Freedom struggle narrative restricted to a few: Modi

In a veiled attack on Nehru-Gandhi family, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said narratives on India's freedom struggle were confined to a few families and events.

He was felicitating descendants of 16 freedom fighters of the Paika rebellion against British in 1817 in Odisha, here at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday. Modi was in Bhubaneswar to attend the BJP's national executive meeting.

Lauding the contribution of tribals to Indian freedom struggle, Modi said that virtual museums would be set up at 50 places in the country to highlight the significant role played by the tribals in the freedom struggle. "Unfortunately, narratives of our great freedom struggle were restricted to a few families, dynasties and a few events in our country. But, the freedom struggle was people's movements filled with sagas of dedications and sacrifices over 700-800 years," Modi said.

Modi said for a self-respecting country, it was essential to recall all those stories of struggle. He underlined the role played by tribals, several of whom were hanged or arrested, in fighting the British. "The new generation should know the sacrifices made by all," he said.

He said the sacrifices of the martyrs would be recognised when the country celebrates 75 years of Independence in 2022 and that by then India will be a land that these tribal communities have dreamt of.

The BJP is hoping to make significant inroads into the state, where the population of the tribals is around 22 per cent, in 2019 when both Odisha and Lok Sabha go to polls.