Chandigarh, July 7:- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara are not merely two names but two immortal chapters in Sikh and Indian history. They made sacrifice their religion, service their way of life, and dedication their identity. He paid his respectful tributes to both these great personalities.
The Chief Minister was addressing the state-level birth anniversary celebration of Baba Makhan Shah Labana Ji and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara Ji organised under the "Sant-Mahapurush Samman Evam Vichar Prachar Yojana" at Sant Kabir Kutir on Tuesday. On the occasion, members of the community welcomed the Chief Minister by presenting him with a memento and a traditional siropa (robe of honour).
Representatives of the Banjara community also submitted a memorandum containing six demands. The Chief Minister assured them that all their demands would be fulfilled. He further announced that the process related to the land allotted for the Baba Makhan Shah Labana Dharamshala at Pehowa would be expedited and sanctioned Rs 31 lakh for construction work. In addition, he announced the construction of a Community Centre in Datoli village with financial assistance of Rs 31 lakh. He also spoke about naming an institution after Baba Makhan Shah Labana.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Nayab Singh Saini said that great saints and spiritual leaders do not belong to any one caste, sect or community but are the shared heritage of the entire nation. Their ideals, values and history are not merely a legacy of the past but an inspiration for a New India and a new era. With this vision, the state government has launched the "Sant-Mahapurush Samman Evam Vichar Prachar Yojana" so that their teachings and ideals can reach future generations. He said that after a long time, Haryana has a government that has worked to honour great personalities so that the younger generation can learn about their sacrifice, penance and contributions.
The Chief Minister said that Baba Makhan Shah Labana Ji was born in 1619 to Bhai Dasa Ji Labana. He recalled that when the atrocities of Mughal rule had reached their peak and the Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, sacrificed his life at Chandni Chowk for the protection of religion, an atmosphere of fear prevailed and no one dared to touch his mortal remains. At that crucial moment, Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara and his son Nigahiya came forward. They carried Guru Sahib's mortal remains to their home and, in order to perform his last rites with full honour, they set their own house on fire. Today, Gurdwara Shri Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi stands as a living testimony to their supreme sacrifice.
The Chief Minister said that the Banjara-Labana community had played a vital role in strengthening the country's economy for centuries. He noted that the British enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, declaring the community as hereditary criminals. After Independence, based on the recommendations of the Ayyangar Committee, this stigma was removed on August 31, 1952. Therefore, August 31 is observed as Vimukti Diwas (Liberation Day).
Government Working on the Principle of Antyodaya
The Chief Minister said that the lives of Baba Makhan Shah and Baba Lakhi Shah convey the message of service, equality and dedication. Inspired by the same spirit, the state government is working on the principle of Antyodaya. He said that through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (Family Identity Card), every family has been given a unique identity.
Under the Chief Minister Urban Housing Scheme, houses have been provided to 15,250 families in 14 cities. Under the Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme, 6,300 families have been allotted 100-square-yard plots along with Rs 1 lakh each for house construction. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, permanent houses have been provided to 1.56 lakh poor families. Under the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Housing Renovation Scheme, financial assistance has been increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 80,000, and so far 85,815 families have received assistance amounting to Rs 416 crore.
Shri Nayab Singh Saini further said that under the Chief Minister Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, more than 55,000 needy beneficiaries have been provided bank loans for self-employment. Through the Deendayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 2,800 crore has been extended to 74,245 families following the death of the family's earning member.
He added that 13.43 lakh families are receiving LPG cylinders at Rs 500 per month. Students are being provided free textbooks, uniforms and stationery up to Class XII. Along with free coaching for competitive examinations, annual scholarships ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 are being provided under the Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Scholarship Scheme.
The Chief Minister said the objective of all these schemes is to provide equal opportunities to every citizen. He urged people to adopt the values of service, honesty, dedication and sacrifice exemplified by Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara and contribute to taking Haryana to new heights by following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas."
He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's global stature has risen significantly. Today, India is respected across the world, and even powerful nations such as the United States and Russia look at India with admiration. He said the country is steadily moving towards becoming a Developed India, and this transformation has been made possible due to the Prime Minister's determination and vision. The country remains the same, and the officials are the same, but Prime Minister Modi has transformed governance by bringing about systemic changes through a new way of working.
Among those present on the occasion were Banjara community priest Hukam Singh, Director General of the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department K.M. Pandurang, State President Subedar Major Kishori Lal, DNT Board Chairman Sardar Jasmer Singh Banjara, Chief Minister's OSD Bharat Bhushan Bharti, Vivek Kalia, General Secretary Pawan Kumar, Vice-President Subedar Jagdish Singh, Sonipat District President Davinder Singh, Chairman of the Baba Makhan Shah Labana Bhawan Society, Pehowa, Sardar Manjit Singh, Vice-Chairman Sardar Avtar Singh, Raghubir Singh Morthali, Sarpanch of Kalsa, Kurukshetra Sardar Amrik Singh, District Council Chairman Sardar Makhan Singh, along with distinguished members of the Labana and Banjara communities from across the state.