Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today participated in the centenary celebrations of martyr Buddhu Nonia in Patna, Bihar. The event was attended by Union Minister Ms. Renu Devi, Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Samrat Choudhary and Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dr. Dilip Jaiswal, Shri Darasingh Chouhan, Shri Sanjay Jaiswal, and a large number of followers and members of the Nonia community.

On this occasion, Shri Chouhan said that it is a matter of immense pride to represent the society in which martyr Buddhu Nonia was born. He thanked the Bihar government for the decision to install a statue of the martyr in Patna.

Recalling the sacrifice of Buddhu Nonia, Shri Chouhan said that the British did not present us freedom on a silver platter — thousands of revolutionaries embraced the gallows with a smile. “We earned our freedom through intense struggle and sacrifice. Many revolutionaries spent their entire youth grinding in the prisons of Andaman and Nicobar, and when they walked toward the gallows, their legs didn’t tremble. There was no fear or anxiety. They held the Gita in one hand, chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, and had unwavering determination in their hearts. These brave revolutionaries prayed to God by saying “If we are reborn after death, let it be on this land of India, and let the cycle of life and death continue here until the country is free”. The martyrs sacrificed everything,” he said.

Shri Chouhan expressed pride in the Nonia and Chouhan communities, and said that around 1770, two major uprisings took place — the Sanyasi Rebellion and the Nonia Rebellion. While they may be economically poor, the Nonia community has never hesitated to stake their lives for the pride of the nation. The Nonia Rebellion aimed to drive out the British. Responding to Gandhi ji’s call during the Salt Satyagraha, Buddhu Nonia took part in making salt. He was deceitfully arrested and thrown into a boiling salt cauldron. Even while being burned, he chanted, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Vande Mataram”.

The Minister emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have done remarkable work for the poor, backward, and marginalised. He added that if our sisters have gained dignity, it has been under the NDA government. He said that today’s conference coincided with Buddhu Nonia’s centenary as Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah announced the dates for the caste-based census. Shri Chouhan thanked PM Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Shah, and assured that all representations from the community will be conveyed to the central government. He noted that Renu Devi suggested that if 95% of the community is extremely poor, they should be considered for Scheduled Tribe status, which the government will review.

“We must resolve to support those who support us,” he added. He also declared that the nation will never forgive those who insult Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Shri Chouhan reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering the poor, the backward, and the marginalised. He affirmed that the government is making every effort to uplift the last person standing on the social ladder. In Bihar, too, every eligible person will get a house under the PM Awas Yojana. Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to increase the number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ to ensure women’s dignity and self-reliance. “The dignity and progress of our women are paramount,” he asserted.

Concluding his remarks, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called upon everyone to actively participate in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

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PSF/KSR/AR

Read this release in: Hindi

Chouhans Press Release