Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated a memorial in Ambala Cantt built in honour of those who sacrificed their lives during the first war of independence in 1857.
“The memorial, named “Azadi Ki Pehli Ladai Ka Shaheed Smarak”, will become a source of inspiration for the youth in the days to come,” Shah said.
Its foundation stone was laid when Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar was the Haryana chief minister. After the inauguration, Shah addressed a public gathering at Gandhi Ground on Jagadhri Road. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Khattar, Vij, BJP state incharge Smriti Irani, BJP state president Archana Gupta, and several cabinet ministers were also present.
Built over eight years on 22 acres at a cost of ₹ 800 crore along the Delhi-Chandigarh national highway, the Smarak was the brainchild of cabinet minister and Ambala Cantonment MLA Anil Vij.
“I tell everyone, holding up placards won’t achieve anything,” Shah said. “Form a BJP government, form an NDA government, our Haryana is providing MSP on 24 crops,” he said, as he was speaking about forming a government in poll-bound Punjab. He said that if a BJP-NDA government is formed in Punjab, farmers would no longer have to carry placards demanding an MSP guarantee.
Shah praised Vij for his contribution in realising his dream of building such a memorial While addressing the gathering. “I was not able to tour the whole memorial. But I saw the zeal behind Vij’s eye, when he came to invite me for the event. “Recently, during a drug-free India campaign, I have been visiting Punjab quite frequently for a drug-free state.
Shah praised Saini for his ability to get things done swiftly despite his soft-spoken demeanour, and asserted that the BJP would seek votes in the state in 2029 only after fulfilling all its sankalps and guarantees.
Let me tell you all, Vij will be remembered in the country as long as this Smarak remains,” he said. “Bolte dheere hain, lekin kaam tez karte hain,” Shah said, describing Saini as a CM who delivers results quickly. The farmers there stand with placards saying ‘MSP ki guarantee, MSP ki guarantee’. (Congress leader) Rahul (Gandhi) Ji has handed them a ‘jhunjhuna’ (a rattle),” he said.
