Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Statues of freedom fighters must be installed in Parliament: Fernandes

Special Correspondent

Former Defence Minister inaugurates photo exhibition on freedom fighters

A TRIBUTE: Freedom fighter Vidyadhar Guruji speaking to former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand Rama Jois and former Union Defence Minister George Fernandes at a photo exhibition on freedom fighters in Gulbarga city on Friday.

GULBARGA: Convener of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and former Defence Minister George Fernandes on Friday demanded that the statues of freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country's independence be installed in the Parliament complex.

Speaking after inaugurating a photo exhibition of freedom fighters during a function to mark the birth centenary of Bhagat Singh at the Hindi Prachar Sabha here, Mr. Fernandes said he felt ashamed as he went around the exhibition hall since he did not even know the names of several of those whose portraits were put up. He said it was unfortunate that many in the country did not know the names of freedom fighters and failed to recognise their contribution to the country.

Mr. Fernandes said the situation would have been different had the country attained Independence under the leadership of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.

It would not face the problems bogging it down now, he said.

"But unfortunately the mantle of ruling this country after Independence fell into the hands of those who were more interested in promoting their own interests".

The contributions of Netaji and others was pushed to the background, he added.

He said he would raise the issue of installing freedom fighters' statues in the Parliament complex.

Former Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand Rama Jois said the cumulative impact of armed struggle and Satyagraha was responsible for the country attaining independence.

Freedom fighter and chairman of the celebration committee Vidyadhar Guruji welcomed the gathering.

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