A delegation of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met Union Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal, on December 6, while demanding that the Government of India must immediately declare Paika Bidroha as the First War of Independence.
According to the official reports, they in an official letter to the Meghwal stated that “Paika Bidroha” also known as the Paika Rebellion took place in 1817, which was India’s first organized armed rebellion against the British raj. This was the First War of Independence for India which was 40 years before the revolt of 1857, which was later termed as the 1st War of Indian Independence against British Colonialism.
Further this battle was fought under the leadership of Baxi Jagabandhu of Odisha. The legend of the heroics of Baxi Jagabandhu as well as the valiant Paikas of Odisha continues to inspire the 4.5 crores Odias since the last two centuries.
The report further added that on 18th July 2017, the Odisha Cabinet of Ministers led by Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, passed a resolution to declare Paika Bidroha as First War of Independence.
On 19th July 2017, the Chief Minister wrote a letter to then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh requesting to declare Paika Bidroha as the first war of Independence.
