Odisha to Honor Youngest Freedom Fighter Baji Rout with State-Level Celebrations

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced today that the birth anniversary of Baji Rout, India’s youngest martyr, will be celebrated on a grand scale at the official level. The decision was revealed during the ‘Saheed Baji Rout Jayanti’ celebration held at Jaydev Bhawan, where Majhi underscored the unparalleled bravery and sacrifice of the 12-year-old boy who laid down his life during India’s freedom struggle.

In his address, the Chief Minister described Baji Rout as a symbol of defiance against British oppression, highlighting the pivotal role he played during the Praja Mandal Movement in 1938. Majhi recounted how Rout, a boatman’s son, heroically refused to allow British police forces to cross the Brahmani river in Odisha, despite their threats. His steadfastness cost him his life, as he was shot dead, making him the youngest martyr in India’s fight for independence.

“Baji Rout’s courage at such a young age is an inspiration not only for Odisha but for the entire nation,” said Majhi. He further noted that Rout’s martyrdom, along with the sacrifice of six others in the same incident, ignited a new wave of resistance against British rule in Odisha, strengthening the resolve of freedom fighters across the state.

Majhi also pointed out the significance of October in India’s history, as it marks the birth anniversaries of other great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. He urged for Baji Rout’s legacy to be celebrated at the national level, asserting that the young martyr’s story deserves to be recognized and remembered alongside other towering figures of India’s independence movement.

The event, organized by the Saheed Baji Rout Memorial Foundation, was attended by prominent leaders, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who praised the Chief Minister’s initiative to honor Rout’s sacrifice on a larger platform.