Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav; The Veer Kunwar Singh Story.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday 23 April, visited Jagdishpur Bhojpur Bihar, to commemorate the victory of freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh in the district. The event was organized as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrating 75 years of independence. 

Veer Kunwar Singh is an Indian freedom fighter, who took on Britishers in his old age of 80s. He is known for his gorilla warfare and his revolt against British. The date of 23 April is important, as troops led by him defeated the British near Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh on this day.  Kunwar Singh while crossing river Ganga on his return to Jagdishpur, Bihar was shot in his left wrist. The zamindar making an invaluable contribution, cut his hand off and offered it to holy Ganges, it is documented. The freedom fighter passed away on 26^th April 1858. The government of India to commemorate his freedom struggle released a stamp in 1966.

The event was also a show of strength by BJP as it was witnessed by a record number of people. The victory celebration at Jagidishpur Bihar saw breaking of an 80 year Pakistan record of hoisting the highest number of flags together. More than 75 thousand people hoisted the national flag on the occasion, the previous record held by Pakistan had 57 thousand people.

BJP is the second-largest party in Bihar after RJD. However, its performance in the region was dismal in the assembly elections as it managed to win only two out of 15 seats it contested. The party aims to make inroads into the vote share of left parties who have represented the region longer in the assembly.

The RJD (Rashtriya Janta Dal) has called the waving of flag an overdose of nationalism adding that the freedom fighter belongs to all each Bihari and Indian, in a quote to the Indian Express.