A hitherto-unknown historic covenant has come as a shot in the arm for those demanding a Bundelkhand state in southern UP.
A hitherto-unknown historic covenant has come as a shot in the arm for those demanding a Bundelkhand state in southern UP. Bundelkhand Mukti Morcha (BMM) chief and actor Raja Bundela will file a public interest litigation (PIL) in Supreme Court in January to ask the Centre to honour the covenant it signed with rulers of 35 states of Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand for creation of ‘The United State of Vindhya Pradesh’.
The covenant, signed in 1948 between erstwhile rulers of these 35 kingdoms, and then secretary in the ministry of states at the Centre, VP Menon, has surfaced for the first time in recent history.
“Bundelkhand’s demand for a separate state is not based on the whimsical fancy of some neo-politicos. The Government of India had recognised this state way back in 1948. It had agreed to the formation of a ‘United State of Vindhya Pradesh’, and even signed a covenant guaranteeing creation of this state,” Raja Bundela told reporters in Lucknow on Monday.
“Before surrendering their kingdoms, the rulers of Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand had put the condition that these kingdoms be governed as one state by a common executive, legislature and judiciary,” Bundela said. He gave out copies of the covenant to mediapersons. “How can the Government of India go back on its word ?” he asked. He also gave out a map of the proposed new state.
The BMM is organising a 300-km padyatra from Chitrakoot (UP) on Wednesday (Dec 16) to conclude at Khajuraho on January 1.
If the peaceful padyatra fails to move the Centre, “we might not be able to contain people’s anger,” Bundela said. “Is the Centre waiting for a situation where the people of Bundelkhand start joining hands with Maoists and terrorists?” Bundela asked.
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