Congress taught the people the wrong story by claiming that the country only became independent thanks to contributions from Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Saturday.

Addressing a rally in Baroda Aheer, the birthplace of tribal revolutionary Tantya Bhil aka Tantya mama to mark the launch of Gaurav Kalash Yatra, Chouhan said, “We were not taught the right story. We were told that only Mahatma Gandhi ji, Nehru and Indiraji obtained independence for us. I greet Mahatma Gandhi. He is a vishwa bandhu (universal brother) but Congress has taught us the wrong story. ”

He said that the lives and roles of revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for the country such as Tantya mama, Rani Laxmibai, Nana Saheb Peshwa, Bhima Nayak, Raghunath Shah, Shankar Shah, Birsa Munda and several others have never been taught to the people.

Chouhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas” to mark the birthday of Birsa Munda, a tribal icon. He said Tantya mama fought against exploitation by money lenders and led an armed battle against the British.

Tantya mama used to plunder the treasuries of the British government and distribute the wealth among the poor, the chief minister said. Tantya mama was caught by deception and hanged by the British in Jabalpur prison, he said, adding that the BJP government will teach the good story of Tantya mama.

Chouhan said it was painful that Congress appointed a tribal university in the name of (ex-prime minister) Indira Gandhi and not after revolutionaries from tribal communities.

“They (Congress) glorified only one family while the rest of the martyrs were forgotten. But we (BJP) are correcting this historic mistake, ”he said.

On the occasion, the CM honored the descendants of Tantya Bhil and also announced the installation of the statue of Bhil.

Gaurav Kalash Yatra will conclude on December 4, the day of Tantya Bhil’s martyrdom, in Patalpani after passing through various MP quarters.