Publication highlights historic movements for water and forest rights; leaders pay tribute to the legacy of the late author Ashish Singh
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 2,2026: Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh on Sunday unveiled Satyagraha, a book documenting the historic struggles for water and forest rights in Chhattisgarh during the freedom movement. The publication, authored by the late litterateur and journalist Ashish Singh, was released at a function organised by the Hari Thakur Memorial Institute at the Speaker’s residence-cum-office in Shankar Nagar.
The ceremony was presided over by Chhattisgarh Official Language Commission Chairman Prabhat Mishra. Among those present were State Policy Commission Vice-Chairman Ganesh Shankar Mishra, Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi Chairman Shashank Sharma, former Member of Parliament Chunnilal Sahu, and the late author’s sons, Upamanyu Singh and Abhimanyu Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Raman Singh said the book vividly portrays the non-violent movements launched by Chhattisgarh’s freedom fighters nearly a century ago to safeguard water and forest resources during British rule. He noted that the publication brings together significant episodes from Bastar, Rajnandgaon and the historic Kandel Canal Satyagraha in Dhamtari, highlighting the determination of people who fought to protect their natural resources and civil rights.
Recalling an important chapter in the state’s freedom movement, the Assembly Speaker said Mahatma Gandhi had visited Dhamtari in 1920 at the invitation of freedom fighter Babu Chhote Lal Srivastava in support of the Kandel Canal Satyagraha. He also paid tribute to prominent freedom fighters, including Tyagmurti Pyare Lal Singh, Hari Thakur and martyr Ramadhin Gond, whose contributions played a significant role in the region’s struggle for independence.
Addressing the gathering, State Policy Commission Vice-Chairman Ganesh Shankar Mishra said the book has been published to commemorate the centenary of Chhattisgarh’s historic movements for water and forest rights. He said the work offers a detailed account of key events and personalities associated with the freedom struggle, including the Kandel Canal Satyagraha, the contributions of Natthuji Jagtap, Narayan Rao Meghawale, Pandit Sundarlal Sharma and the sacrifice of martyr Ramadhin Gond.
He congratulated the Hari Thakur Memorial Institute for bringing the publication to readers and preserving an important chapter of the state’s historical legacy.
Chhattisgarh Official Language Commission Chairman Prabhat Mishra, Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi Chairman Shashank Sharma and noted litterateur Virendra Bahadur also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of documenting regional history and honouring the sacrifices of freedom fighters through literature.
