Vijayawada: A thought-provoking public meeting on the theme “Saffronization of Indian History – The Duty of Patriots” was held at the MBPKV Hall, where speakers highlighted the growing concerns over the distortion of India’s history and the responsibilities of citizens in safeguarding its authenticity.
The event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Ram Puniyani, a noted historian and social activist, delved into the issue of saffronization, which he defined as a deliberate attempt to rewrite and manipulate historical facts to serve a particular ideological narrative. He explained that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates have consistently worked towards fostering an agenda of hate and division through historical distortions. “Their objective is clear,” he said, “to replace the pluralistic and inclusive narrative of India’s history with one that glorifies a single dominant ideology, sidelining the contributions of various communities, particularly Muslims and other minorities, in the making of the nation.”
Dr. Puniyani stressed that such manipulation of history is not just an academic concern but a societal one, as it directly influences how future generations perceive India’s past. He called upon patriots and concerned citizens to stand against these divisive efforts and take up the responsibility of restoring history to its rightful place as a tool for learning, unity, and progress.
“Our duty,” he emphasized, “is to ensure that history promotes the welfare of all citizens and lays the foundation for a just and equitable society, rather than being used as a tool for fostering discord.”
KMA Subhan, the Andhra Pradesh state president of the Welfare Party of India, offered a compelling analogy, comparing history to clay.
“History is like a lump of clay,” he said. “It can be shaped into either a disfigured, distorted sculpture that represents a skewed version of the past, or it can be molded into a beautiful, accurate representation of our collective heritage.”
He urged the audience to be vigilant and proactive in resisting attempts to rewrite history for political gain and to actively participate in efforts to preserve the truth.
The public meeting also saw participation from other prominent figures, including P. Srinivas, Lakshman Rao, Maqbool, and Satyam, who echoed similar concerns. They underscored the importance of education in ensuring that the true essence of India’s history, which celebrates diversity and unity, is passed down to future generations. The speakers collectively emphasized that it is the duty of every patriot to oppose the saffronization of history and to work towards fostering an inclusive narrative that recognizes the contributions of all communities in shaping the nation.
The event concluded with a call to action, urging citizens to engage in more discussions, debates, and educational initiatives aimed at countering historical distortions and promoting the values of secularism, democracy, and unity that form the cornerstone of India’s identity.
