Lucknow— Senior BJP leader and former Acting Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Ammar Rizvi, has written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urging the reinstatement of the statue of renowned freedom fighter and social worker, the late Shri Jagannath Prasad Agrawal, popularly known as Jagan Babu, at its original location in Biswan, Sitapur.
Dr. Rizvi expressed deep anguish over the removal of the statue from the Biswan crossroads, calling it an act of disrespect towards one of the region’s most revered patriots. In his letter, he highlighted Jagan Babu’s immense contributions to India’s freedom movement, stating that he devoted his life to the cause of independence and endured repeated imprisonment and brutal torture under British rule. “The British police inflicted such severe physical suffering that his entire body trembled, and he eventually lost his hearing permanently,” Dr. Rizvi wrote.
The veteran leader further emphasized that Jagan Babu’s courage and sacrifice place him among the foremost freedom fighters not just of Uttar Pradesh, but of the entire nation. “It pains me to learn that his statue has been removed. His patriotism and sacrifice will forever remain an inspiration for generations to come,” Dr. Rizvi added.
Appealing to CM Adityanath, Dr. Rizvi noted that the Chief Minister has always shown great respect for the nation’s freedom fighters and martyrs by paying tributes and reinstalling their statues as symbols of inspiration for the youth. “On behalf of myself and the people of Sitapur, I request you to kindly issue orders to reinstall the statue of the late Jagan Babu at its original place with due honor,” he wrote.
Dr. Rizvi also reminded the Chief Minister that Jagan Babu was a grassroots leader deeply connected to the people, especially the poor and underprivileged. “He was a compassionate man who stood by the suffering. The removal of his statue has caused deep resentment among freedom fighter families and the people of Sitapur,” he stated.
The letter underscores a growing demand from locals and historians alike to restore Jagan Babu’s statue as a mark of gratitude and respect to one of the unsung heroes of India’s independence struggle.
