JAMMU, Aug 23: The Shaheed Kisan Baba Jitto Sangharsh Samiti staged a protest in Jammu on Saturday, alleging that the historical heritage and contributions of Jammu are being ignored by the government. The protesters demanded due recognition for Baba Jitto, a revered 15th-century saint and symbol of farmers’ rights and social justice.
Addressing the gathering, the Samiti said that Baba Jitto’s life, struggle and sacrifice constitute an important chapter of Jammu’s history. It alleged that successive governments since Independence have failed to accord him the honour and recognition he deserves despite his widespread reverence among people in Jammu and Kashmir as well as other parts of the country and abroad.
The Samiti described Baba Jitto as a great saint who sacrificed his life while standing up for the rights, dignity and honour of farmers. It said his legacy transcends caste and religious boundaries and represents social unity and harmony.
The protesters pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir has two agricultural universities, yet neither has been named after Baba Jitto. They demanded that the government consider naming an appropriate agricultural institution after the revered saint in recognition of his association with farmers and agrarian values.
The Samiti also strongly demanded that the life, struggle and sacrifice of Baba Jitto be incorporated into school textbooks across Jammu and Kashmir. It said that educating students about his contribution would help the younger generation understand the region’s history and draw inspiration from his courage, sacrifice and commitment to justice.
The protesters appealed to BJP MLAs to support the demand and raise the issue before the government. They said the demand had also figured in the BJP’s manifesto and urged the party to stand by its commitment and take concrete steps for preserving Baba Jitto’s historical legacy.
The Samiti warned that it would continue its struggle for the honour and recognition of Baba Jitto until its demands are addressed. It maintained that preserving the history of personalities who contributed to society is essential for protecting Jammu’s cultural and historical identity.
Partap Singh Jamwal, President of the Samiti, along with Bhanu Partap Goria, S. Sukhvinder Singh, Aman Sharma, Vishal Mehra, Arun Mehra, Sourav, Rinku, Mohit Talwar, Aayeab, Ajay Sharma, Nikhil Sharma, Ubdesh Thakur, Ajay Thakur, Dixit Sharma, Sunil Abhishek, Ansh Mehra, Aaksh Meenis, Abhi Singh, Rajat Singh and Ajay Singh, among others, participated in the protest.