Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday announced the establishment of a research chair in the name of the freedom fighter and member of Constituent Assembly Pandit Shriram Sharma at Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. In addition, the Chief Minister said that a University would be named after him to honour his immense contribution to the nation.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while unveiling the statue of Pandit Shriram Sharma at a function organised in Rohtak. He announced that the state government will also observe his birth anniversary, on October 1 every year. On this occasion, essay, poem writing, and speech competitions will be held in schools and colleges across the state, encouraging students to learn about and reflect on his life and legacy.

Saini also announced the installation of a 30-feet tall national flag at the site of Pandit Shriram Sharma’s statue, along with a beautification project for the location. Regarding the two other demands made by the Pandit Shriram Sharma Vichar Manch—writing his saga of valor at the Pandit Shriram Sharma Metro Station in Bahadurgarh and including his biography in the school curriculum—the Chief Minister said that these requests would be forwarded to the relevant departments for fulfillment. He also announced a discretionary grant of Rs 21 lakh for the Pandit Shriram Sharma Vichar Manch Samiti, further supporting the continued promotion of his ideals and values.

He paid rich tributes to the great freedom fighter, highlighting his significant role in India’s freedom struggle, making of constitution and his contributions to nation-building post-independence.

Deeply influenced by the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, Pandit Shriram Sharma participated in all five Satyagraha movements during India’s struggle for independence and was imprisoned multiple times for his efforts, he added. In January 1922, during the Non-Cooperation Movement, Pandit Sharma boldly uprooted the British flag in Jhajjar and hoisted the tricolor, leading to his arrest and brutal torture by the British police. Undeterred by the mistreatment, he remained resolute in his cause. In 1923, he also launched a weekly Urdu newspaper, Haryana Tilak, to inspire and ignite the spirit of the freedom struggle among the people.

The government has honoured Pandit Shriram Sharma by naming the Bahadurgarh Metro Station after him. In addition, the monthly Samman Pension provided to freedom fighters and their dependents has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000. This pension is currently being given to 289 beneficiaries across the state, he added.