Village unfurls national flag for the first time

A village in Haryana’s Bhiwani districts unfurled the national flag for the first time in 70-years after the independence.

Never before had the village celebrated Independence Day. The place dubbed as ‘village of rebels’ had vowed not to celebrate Independence Day as a mark of protest.

On Wednesday though, a native of village and Chennai girl, Anamika, unfurled the national flag for the first time in her village Rohnat ending the decades-long vow.

Anamika, who has an MTech degree and works in Chennai in the income tax department, was asked to do the honours since she is the most educated among the lot. She said all her life she only saw and read about Independence Day fervour, but all that was missing in her village.

The British regime had auctioned the village entire land to outsiders and natives of the village remained deprived of their land even after the British left India, which is why they never celebrated Independence Day in 70-years. This time they did, but on the assurance of Haryana CM ML Khattar who visited the village a few months ago and promised concrete steps.

The British had labelled Rohnat as a ‘village of rebels’ for their role in the revolt of 1857. It is believed that in May 1857, forefathers from Rohnat broke into the Hisar jail and freed freedom fighters who were incarcerated for opposing the British. Some British officers were killed at Hansi which led the British to unleash a reign of terror. Natives in large numbers were killed, maimed and many hung by trees and run over a road roller on the road in the town.

Nearly 21000 acres of their land was auctioned to outsiders by the British to teach this village a lesson. The villagers tried to get back their land after India got freedom, but till date they are struggling. Officials say the agriculture land that was auctioned could not be returned owing to legal complexities.