Delhi Govt marks Jhalkari Bai jayanti, celebrates legacy of SC, ST and OBC communities

Reaffirming the historic contributions of Dalit, OBC, SC/ST and other marginalised communities, the Delhi Government on Saturday celebrated the Jayanti of Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli Ji at a grand event organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Koli–Kori–Shankhwar Society in Nand Nagri.

Speaking at the ceremony, Delhi’s Minister for Social Welfare and SC/ST/OBC Welfare, Ravinder Indraj Singh, said the nation owes a profound debt to these communities for their enduring legacy of courage, wisdom, generosity and social reform.

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The minister emphasised that icons such as Maharishi Valmiki, Danveer Karna, Emperor Ashoka, Sant Ravidas, Sant Kabir, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Dr BR Ambedkar represent only a fraction of the extraordinary heritage of India’s marginalised sections.

He further said that Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli stands as one of the brightest symbols of this legacy—an embodiment of unparalleled bravery and unwavering patriotism.

Paying tribute to her valour, he recalled how Jhalkari Bai fought off a lion at the age of 14 and later became the shield of Rani Lakshmibai during the First War of Independence in 1857.

“Had Jhalkari Bai not been present in her era, the history of Jhansi and India’s resistance might have been entirely different,” he noted.

Singh announced that the Delhi Government will celebrate Jhalkari Bai Jayanti with grandeur every year and continue organising public service programmes on the Jayantis of all great leaders and Veeranganas.

He also revealed that Jhalkari Bai’s name has been newly added to the government’s Honour Roll of historically overlooked national contributors.

Earlier in the day, the minister distributed assistive devices to 160 senior citizens in Qutubgarh. The event saw the participation of several community leaders, representatives from various states and members of the Koli–Kori–Shankhwar community.