Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-feet-tall statue of peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram and laid the foundation stone of a rail coach refurbishing and rehabilitation factory in Haryana on Tuesday.

He also addressed a public meeting.

Praising Sir Chhotu Ram, the PM said that he was among those social reformers who played an important role in India’s development.

“Choudhary sahab would be very happy that a rail coach factory has been inaugurated today in Sonipat,” the PM said adding that the factory will help in the industrial development of Haryana.

The PM said that the pre-Independence champion of farmers had said that “farmer is also a symbol of poverty and a soldier who strengthens the fight against the British atrocity”.

“Whatever I have read about Sir Chhotu Ram, it will inspire everyone who wants to contribute towards the nation,” he said.

Crediting the visionary leadership of Sir Chhotu Ram, the PM said that at least one person from every village in Haryana is serving in the Indian Army today.

PM Modi said that his government is working tirelessly to provide farmers the right price for their produce, safety net against weather, modern seeds, urea and irrigation facilities.

After unveiling the statue at Sampla in Rohtak, Modi paid floral tribute to the peasant leader and visited a museum built in his memory. There, Modi watched a four-minute documentary on the life of Sir Chhotu Ram.

Born to Chaudhari Sukhiram Singh Ohlyan and Sarla Devi on 24 November 1881 in Sampla village, Sir Chhotu Ram eventually became one of the most prominent politicians in British India’s Punjab Province.

He was instrumental in the introduction of agrarian laws such as Punjab Relief Indebtedness Act of 1934 and the Punjab Debtor’s Protection Act of 1936.

A member of the Jat community, Sir Chhotu Ram was knighted in 1937. He passed away on 9 January 1945 in Lahore.

Renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan-recipient Ram Vanji Sutar sculpted the 64-foot-tall statue.

As many as 5,500 farmers of the state donated iron metal, ranging from from half-a-kg to two kgs for the construction of the statue.

The unveiling of the statue assumes significance as elections to Lok Sabha and Haryana Assembly are slated for early next year.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Birender Singh, Union Minister and maternal grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, were present at the event, besides state ministers Ram Bilas Sharma and Captain Abhimanyu, and Congress MP Deepender Hooda.