Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on his 139th birth anniversary, recalling his contribution to India’s freedom struggle, governance, land reforms and resolution of linguistic tensions after Independence.
Adityanath and Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna attended a programme in Lucknow where floral tributes were paid to Pant, the first chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
He said Pant introduced several reforms during his tenure, particularly highlighting his land reform initiatives. “As the first CM of Uttar Pradesh, he began efforts to present the administration of such a large state as a model of good governance. At that time, there were linguistic conflicts in the country and attempts were being made to create new divisions in society. His policy priorities as Uttar Pradesh chief minister included abolition of the zamindari system, forest conservation, women’s rights, economic stability and protection of vulnerable sections.
Describing Pant as a distinguished lawyer and freedom fighter, the CM recalled his role in defending revolutionaries prosecuted by the British government following the 1925 Kakori train action. “In 1954, he became the Union home minister. Pant was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1957.
“In 1925, when the British government registered a case against the revolutionaries in connection with the Kakori train action, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant was the great leader who became the revolutionaries’ lawyer and fought their case with full strength,” he said. He worked for its economic advancement and for the interests of every section of society,” Adityanath said. He played his role with great wisdom in finding a solution to these issues,” Adityanath said.
