish over the lack of recognition for unsung heroes of the freedom struggle, Dhankhar said, "What a travesty of justice, what a tragedy. In the 75th year of our independence, we have failed--miserably failed--to acknowledge the heroic feats of great men like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh. Our history has not given him the place he deserves. The foundations of our independence, built on the supreme sacrifices of people like him and other unsung or lesser-sung heroes, have been misrepresented."
He further added, "In 1932, this extraordinary visionary, who rose above ordinary concerns in the name of freedom, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by N.A. Nielsen. And why? For his role in the same campaign in South Africa for which Gandhi became renowned. I urge everyone to read that nomination--it reflects the towering personality of the man."
The Vice-President criticised the way history has been written, marked by an unfortunate tendency to overlook certain national heroes. "We cannot nurture our history by indulgently crediting a few while marginalising others who played pivotal roles. It is imperative to present unvarnished historical accounts to inspire patriotic fervour in this generation and those to come."
At the event, Dhankhar also emphasised the importance of farmers' welfare in achieving the status of a developed nation. "Our current economic progress is phenomenal, with exponential growth and an enhanced global image. However, to attain developed nation status by 2047, the satisfaction and welfare of our farmers are essential. It is our precondition for progress," he said.
Urging farmers to resolve issues through dialogue and understanding, Dhankhar remarked, "We must remember not to fight amongst ourselves or deceive our own people--that is what we reserve for our enemies. Our people must be embraced. How can anyone rest when farmers' issues remain unresolved? I appeal to my farmer brothers to resolve their problems through dialogue. Raja Mahendra Pratap was known for such an approach."
The Vice-President's speech underlined the need for an honest recounting of history and the prioritisation of issues such as farmers' welfare for national progress.