Himachal Assembly Backs Move to Recognise Ram Singh Pathania as a Freedom Fighter

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a Private Member’s Resolution seeking formal recognition of Ram Singh Pathania as a freedom fighter, underscoring his leadership in the 1848 armed rebellion against British rule—nearly a decade before the 1857 uprising. Legislators from both the Congress and the BJP supported the proposal, urging the Centre to acknowledge Pathania’s pioneering role in India’s earliest organised resistance to colonial authority.

Ram Singh Pathania is widely regarded as a significant yet overlooked figure in India’s early armed struggle for freedom. Leading the 1848 revolt, he emerged as a powerful symbol of defiance from the hills of Himachal Pradesh.

The resolution was jointly moved by Congress MLAs Keval Singh Pathania and Bhawani Singh Pathania, who stressed that Ram Singh Pathania deserved recognition among the earliest leaders of India’s freedom movement. “This House should consider declaring Ram Singh Pathania ji as one of the country’s earliest freedom fighters and recommend the same to the state and central governments,” they said.

A detailed discussion followed, with members across party lines emphasising the historical importance of Pathania’s campaign against the British in the mid-19th century. BJP MLAs Ranbir Singh Nikka and Dr. Janak Raj, along with Congress MLA Sanjay Rattan, noted that while national icons have been duly honoured, many notable regional heroes—such as Pathania—remain missing from mainstream historical narratives.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan welcomed the resolution, acknowledging that Pathania’s contributions had long been overlooked. “Ram Singh Pathania was among the great heroes of our state who made significant contributions to the struggle against British rule,” he said. Chauhan informed the House that the Nurpur Rajput Sabha had raised this issue before the state government in 2019. Following a preliminary review of the available records, the matter had been forwarded to the Centre, but a response is still awaited.

He added that historical evidence shows Pathania led several critical campaigns that challenged British authority, earning him a rightful place among the earliest leaders of organised resistance. Chauhan assured the Assembly that the state government is committed to securing due recognition for such forgotten figures. “His sacrifice and contribution will always remain an integral part of our state and national history,” he said.

The minister announced that the General Administration Department will be instructed to re-examine the proposal and initiate the necessary process. This will include reviewing archival material, consulting historians, and assessing eligibility criteria for conferring freedom fighter status. If amendments to existing rules are required, the government will fully support such changes.

Chauhan further stated that the Department of Language, Art and Culture will work to document and publicise the contributions of Pathania and other under-recognised heroes, ensuring that historical omissions are addressed and future generations understand their sacrifices.