Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali remembered
Tribune News Service
Haridwar, April 24
Tributes were paid to the Peshawar revolt hero and eminent freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali here today on the occasion of the anniversary of the Peshawar uprising of 1930.
The Uttarakhand Rajya Andolakari Manch organised a special programme here and floral tributes were paid to a portrait of the legendary freedom fighter. Statehood activist JP Pandey termed Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali as an inspirational person, who by his bravery and honesty became the face of the Himalayan state.
Pandey said on April 23, 1930, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, who was heading a platoon of Royal Garhwal Rifles in Peshawar, had refused to fire at unarmed protesting Pathans. “This act of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali was one of its kind, which is still remembered as, otherwise, hundreds of unarmed Pathans would have been massacred by the British forces,” he added.
Uday Ram Semwal, a leader of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, said Garhwali was born in Ranisera village (Masau) at Thalisain in Pauri Garhwal district. “His heroic acts have been inspiring not only Garhwal Rifles jawans, but also every native of Uttarakhand. Even Mahatma Gandhi had spoken highly of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali post-Peshawar incident. He had offered a khadi cap to Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali during his visit to Almora before the Peshawar incident,” said Uday Ram.
She added that though after this brave act Garhwali was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment, the spark he had ignited gave a boost to Gandhiji and other freedom fighters in the Independence movement.
A postal stamp released by the Central Government in the memory of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali in 1994 was also shown to the activists on the occasion. Lalit Mamgain, Mahesh Gaud, Manoj Giri, and Rajbeer Kamboj also paid tributes to the great soldier.
