Chandigarh – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. 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.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that skilled warriors of the Sikligar and Banjara communities strengthened the Khalsa army by making highly effective weapons for battles against the Mughals. He also recalled Bhamashah and heroes of the Banjara community who supported Maharana Pratap’s struggle for self-respect by supplying essential provisions and material, thereby contributing to the defence of the country. He described all of them as the true heroes of the nation.
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’.
The Chief Minister said that merely observing Vimukti Divas is not enough and the communities must receive what was taken away from them during British rule. He said that governments which remained in power for long periods after Independence failed to adequately address the concerns of these communities, leaving them deprived of basic rights.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that after Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, assumed the leadership of the country in 2014, he gave the guiding mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’. The double-engine government, guided by this spirit, is continuously working for the welfare of the poor.
He said that under the PM Awas Yojana, 1.60 lakh families in Haryana have been provided pucca houses. Besides, plots have been allotted to 702 nomadic families in Karnal, Palwal and Rohtak, laying the foundation for a secure future for these families.
The Chief Minister said that under the Dr. Ambedkar Awas Navinikaran Yojana, financial assistance for house repairs has been enhanced from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 80,000. As many as 85,815 families have received assistance amounting to Rs. 416 crore under the scheme.
He said that LPG cylinders are being provided to poor families for just Rs. 500, benefiting more than 15 lakh women. Under the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, financial assistance of Rs. 1,523 crore has been provided to 3.85 lakh families for the marriage of their daughters.
*Education Can Transform the Future of Coming Generations*
Calling upon representatives of the nomadic communities to accord the highest priority to education, the Chief Minister said that regardless of how difficult the circumstances may be, parents must ensure that their children receive an education. Education, he said, is the power that 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.
The Chief Minister called upon the youth to study diligently, acquire skills, excel in sports and stay away from harmful habits such as drug abuse so that they can fulfil the dreams of their parents. He also urged the representatives to take information about government welfare schemes to every household so that every member of the community can benefit and become empowered.
National President, Akhil Bharatiya DNT Kalyan Sangathan, Sh. Rajinder Singh Desujodha, Sh. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, Haryana Vimukat Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board, Sh. Jasmer Singh Banjara, former MLA, Sh. Lakshman Napa and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.