Bolte Dheere Hain, Lekin Kaam Tez Karte Hain’, Amit Shah Praises Haryana  CM Nayab Singh Saini’s Style of Governance

BJP Will Fulfil Every Sankalp and Guarantee Before Seeking Votes in Haryana in 2029: Union Home Minister

Amit Shah Inaugurates Azadi ki Pehli Ladai (1857) ka Shaheed Smarak in Ambala, Pays Tribute to Heroes of First War of Independence

22-Acre Shaheed Smarak Features 23 Galleries, Modern Exhibits and 2,500-Seat Open-Air Theatre

Union Home Minister Also Inaugurates Rs 1,260 Crore Jalbera–Shahabad Section of NH-152G

Chandigarh,

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Sh. Amit Shah on Thursday praised Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for his ability to get things done swiftly despite his soft-spoken demeanour, and asserted that the BJP would seek votes in the state in 2029 only after fulfilling all its Sankalps and guarantees. ‘Bolte dheere hain,  lekin kaam tez karte hain’, Sh. Amit Shah remarked while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Azadi ki Pehli Ladai (1857) ka Shaheed Smarak in Ambala. Describing Sh. Nayab Singh Saini as a Chief Minister who delivers results quickly,  the Union Home Minister said, the BJP would return to the people of Haryana in 2029 having honoured all its Sankalps.

On this occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, Cabinet Minister Sh. Anil Vij, BJP Prabhari (Haryana) Smt. Smriti Irani, and BJP State President Dr. Archana Gupta were also present. Paying tribute to the heroes of India's First War of Independence, the Union Home Minister said Ambala held a special place in the country's freedom struggle. It was here, on May 10, 1857, that revolutionaries sounded the call against British rule, sparking an uprising that swept across the country and shook the foundations of the British Empire. The uprising had stunned the world by challenging an empire on which the sun was said never to set, he said, paying homage to Ambala's historic soil.

1857 Was a War of Independence, Not a Revolt: Amit Shah

The Union Home Minister criticised historians influenced by British colonial thinking and Left-wing ideology for describing the events of 1857 as a revolt rather than a struggle for freedom. Referring to Veer Savarkar's interpretation, he said the term 'revolt' reflected the British perspective, while for Indians the uprising was a war of independence. Sh. Amit Shah said the 90-year struggle from 1857 to 1947 had been marked by the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters. Their sacrifices had laid the foundation for India's aspiration to become a developed nation under Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi.

Recalling the extraordinary courage of Babu Kunwar Singh, he said the freedom fighter had confronted British forces at the age of 87. When a bullet struck his left arm, he severed the injured arm with his right hand and continued the struggle, ultimately making the supreme sacrifice. His courage, he said, reflected the extraordinary spirit of sacrifice that defined India's freedom struggle. 

The Union Home Minister said a nation that failed to recognise the price of its freedom and honour those who had sacrificed their lives for it could never achieve lasting progress. The stories of the martyrs, he said, deserved to be preserved in golden letters in the country's history. He expressed confidence that Azadi ki Pehli Ladai (1857) ka Shaheed Smarak would become a major centre of patriotic inspiration for young people across India. Sh. Amit Shah appreciated the efforts of former Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini and Cabinet Minister Sh. Anil Vij in bringing the project to completion.

22-Acre Shaheed Smarak Brings the History of 1857 to Life

The Union Home Minister said the Shaheed Smarak, spread across 22 acres, featured 23 galleries chronicling the events and sacrifices of the 1857 uprising. The complex uses holography, interactive projections and historical exhibits to recreate key episodes of the freedom struggle. It also showcases Haryana's traditional arts and crafts, including Phulkari and Sarkanda craftsmanship. A 2,500-seat open-air theatre and a light-and-sound show offer visitors an immersive experience of the historic uprising. Sh. Amit Shah urged youth from across the country to visit the Shaheed Smarak, learn about the sacrifices that secured India's freedom and pay tribute to the martyrs.

 Haryana's Legacy of Valour and Contribution to Nation-Building

Referring to Haryana's historical and cultural heritage, Sh. Amit Shah recalled its association with the ancient Saraswati River, the composition of the Vedas and Lord Shri Krishna's message of the Bhagavad Gita. He also highlighted Maharaja Agrasen's contribution to Indian administrative thought and the role of Raja Nahar Singh and Rao Tula Ram in the freedom struggle. The state's tradition of valour continued through its contribution to the armed forces, he said, asserting that Haryana accounted for the highest number of soldiers serving the country. He also praised Haryana's achievements in sports, saying its athletes consistently made a leading contribution to India's medal tally.

Haryana's farmers had played a vital role in strengthening India's food security by filling the nation's granaries when the country was striving for self-sufficiency. The state had also made a significant contribution to the White Revolution, he added. On the occasion, the Union Home Minister also inaugurated the Jalbera–Shahabad section of National Highway 152G, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,260 crore.

Haryana Has Undergone Major Transformation in 12 Years: Amit Shah

Referring to Haryana's completion of 60 years, Sh. Amit Shah said the people of the state had placed their trust in Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and the BJP for 12 of those years. He credited former Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini with bringing about major changes in governance and development during this period. Highlighting the state's achievements, he said Haryana had become the first smoke-free state, with cooking gas cylinders reaching every household.

He also cited the procurement of all crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), Haryana becoming the first state to implement the three new criminal laws, the introduction of India's first hydrogen-powered train and the development of an elevated railway track among its pioneering initiatives. Sh. Amit Shah said the BJP government had ended what he described as the transfer industry through an online transfer policy, bringing transparency to administrative postings. Other major initiatives included 50 percent representation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions, Lal Dora-free villages and the introduction of the Parivar Pehchan Patra system. He said Haryana  is the only state where villages were now free from Lal Dora restrictions.

 Amit Shah Takes Dig at Rahul Gandhi Over MSP Guarantee in Punjab

Turning to Punjab, Sh. Amit Shah took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price, saying farmers continued to raise the issue during his visits to the state as part of the campaign against drug abuse. In a sarcastic remark, he said Rahul Gandhi had handed farmers a ‘jhunjhuna’ (a rattle) to keep them occupied, rather than an MSP guarantee. The Union Home Minister said that if a BJP-NDA government is formed in Punjab, farmers would no longer have to carry placards demanding an MSP guarantee. He added that Haryana had also intensified its efforts against drug abuse and is determined to make the state drug-free.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, Cabinet Ministers Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, Sh. Vipul Goel, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, Sh. Krishan Bedi, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, Ms. Aarti Rao, Minister of State Sh. Gaurav Gautam, and Deputy Speaker Dr. Krishan Middha, along with Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and senior officers, were also present on this occasion.