If Mahatma Gandhi had gone on a hunger strike for Bhagat Singh, he could have seen independent India’s light: Anil Vij

AMBALA: Haryana’s energy, transport, and labor minister, Anil Vij, on Sunday paid homage to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh on the occasion of his martyrdom day, calling on citizens to continue the revolutionary’s legacy by eradicating corruption and inefficiency from the nation.
Speaking at a commemorative event at the civil secretariat in Ambala Cantonment, Vij reflected on a thought that often resonates with him. “Mahatma Gandhi led several hunger strikes during the freedom struggle. Had he gone on one hunger strike for Bhagat Singh, perhaps Shaheed-e-Azam would have witnessed an independent India,” he said.
During the event, Vij honoured Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, raising slogans of "Hindustan Zindabad" and "Inquilab Zindabad," as he urged people to draw inspiration from their sacrifice.
Vij emphasized that true tribute to India’s martyrs lies in following their ideals and addressing the nation’s internal challenges. “The British may have left, but enemies like corruption, inefficiency, and irresponsibility remain. We must continue Bhagat Singh’s fight by eliminating these evils,” he said. He underscored that ending corruption is key to unlocking India’s full potential. “If we free ourselves from the demon of corruption, the country will progress a hundredfold,” he remarked.
Vij highlighted how corruption historically undermined India’s development, recalling former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s statement that only Rs 15 out of every Rs 100 allocated for public welfare reached the people. “Today, under the BJP government, every rupee reaches the intended beneficiaries,” he asserted.
Vij spoke about his personal efforts to ensure Ambala Cantonment remembers its heroes. “Statues of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Subhas Park, Shaheed Bhagat Singh at the Mini Secretariat, and a memorial for the 1857 martyrs at GT Road now stand tall. These monuments will inspire generations to come,” he added.
To invoke patriotic fervor, Vij sang the song, "Tu na rona ki tu hai Bhagat Singh ki maa, Mar ke bhi lal tera marega nahi…", drawing loud applause from the audience. He also praised young Aarav Nanda for performing a song on Bhagat Singh’s life and awarded him Rs 21,000 from his discretionary fund.
Vij narrated the life and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, from his birth in 1907 to his role in avenging Lala Lajpat Rai’s death and the bombing of the British Parliament to shake the conscience of the nation. He emphasized Bhagat Singh’s resolve to embrace martyrdom alongside Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931.
“Bhagat Singh wanted India’s youth to rise, and they did. His sacrifice paved the way for India’s freedom. Today, we salute him and all who gave their lives for the nation,” Vij concluded.
Ambala Cantonment SDM Vinesh Kumar, RTA Sushil Kumar, and BJP leaders Harsh Bindra, Mohit Kaushik, Sanjeev Soni, Kiran Pal Chauhan, among others, were present on the occasion.

Anil Vij has allocated Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary fund for the installation of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Ambala Cantonment.
Minister Vij has directed the municipal council (MC) officials to identify a suitable location for the installation of the statue. Once a location is finalized, the MC will proceed with setting up the monument in the coming days.

Anil Vij on Sunday issued a sharp condemnation following the vandalism of Himachal Pradesh buses in Amritsar, calling the act a direct assault on India’s federal structure.
"This is unacceptable," Vij said while addressing the media. "An attempt is being made to weaken the spirit of federalism that binds this nation. Every inch of this land belongs to all Indians – there should be no Punjab or Himachal division. These acts are being carried out by those who wish to disrupt the peace and unity of our country."
Vij also took the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on the Congress party. Reacting to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark that *‘Make in India focuses more on promotion than delivery,’* Vij responded, “Congress built a legacy of promoting without delivering. Under Prime Minister Modi, delivery comes first, and promotion follows. The Congress misled the nation for decades, while the current government is showcasing actual results. If Kharge is uncomfortable with these achievements, that’s his problem.”
Commenting on a controversial statement by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman, who drew a divisive historical comparison, Vij said, “Our opposition always glorifies invaders, ignoring heroes like Maharana Pratap or Shivaji. There are black sheep everywhere, but we should never choose them as role models. Our land is full of true icons.”
Vij further added, “Ram and Krishna are our ideals, as are the sages who enlightened the world. We have a wealth of inspiration rooted within our own history and traditions. Sadly, many continue to search for role models outside our rich cultural legacy.”
Taking a swipe at Congress over financial mismanagement in Himachal Pradesh, Vij referenced a viral video showing the Himachal Chief Minister looking worried while a minister laughed beside him. “This is Congress’s governance model on full display. Salaries were never delayed in Himachal earlier, but after Congress came to power, the treasury ran dry. Congress has a history of draining public funds, and the current situation in Himachal is proof,” he said.