“India’s women power has never lagged behind in protecting the nation and its religion,” said Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday.
Speaking on the martyrdom day of Uda Devi Pasi, Rajnath Singh said, “Today, the doors of military schools are open to girls. Indian women are strengthening the nation’s security circle from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the ocean. More recently, during Operation Sindoor, women pilots and women soldiers played a crucial role in counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. I can say that every daughter of India can become Uda Devi to protect India’s honor and dignity.”
The defence minister, along with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, unveiled a 12-foot-tall and 6-ton statue ofUda Devi holding a gun at Pasi Square in Vrindavan Colony.
He said, “Uda Devi’s story illuminates the role of women in the freedom struggle. She reminds us that if women can use guns, fight in battle, and kill British soldiers, they are in no way inferior to men. Her sacrifice teaches us that true courage lies in standing firm against injustice, discrimination, and slavery.”
The brave woman, Uda Devi Pasi, was martyred during the 1857 War of Independence after killing 36 British soldiers in Lucknow’s Sikandar Bagh. Singh said, “When Uda Devi was martyred, British officers took off their hats and saluted her. This was a testament to her bravery. The Pasi community played a key role in the freedom movement. They sacrificed everything.”
The Lucknow MP on the occassion praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his dedication on development. He said, “I would like to thank CM Yogi for accomplishing what many people failed to do in so many years. I never imagined a Chief Minister who would care so much about society. Yogi ji has demonstrated this. Bringing to the forefront the suppressed heroes of society is no easy task.”
Both Deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan were present in the program.