Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the new generation should be sensitised about the sacrifices of freedom fighters, with the Chauri Chaura incident being the fulcrum of this thought process.
It may be unknown to many that the entire Purvanchal region was in the focus of the freedom struggle as the districts of Azamgarh, Mau, Deoria, Basti, Maharajganj, Sant Kabir Nagar and Maharajganj used to be a part of Gorakhpur where the Chauri Chaura incident happened.
To mark 100 years of the Chauri Chaura incident as a landmark event in the country's fight for independence, the UP government has announced to hold year-long centenary programmes and plans to develop the place as a heritage tourist spot.
In one of his review meetings on Friday evening, the chief minister insisted on planning the programme in such a manner that they instilled a sense of patriotism in the minds of the young generation.
An official communiqué released on Saturday confirmed that the mass recitation of Vande Mataram, various cultural events in schools and colleges, rendition of inspirational stories, cleanliness drive along with facelift of all the martyrs memorials of the state, were the basic parts of preparations which would be kick-started virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 4.
The events will begin in all districts from February 4 and will continue till February 4 next year.
Along with the beautification of Chauri Chaura Shaheed Sthal in Gorakhpur, the area is also being developed as a tourist spot on the lines of India Gate, Jallianwala Bagh and Cellular Jail in Andaman.
The chief minister has also asked officials to prepare an action plan to mark 75 years of Independence, beginning August 15, 2021, which will fall during the Chauri Chaura celebrations period.
He further instructed that salute to the martyrs, along with a police band, be given at all the martyrs memorials in all the districts of the state. The freedom fighters and their family members will also be honoured.
In the Chauri Chaura incident in the Gorakhpur district of the then United Province, (modern Uttar Pradesh) in British India on February 4, 1922, a large group of nearly 3,000 protestors participating in the non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi when the police opened fire on them,
In the non-violent civil disobedience (satyagraha), the protestors were challenging the oppressive government regulations such as the Rowlatt Act.
Three civilians were killed in the police firing. This enraged the demonstrators and they attacked and set a police station on fire, killing 23 policemen. The incident shook the foundation of the British Empire in India.
Mahatma Gandhi, who was strictly against violence, ended the Non-cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922, as a direct result of the Chauri Chaura incident, which played a decisive role in the freedom movement. Around 228 demonstrators were persecuted and 172 of them were sentenced to death by the Gorakhpur sessions court.
The chief minister has planned a series of events during the whole year to express gratitude towards those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country.
