India, Nov. 16 -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday blamed Marxist historians and the previous governments for deliberately neglecting contributions of Dalit and the tribal communities as he unveiled the statue of freedom fighter Uda Devi Pasi in Lucknow.

He said contributions of only a select few families in the freedom struggle were included in history books. "Dalit, Adivasi [tribal] and Pasi leaders were neglected," he said. Singh criticised the previous governments for overlooking the contribution of Pasi leaders in the freedom struggle.

"[Uttar Pradesh] chief minister Yogi Adityanath has given recognition and honour to such leaders of the freedom struggle," said Singh. He listed the contributions of Pasi leaders in the strug...