Yoddha Smarak Samiti demands
The Yoddha Samarak Samiti congratulated the Ministry of Culture on its successful pursuit of getting recognition for the six Rajasthan forts namely: Chittaurgarh, Ranthambore, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh, Amber and Gagron Fort from the prestigious United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and inclusion of these forts in their ‘World Heritage List’ as sites of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’. The Samiti also felicitated the Union Minister for Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch for this unique and glorious achievement. The description submitted by the permanent delegation of India to UNESCO is also praise-worthy, as it makes respectable references to ‘Rajputs’.
The Samiti has now demanded that not only these forts, but also the valiant warriors who built them, fought there and sacrificed their lives for the sake of motherland and who have been languishing for recognition for long should be honoured. Demand has also come for recognition of the brave women who voluntarily performed Jauhar by pridefully consigning themselves to flames to save their honour from the marauding invaders. The natural corollary of this recognition at the international stage would be that the honour bestowed upon these forts by the UNESCO should find reflection at the national level also.
In a representation made by Shri Darshan Lal Jain, president of Yoddha Samarak Samiti, to the Union Minister, the Samiti on May 21 demanded that the Delhi roads, which have been named after the invaders, should instead be named after the brave defenders, at least the ‘Akbar Road’ should be renamed as ‘Maharana Pratap Marg’. It is a matter of national shame, humiliation for any self-respecting person and an insult to the valiant martyrs like Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji and Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj, to name roads in the name of invaders. (FOC)
