The BJP Mahila Morcha recently organised a programme on March 29 to pay tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar, the first queen from South India to fight against British colonial rule, at the Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium, Civic Center, New Delhi. A coffee table book was also unveiled, documenting the contributions of 75 female freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for Bharat’s independence.
Addressing this event, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the tendency to divide the country based on language must end. He reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains committed to protecting Hindi and all other Indian languages.
“Some people are unnecessarily creating controversy over Tamil and Hindi languages. However, the BJP is fully committed to protecting Hindi and all other Indian languages, and we are working towards that. There is no competition between Hindi and other Indian languages, but rather a spirit of cooperation among them. Hindi strengthens all Indian languages, and all Indian languages strengthen Hindi,” Rajnath Singh said.
“This trend of dividing the country in the name of language must stop. And if anyone can spread this message effectively and play an active role in it, I believe our sisters can do it in a more impactful way,” he added. His comments come when the Tamil Nadu government, led by MK Stalin, is at odds with the Central government regarding the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise.
In his speech, Rajnath Singh also highlighted the BJP government’s commitment towards women’s empowerment, stating that the party has ensured reservations for women in Parliament and state assemblies. He emphasised that without the support and empowerment of women, the goal of building a strong Atmanirbhar Bharat is impossible.
“We passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, ensuring reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. When I was the party president, I also ensured that women held at least 33 per cent representation within the party organisation. Without the support and empowerment of women, building a strong and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) is impossible,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for focusing on women-led development in the country. “Today, our Prime Minister has shown complete faith in the strength and power of women. There’s a growing focus on women-led development in the country. Before Modi ji, no one ever discussed women-led development,” he said.
Referring to Nachiyar as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and intelligence, Singh said: “True leadership lies not in staying in power but in the will to fight against oppression and injustice.” Regarding Aurangzeb, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Rani Chennamma had supported the Maratha rulers against a ruthless ruler like Aurangzeb. Some people among us have started considering Aurangzeb as their ideal. Aurangzeb not only divided India’s potential on the basis of cities, but also oppressed many people of other religions.
Singh also mentioned Rani Lakshmibai, Rani Durgavati, and Rani Chennamma, saying they will remain inspirations for future generations. “When women are empowered, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families, society and the entire nation,” he said, adding that when women participated in Satyagraha and the Quit India and Non-Cooperation movements, these struggles transcended politics and became national movements, reaching every home, street, and village.
Speaking on Rani Velu Nachiyar and women freedom fighters, Rajnath Singh said that she was a heroic freedom fighter from South India who played an important role. He congratulated Vanathi Srinivasan for telling the story of Velu Nachiyar to every part of the country including North India. He said that sitting on the throne is not the quality of leadership. Working against oppression is the quality of a leader which Velu Nachiyar has shown. Even before the 1857 freedom struggle, even before Jhansi’s Rani Lakshmibai and Jhalkari Bai rebelled against the British Raj, the struggle that two heroic women of South India have done for their motherland can never be forgotten. There were two heroic women, one was Rani Velu Nachiyar and the other was the commander of her army, both of them sacrificed their lives happily.
Addressing the event, BJP Mahila Morcha President Vanathi Srinivasan said that BJP Mahila Morcha is organising programmes across the country to honour the women who participated in the freedom struggle. Seventy-five women freedom fighters have been included in this e-coffee table book. We should not forget the contribution of Rani Velu Nachiyar, she worked a lot to defeat the Britisher.
Hindi is a popular language in India. It gives strength to other Indian languages. I want to tell the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin that the BJP is working to take Hindi to every home in the country. She added that we have showcased the Tamil play on Rani Velu Nachiyar in Hindi.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari participated as special guests. Apart from this, BJP Mahila Morcha President Vanathi Srinivasan and other dignitaries also attended the programme. The life of Rani Velu Nachiyar, described in the play, and a book, also unveiled the contribution of 75 women freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for independence. The event was attended by National General Secretary (Organization) BL Santosh, National Vice President and MP Baijayant Panda, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai, National Coordinator V. Satish, former ministers, and MPs including Darshana Jardosh and Rajya Sabha members.
About Rani Velu Nachiyar:
- She was born on January 3, 1730, to the Raja and Rani of the Ramnad kingdom
- She was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the only child of Raja Chellamuthu vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal of the Ramnad kingdom
- At the age of 16, she married the prince of Sivaganga, Muthuvadugananthur Udaiyathevar
- She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai
- She was trained in war to match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using the stick), horse riding and archery
- She was skilled in the art of warfare and weaponry, Velu Nachiyar was also a scholar, and mastered several languages including English, French and Urdu
- In collaboration with Hyder Ali and Gopala Nayaker, she waged a war against the British and emerged victoriously
- She was the first queen to fight for freedom from the British in India. She granted powers to the Marudu brothers to administer the country in 1780
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