How Complicated is to Build Indian History -‘Dictionary of Martyrs Book’

History is always complicated. Especially the history of an ancient civilizational country like India, it is more debated. The available Indian history is majorly recorded and organized by Britishers.

To change this, The Ministry of Culture has decided to take up a fresh start and approach the history records. Regarding this, Project for Compilation of “Dictionary of Martyrs” of India’s Freedom Struggle-1857 was assigned to the Indian Council of Historical Research.

It was specifically planned for release at the 150th anniversary of the uprising of 1857. The Dictionary was officially released on 07 March 2019.

This Dictionary of Martyrs of India’s Freedom Struggle contains an account of the “martyrs” from India’s First War of Independence in 1857 to India’s Independence in 1947.

Proud Initiative of History Accounts – Prime Minister:

In the PM speech on the release of the book ( 7-03-2019).

“A nation that does not honor and remembers those who created, or are an important part, of its history, often does not have a secure future. In that sense, he added that this effort is not just a way to cherish the past, but is also a way to secure the future. He said that youth should especially be made aware of this effort.”

Prime Minister Modi Ji has also assured that it’s the first kind of initiative in this arena.

The Project on Dictionary of Martyrs:

Firstly, it states the definition of a martyr as- “a person who died or who was killed in action or in detention, or was awarded capital punishment while participating in the national movement for the emancipation of India.”

This book includes various national movement events like the 1857 Uprising, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919), Non-cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) until Royal Indian Navy Upsurge to freedom act.

Volumes and the controversy:

On whole, Information of about 13,500 martyrs has been recorded in a total of 5 volumes.

The five volumes are divided regionally or geographically not on chronology. The first volume consists of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, etc. while the second volume consists of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu, and Kashmir, etc.

Specifically, volume 5 is in controversy, which consists of the southern states Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, etc. The controversy is tangled from various angles. Majorly on specific words used, then the names added or missing, and specifically Mappila or rebellion issue.

The Malabar Rebellion Controversy:

Malabar or Mappila’s rebellion was having a perspective approach from different people for decades.

Malabar rebellion took place in the Malabar region in 1921, which turns 100 years in 2021.

It is a rebellion of Muslim Mappila peasants against landlords who were Hindu, Brahmans. It was a period of the khilafat movement where Gandhiji gave a call for the Non-cooperation movement.

All over the country rebellions were raised against Britishers and landlords. As here the landlords were Hindus, it is seen as a communal rebellion than a peasant movement by some section of people.

Movie on Haji:

The issue started when Director Aashiq Abu from Kerala announced a film on Haji with actor Prithviraj in Lead. Later, Filmmakers PT Kanju Muhammad, Ibrahim Vergara, and Ali Akbar also announced films on Haji.

This announcement was provoked by the right-wing groups in Kerala such as Hindu Aikya Vedi. Who made open statements objecting to the inclusion of Malabar Rebellion leaders Variamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji and Ali Musaliar as freedom fighters.

Now, the discussion of whether he is a freedom fighter or not started more rigorously leading to controversies.

Who is Haji :

Haji was a freedom fighter from Malabar who played a crucial role in the Malabar Rebellion against the British and was shot dead by them in 1921.
But as the movement had many Hindu landlords also killed, it is taken as communal and he is not considered as a martyr.

Removing the names from the book – Dictionary of Martyrs:

On widespread protests and requests have erupted from right-wingers. To remove the names of Malabar rebellion fighters from the book, then the issue took a different turn.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan affirmed that Haji was a warrior who led a brave battle against the British.

Removal of the book from Website:

To the surprise, the book was removed from the website of the Union Ministry of Culture in response to protests.
With regarding the removal of the book, ICHR officials have informed to New Indian Express that ‘it was done to “rectify the mistakes in the dictionary”, and that it will be reprinted soon’

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So, Finally, the book is removed, whether the names are going to stay or removed or any other names being added is yet to be clarified.

Waiting for a Solution in parliament Session:

Most of the Kerala MPs across different parties announced to raise the issue during the monsoon session of Parliament.
MP Binoy Viswam brought up the matter during a meeting of 25 MPs. Later it is assured that all parliamentarians would fight back the “saffronisation of history books”.

Further, MP Binoy Viswam had written a letter to PM :

In his “Based on a 2016 report submitted to the ICHR by politically motivated individuals calling for the exclusion of Communist and Muslim martyrs, the ICHR’s actions are deeply worrying and must be stopped immediately.”

Another controversy on this book:

Should the terms Shaheed and Martyr be used for Indian soldiers killed in battle?
As they both are religious terms. The title of the book itself is debated. There is a widespread analysis of religious angles to specific words like even azaad or shaheed.

There is a dissatisfied response from the right-wing people with the usage of these words.

Like, “There is no term as ‘martyr’ or ‘shaheed’ in the Army or the police,” tweeted the BJP’s head of social media. “Instead a soldier or a policeman killed in action is called a ‘battle casualty’ or ‘operations casualty’ respectively”.

For Britishers, it might have been fairly easy to build Indian history. But for India right now it is exclusively difficult to construct history satisfying all sections of people.
It should be a collective inclusive approach rather than associated with a purpose.