Raipur, 20 September 2021. Governor Ms. Anusuiya Uikey unveiled the statues of great sacrificers Raja Amar Shaheed Shankarshah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah at village-Churnatola in Seoni district. This program was organized by Gond Samaj Mahasabha Madhya Pradesh. The Governor bowed down to Amar Shaheed Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that the immortal sacrifice saga of Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah is a source of inspiration for all of us, who inspire all of us with patriotism.
The Governor said that unitedly try for the sake of the society. At this time some disruptive elements are trying to disintegrate the society, are trying to divide on the basis of religion, sect, caste, there is a need to be careful with them. The Governor said that I myself am also from the Gond community. Gondi language should get a place and I will do everything possible for its development. He said that tribals are worshipers of nature. I urge you not to forget your culture and traditions. He also suggested making tribals as share holders at the time of land acquisition.
The Governor said that there are many great heroes like Veer Narayan Singh, Tantya Bhil, Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah in the tribal society, who have contributed in the Indian freedom struggle. Many of these names could not be recorded in the pages of history and were lost in oblivion. He needs to be remembered on the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. Their information should be given to the new generations, so that they can know the contribution of their ancestors. Ms. Uike informed about the work done as the Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
The Governor said that Amar Shaheed Gond Maharaja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah were the Gondwana rulers of the Garha kingdom. This land has been the land of heroes from the very beginning. Raja Shankar Shah was against the mistreatment by the British and wanted independence from the British. After the usurpation policy of Dalhousie, the background of the first freedom struggle in India was being prepared, which was also known to Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah. Father-son formed a powerful organization in the immediate circumstances and gradually a front was prepared under their leadership in the Central Provinces.
Ms. Uike said that King Shankar Shah called a meeting in the Central Provinces to plan a rebellion against the British. At the same time, the commissioner of Jabalpur Cantonment Cantonment, through spies, came to know about the plan of King Shankar Shah and attacked Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunathshah by attacking Garha Purva. The British placed the condition of the treaty in front of these father and son and said that after accepting the conditions, they would be forgiven. The father-son did not accept these conditions as a result of which he was sentenced to death and was hanged on 18 September 1857. He said that even when he was sentenced to death, there was no sign of fear in him. The British thought that public execution would lead to fear among the people, while the opposite resulted and the flames of revolution flared up throughout the Central Provinces. His sacrifice could never be forgotten.
The Governor said that at this time we are celebrating ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ of independence. We are remembering all the heroes who contributed in the freedom struggle. Such people should also be remembered whose name could not be revealed due to some reason. We should remember that when our country was a slave, our ancestors faced many challenges at that time. Despite this, he did not deviate from the path, his goal was to get rid of the British. As a result, the country became independent on 15 August 1947, but today we have many challenges of different types. We should face these and unitedly contribute to the progress of the nation.
On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Steel Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, President of Gond Samaj Mahasabha Madhya Pradesh Shri BS Parteti, Former Minister Shri Omkar Singh Markam, Former MLA Shri Kamal Merskole, Shri Kaushal Singh Porte, Smt. Kamani Shah, Shri Shobharam Bhalavi , Shri Aman Singh Porte, Shri Shyam Singh Markam were present.
Raipur: The immortal sacrifice story of Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah is an inspiration for all of us: Ms. Uike
