SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Jan 8: Chief Minister Hemant Soran on Saturday paid floral tributes to martyrs Sheikh Bhikhari and Tikait Umraon Singh on the occasion of their 164th martyrdom day at the Chief Minister’s residence in Kanke Road, Ranchi. The Chief Minister, on the occasion, said, ‘Their martyrdom is incomparable. It is the responsibility of all of us not to let their struggle, ideals, dedication and sacrifice go in vain.’
The Chief Minister said that Jharkhand is a state of great men, heroes and martyrs. “A strong society, state and country can be built only by following the ideals, dedication and path shown by these brave sons and by following in their footsteps,” he added.
Soren said that Amar Shaheed Sheikh Bhikhari and Tikait Umrao Singh, who were the heroes of the freedom struggle, played an important role in the independence of the country. ‘In the revolt of the year 1857 against British rule, these brave sons had become a pain in the necks for the British, showing their bravery and valour. The martyrdom of such brave sons can never be forgotten.’
On the occasion, Finance-cum-Food Supplies Minister and former State Congress Committee President Dr. Rameshwar Oraon paid homage to martyrs Sheikh Bhikhari and Tikait Umraon Singh at his residential office in Bariatu. On the occasion, senior leaders Alok Kumar Dubey, Lal Kishore Nath Shahdev along with Dr Rajesh Gupta paid floral tributes to them to the martyrs.
Dr. Oraon said that among those who dedicated their lives Sheikh Bhikhari and Tikait Umrao are prominent. He said the Soren government is continuously working towards providing the families of martyrs justice. ‘We salute those martyrs and convey their ideals and values to the younger generations so that their sacrifice can be remembered.
State Congress Delegate Alok Kumar Dubey, Lal Kishore Shahdev and Dr. Rajesh Gupta said that the brave warriors of Jharkhand, Tikait Umrao Singh and Sheikh Bhikhari sacrificed their lives for the country on this day, their bravery and valor helped in the country’s long battle for independence. The country can never forget their contribution.
Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth on the occasion said that under the rule of the BJP, the ray of development has reached their villages. There has been all-round development. We are all free today because of these martyrs. The sacrifice of martyr Tikait Umraon and Sheikh Bhikhari can never be forgotten. MP Sanjay Seth paid floral tributes to Shaheed Tikait Umrao Singh and Sheikh Bhikhari.
Meanwhile, in the ancestral village of Shaheed Sheikh Bhikhari, his descendants are living a lamentable life. They support their families by earning wages, carrying coal and driving auto rickshaws. The descendants are remembered once a year and given blankets on Bhikhari’s martyrdom day.
His village Khudia Lotwa was declared a model village by the government in 2011, but no one has yet taken the initiative to take care of the descendants. The descendants of Shaheed Sheikh Bhikhari, Sheikh Qurban, Sheikh Sher Ali, Sheikh Mustakeem and Sheikh Umar said that they are proud of belonging to the family of such a martyr. On January 8, leaders arrive and leave with only assurances.
Bharat Bhushan Singh, the great-grandson of Shaheed Tikait Umrao Singh, said that the three brothers Bhaju Singh, Rajendra Singh and Bharat Bhushan Singh had received the Indira residence in 1997-98, which has become dilapidated now. The head of the family, Bhaju Singh is 65 years old, but he does not even get an old-age pension. The new generation is compelled to work as labourers even despite being graduates.
