Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday paid floral tribute to the state’s first Chief Minister and freedom fighter Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on his 139th birth anniversary, recalling his contributions to the freedom struggle, governance and social reforms.
Speaking at an event organised to mark Pant’s birth anniversary, Adityanath described him as a prominent lawyer and freedom fighter who played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence.
“On this occasion, on behalf of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the revered people of Uttar Pradesh, I pay homage to the memories of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant ji on the occasion of his auspicious birth anniversary, and offer my humble tributes,” the Chief Minister said.
Govind Ballabh Pant was the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and served from 1950 to 1954. A prominent leader of the Indian freedom movement, Pant played an important role in the political and administrative development of the state after Independence. He later served as Union Home Minister from 1955 until his death in 1961.
Recalling Pant’s role in the Kakori case, Adityanath said that in 1925, he strongly defended revolutionaries facing a case filed by the British government following the Kakori Train Action.
Pant actively participated in the freedom movement and resigned as the Premier of Uttar Pradesh after being elected to the post in 1937, choosing to join the struggle against British rule, Adityanath said.
“Whether it was the Quit India Movement or other major agitations from time to time for the freedom struggle, he actively took part in them,” he said.
The Chief Minister highlighted Pant’s role after Independence, noting that he became the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1947, when present-day Uttarakhand was also part of the state.
“As the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh… he initiated efforts to present the governance of such a large state as a model of good governance, foster its economic development, and work for the welfare of every section of society,” Adityanath said.
He also recalled Pant’s contribution to land reforms and described the model introduced during his tenure as exemplary.
Pant later served as Union Home Minister from 1954, where he worked to address linguistic conflicts and played an important role in establishing Hindi as the official language, Adityanath said.
“On this occasion, on behalf of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the people of Uttar Pradesh, I pay homage to his memory and offer my humble tributes,” the Chief Minister said.
(ANI Inputs)
