Srinagar, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina on Thursday called for greater recognition of lesser-known freedom fighters whose contributions and sacrifices played an important role in India’s struggle for independence.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Raina said the history of the freedom movement should not remain confined to a few prominent leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, while the contributions of numerous other freedom fighters remain relatively unknown to the public.
He cited revolutionaries and leaders including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Abid Hussain Safrani of the Jai Hind Movement, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, M. Ali Johar of the Khilafat Movement and Rajguru as among those who made significant contributions to the freedom struggle.
Raina also highlighted the Ghadar Movement and the role of revolutionaries such as Kartar Singh Sarabha in challenging British rule. He said the contribution of women leaders, including Sarojini Naidu, in mobilising women and strengthening the freedom movement also deserved greater attention.
He said independence meant more than freedom from colonial rule, encompassing the right to live, study and work freely and participate in the democratic process by electing representatives and governments.
“Today, our youth are celebrating Independence Day, but they must also understand what freedom means and the sacrifices made to achieve it,” Raina said.
He urged young people to study the history of India’s freedom struggle and understand the hardships endured by those who fought against British rule.
Raina stressed that the independence movement was not the achievement of any single community, pointing out that people from different sections of society, including Muslims and Sikhs, made significant sacrifices for the country.
He called for the contributions of grassroots-level freedom fighters from across India to be properly documented and brought before the public so that future generations can learn about their role in the freedom movement.
Raina said the nation remained indebted to all those who sacrificed their lives and contributed to securing India’s independence.
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