Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on his birth anniversary.
About Govind Ballabh Pant:
- Govind Ballabh Pant (10 September 1887 – 7 March 1961) was a renowned Indian freedom fighter and statesman.
- He served as the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and later as Union Home Minister.
- He received the Bharat Ratna in 1957 for his exceptional service to the nation.
Early Life:
- Pant was born in Almora, Uttarakhand. He began his political involvement early, serving as a volunteer for the Indian National Congress when he was just 18.
- Influenced by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Madan Mohan Malaviya, Pant pursued law, establishing a reputation as a reformist lawyer.
- In 1916, he founded the Kumaon Parishad to advocate for regional issues and later established the Prem Sabha in Kashipur to support social reforms.
Key Contributions:
- Played a significant role in the Salt March (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942), leading to his imprisonment multiple times.
- Fought against the Zamindari system and worked to lower agricultural taxes for farmers.
- Advocated for Hindi as an official language and championed the linguistic reorganization of states during his tenure as Home Minister (1955–1961).
- Opposed the idea of separate electorates for minorities, believing it would further divide Indian society.
- Instrumental in passing the Hindu Code Bill in Uttar Pradesh, which introduced reforms including compulsory monogamy for Hindu men.
Post-Independence
- After India gained independence, Pant became the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1946–1954).
- He focused on eradicating untouchability, uplifting farmers, and supporting cottage industries.
- After Sardar Patel’s death, Pant succeeded him as Union Home Minister. During his tenure, he worked on reorganizing states based on language and promoted Hindi as the national language.
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Frequently Asked Question:
Who was Govind Ballabh Pant?
Govind Ballabh Pant was an Indian freedom fighter, the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and a Union Home Minister.
Why did Govind Ballabh Pant oppose separate electorates for minorities?
Pant believed separate electorates would further divide Indian society and hamper national unity.
What was the Salt March, and why was it significant?
The Salt March, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, was a nonviolent protest against British salt laws and a key event in India’s freedom struggle.
What reforms were introduced by the Hindu Code Bill?
The Hindu Code Bill introduced reforms like monogamy, inheritance rights for women, and divorce rights for Hindus.