LUCKNOW 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 UP finance minister Suresh Khanna attended a programme in Lucknow where floral tributes were paid to Pant, the first chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Pant Ji introduced several important reforms. Pant ji was prominent among the great leaders who strongly defended the revolutionaries in this case. He actively participated in the freedom movement of the country. The land reform model presented by him was also significant. At that time, there were linguistic conflicts in the country and attempts were being made to create new divisions in society. He played his role with great wisdom in finding a solution to these issues. He also played an important role in establishing Hindi as the official language,” he added.
Describing Pant as a distinguished lawyer and freedom fighter, the CM recalled his role in defending freedom fighters prosecuted by then British government following the 1925 Kakori train action. After the Kakori Train Action in 1925, the British government filed a case against the revolutionaries. “In 1954, he became the Union home minister.
He said, “Pt Govind Ballabh Pant was not only a great advocate but also a prominent freedom fighter. On behalf of the UP government and the people of the state, I pay my respects to his memory and offer my humble tribute to him,” said Adityanath. “In 1937, he was elected as the premier of Uttar Pradesh, but soon after, he resigned from his post and moved forward to fight for the freedom movement,” he said. Adityanath said: “He worked for economic advancement and the interests of every section of society.
“Today is the birth anniversary of Pant Ji, the first CM of UP.
