Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently expressed his discontent with the way Indian history has been manipulated, arguing that it has unfairly credited a select few individuals for the country’s independence while ignoring the contributions of numerous unsung heroes.
Speaking at the 138th birth anniversary celebration of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Dhankhar called for a much-needed change in the way history is written, describing the current portrayal as a burden on the nation’s conscience.
He began by asserting that history books in India have done injustice to many unsung heroes of the freedom struggle.
The Vice-President lamented the fact that the historical narrative has been doctored to give undue credit to a handful of individuals, leaving out many others who played a crucial role in securing India’s independence.
According to Dhankhar, this selective narrative is not only misleading but also painful for the nation, as it fails to honour the true spirit of the freedom struggle.
Dhankhar's comments were a powerful call for a more inclusive history that reflects the contributions of all those who fought for India’s freedom.
He urged that significant changes must be made to correct the imbalances in the historical accounts, which have long overlooked the contributions of several freedom fighters.
In his speech, Dhankhar cited the commemoration of the first Bharat Sarkar in 1915 as the perfect occasion to reflect on these shortcomings.
The Vice-President took the opportunity to highlight the life and achievements of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, a prominent but often overlooked freedom fighter.
Dhankhar described Singh as a natural diplomat, a visionary, a statesman, and a nationalist who made significant sacrifices for the nation. He expressed deep frustration over the fact that figures like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh had been largely ignored in India’s mainstream historical narrative.
He emphasised that these unsung heroes, whose contributions were foundational to India’s independence, had not received the recognition they truly deserved.
Dhankhar’s remarks were a strong condemnation of the prevailing historical narrative. He referred to the marginalisation of such national heroes as "a travesty of justice" and a "tragedy," especially as India celebrated its 75th year of independence.
He argued that the contributions of people like Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh and other lesser-known heroes had been misrepresented, and their sacrifices had not been properly acknowledged in the historical accounts.
The Vice-President also referred to a significant moment in Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh’s life that highlighted his global recognition.
In 1932, Singh was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by N.A. Nielsen for his role in the South African campaign for freedom—a cause for which Mahatma Gandhi is also renowned.
Dhankhar urged everyone to read the nomination, which he said reflects the towering personality and immense contribution of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh to the cause of freedom.
In addition to his reflections on history, Dhankhar also touched upon the need to address pressing issues related to farmers’ welfare. He stressed that for India to become a developed nation by 2047, the well-being and satisfaction of the nation’s farmers must be prioritised.
The Vice-President acknowledged the country’s impressive economic progress but stated that true development could only be achieved if the welfare of farmers was placed at the centre of national policies.
He also called on farmers to resolve their issues through dialogue, urging them to avoid conflicts among themselves and focus on collective progress.
He pointed out that Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was known for his approach of resolving issues through understanding and cooperation, and urged the farmers to follow this example.
Dhankhar concluded his speech by emphasising the need for an honest recounting of India’s history and the prioritisation of farmers’ welfare for the country's progress.
He made a passionate plea for the people of India to unite and work together to build a better future, underlining that only through understanding and mutual respect could the country achieve its true potential.
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