Pawan Yadav | Yamunanagar26 minutes ago
In Gumthala Rao village of Yamunanagar, Haryana, a temple stands unlike any other. Instead of idols of gods and goddesses, its premises feature statues and portraits of freedom fighters and martyrs, including Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Known as the Inquilab Temple, the site also has a room displaying portraits of around 250 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom.
Government school runs among statues of freedom fighters
The temple premises also house a government primary school, where 28 children currently study. Every morning before classes begin, the students pay tribute to the martyrs whose statues and portraits surround their school.
17-year-old inspired by ‘Shaheed’ to build temple
The idea for the temple emerged in September 2000, when 17-year-old Varyam Singh watched Manoj Kumar’s film ‘Shaheed’. The film prompted him to question why there was no dedicated place to honour revolutionaries who had sacrificed their lives for the country.
His initiative began with a paper portrait of Bhagat Singh installed on the revolutionary’s birth anniversary. A statue was later erected at the site. When it was damaged, Singh had it rebuilt and continued adding statues and portraits of other martyrs.
Over the years, the site evolved into a unique combination of an Inquilab Temple, Shaheed Smarak and government primary school.
First look at these two pictures
In Inquilab Temple, besides Bhagat Singh, pictures of Subhash Chandra Bose, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Chandrashekhar Azad are also displayed.
The temple is maintained by Inquilab Shaheed Smarak Charitable Trust. Its founder is Advocate Varyam Singh.
Temple began on vacant panchayat land in border village
Advocate Varyam Singh, founder of the Inquilab Shaheed Smarak Charitable Trust said, “Gumthala Rao has a population of around 300 and lies in a border area, about 2-3 km from neighbouring villages. One side of the temple is in Yamunanagar, while its rear side borders Kurukshetra and Karnal.”
The land on which the temple stands was neither purchased nor donated. According to Singh, “The initiative began on vacant panchayat land that had been encroached upon.”
He added, “I had initially approached the gram panchayat seeking only enough space to place a cot, locally known as a manji.”
Government primary school started on premises in 2004
Singh said, “As the area was gradually cleaned, the premises expanded over time. In 2004, the gram panchayat started a government primary school at the site.”
He added, “By 2014, the available space was no longer sufficient for both the temple and school. A request was subsequently made to the Haryana government for additional land.”
He further said, “The government then formed the Inquilab Shaheed Smarak Charitable Trust and allotted one acre for the expansion of the temple.”
28 children from different communities study here
The school currently has 28 students from different communities, including Sikh and Muslim children. The Tricolour is also hoisted at the premises every year on August 15.
Temple founder Varyam Singh giving information.
‘We do not accept donations for temple maintenance’
Varyam Singh said, “Flowers and plants have been grown across the premises, allowing devotees to pluck flowers and offer them to the martyrs. The temple does not accept donations or contributions for its maintenance.”
He said, “If honouring martyrs also becomes dependent on donations, it cannot be called true patriotism. The Inquilab Mandir team covers the cost of maintaining the temple and the wider premises from its personal funds.”
Memorial has received government grant for only one room
Singh said, “The government has so far provided a grant only for the construction of one room. Despite the memorial remaining in the public spotlight, it does not receive any regular government funding for maintenance.”
He argued, “Martyrs belong to the entire nation and not to any particular caste or community, and urged the Haryana government to take the Inquilab Mandir and its role in preserving the memory of freedom fighters more seriously.”
28 children study in the government primary school.
Children’s park near school lies overgrown despite swings, machines
Varyam Singh said, “A small park was also developed near the school for children, with swings and exercise equipment installed for their use.”
He added, “However, the facilities are now seeing limited use. Several exercise machines have started rusting, while some are almost hidden beneath grass and weeds.”
Cleaning was stopped temporarily to keep animals away
Singh said, “Villagers had started bringing their animals to graze in the park in recent months, leaving the premises dirty. To discourage them from entering, cleaning was deliberately stopped for some time so that the grass would grow and animal owners would avoid the area.”
He added, “The park and surrounding premises have recently been cleaned using chemical spraying.”
Varyam Singh mentioned that there were swings installed in the park built in the premises, but they have rusted.
‘The statues and Tricolour awakened a sense of pride’
School in-charge Master Saleem said, “I was posted to the school only a few months ago. Seeing the statues of freedom fighters and the national flag on the premises gave him a strong sense of pride and renewed enthusiasm.”
He said, “I feel proud to come to a place where the memory of the martyrs is kept alive every day. The atmosphere also appears to be influencing the students.”
While children visiting from outside sometimes walk past the statues without much notice, school students greet the martyrs with folded hands and say ‘Jai Hind’ as soon as they enter the premises.
There is only one teacher, Salim, in the school. He mentioned that when he is unwell or takes leave, the children’s school has to be closed as well.
One teacher runs school as parents fear disruption to children’s studies
Master Saleem said, “When I joined the school, some parents told me they would shift their children to another school if I leave after a short stint.”
To address their concerns, he called a meeting of the School Management Committee (SMC) and assured the parents that he would continue teaching at the school.
At present, however, the school has only one teacher. Whenever Saleem is on leave or unwell, classes have to be suspended for the children.
Neighbouring school to provide teacher during leave
Varyam Singh said, “The issue was recently discussed with the principal of the Government Primary School in neighbouring Gumthala village, who oversees both schools.”
The principal has assured that a teacher from the Gumthala school will be sent to the Inquilab Temple school whenever Saleem is on leave, provided prior information is given. The Gumthala school currently has seven to eight teachers.
