Chauri Chaura martyrs not given their due: Modi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 4

The Chauri Chaura incident, which prompted Mahatma Gandhi to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement midway, was on Thursday hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a momentous event which inspired generations of freedom fighters.

Gandhi called off the agitation after violence erupted at Chauri Chaura on February 4, 1922, when a mob, infuriated by the police firing at protesters, set a police station on fire leading to the death of 25 persons, including 22 police personnel.

Gandhi’s decision was lauded as a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to the ideal of “Ahimsa”.

Modi completely ignored the Father of the Nation as he inaugurated a year-long programme rolled out by the Uttar Pradesh Government to observe the centenary of the Chauri-Chaura incident.

The inaugural function, which took place at Gorakhpur in the presence of UP CM Yogi Adityanath, was addressed by Modi through video-conferencing facility from Delhi.

Modi did not mention even in passing the name of Gandhi or his step of calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement following the violent incident in Chauri Chaura. The PM said the “martyrs of Chauri Chaura” had been ignored by those who chronicled the history of our freedom struggle.