Lucknow: The historical clock tower in Gorakhpur, which was constructed by social activists Seth Ram Khelawan and Thakur Prasad in 1930 in the memory of freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil, was painted in saffron on the orders of Yogi Adityanath’s government.
Ram Prasad Bismil, who is known for famous Kakori conspiracy case was hanged in Gorakhpur jail on December 16, 1927, after which his body was kept at the spot where people paid last respects to him. On August 29, 1859 freedom fighters including Hasan Ali were hanged from a tree, at the spot where the clock tower stands today.
One side, Gorakhpur has turned into red with number of children dying in hospitals has been increasing, and contrary to this BJP is busy in spreading its communal ideology by representing it through saffron colour.
In 2017 alone, as of September 2017, the number of children died in Gorakhpur hospital is 1,317.
After painting Chief Minister’s secretariat in saffron, the Right-wing party has turned its attention to saffronise the clock tower reflecting its divisive ideology. This 20-feet height structure has been painted with Rs 57,000 as per Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation (GMC) official’s statement. The tower is located next to the famous Jama Masjid in Urdu Bazaar and has been worked on tirelessly by half-a-dozen workers.
Additional municipal commissioner DK Singh has said that “There is no government order on painting of buildings in a particular colour. The decision to use saffron colour was taken unanimously by municipal authorities.”
However, the residents of Gorakhpur say that it was wrong to paint a building in a colour associated with any party.