Reflecting on martyrs’ legacy, minister Vij calls for revolution against corruption
The outspoken Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij said if Mahatma Gandhi had gone on a hunger strike for Bhagat Singh, the latter would have seen the country getting Independence. The minister was speaking after paying tributes to Bhagat Singh on his martyrdom day in Ambala Cantonment.
Minister Vij said, “I respect all those who played their roles in the Independence struggle. But the one thing that always resonates in my mind is that Mahatma Gandhi was leading the freedom struggle at the time and observed many hunger strikes. Had he sat on one to get Bhagat Singh released, he (Bhagat Singh) would have also seen the light of Independent India.”
Vij said, “Bhagat Singh instilled the feeling of patriotism in people. We should follow the path shown by him. The war that Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru had started needs to be continued. Now the revolution has to be carried forward and expanded. One enemy (in the form of the British) has gone, but there are many enemies within the country, which include corruption, inefficiency, and not fulfilling one’s duties. We have to fight against and kill such enemies as a tribute to the sacrifices of freedom fighters.”
He pointed out that in the past, corruption was so rampant that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had admitted that only Rs 15 out of every Rs 100 meant for public welfare actually reached the people.
“We have to be free and get rid of corruption, and if we manage to do this, the country will progress 100 times. The BJP government has made several arrangements to end corrupt practices. Beneficiaries are reaping the benefits of the government scheme through direct benefit transfers,” he added.
The minister said, “I have ensured that my city remembers martyrs by installing statues of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Subhas Park, Shaheed Bhagat Singh at the Mini Secretariat, and a memorial for the martyrs of the 1857 revolt on the National Highway in Ambala Cantonment. These will inspire future generations to dedicate themselves to the nation.”
Ambala Cantonment SDM Vinesh Kumar, RTA Sushil Kumar, Executive Officer of Municipal Council (Ambala Sadar) Ravinder Kumar and several BJP leaders were present on the occasion.
The minister also released a grant of Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary fund for the installation of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Ambala Cantonment. He asked the officials of the Municipal Council to find a suitable place for the installation.
