MP minister calls reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy a ‘British Agent’; apologises
Shajapur (MP) (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Inder Singh Parmar has triggered a row by calling social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, an "agent of the British" who started a "vicious cycle of religious conversion".
After facing outrage for his comment, the state Higher Education Minister on Sunday issued an apology, claiming it was a "slip of the tongue".
Parmar made the controversial comment during an event held in Agar Malwa district on the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda on
"Rajaram Mohan Roy was a British agent. He worked in the country as their 'dalal', and started a vicious cycle of religious conversion," he said in his address.
The British had projected several people as "fake social reformers" and promoted those who encouraged conversions, he claimed.
"If anyone had the courage to stop this and protect the tribal community, it was Birsa Munda," he said, adding that missionary schools were the only educational institutions during the British rule and education was used as a cover for religious conversion.
The minister said that Munda had recognised this trend, left missionary education, and fought for his community and against British rule.
Following criticism for his comments about Roy, Parmar, in a video statement, said the remark "came out by mistake".
"Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a social reformer, and he should be respected. The sentence slipped out of my mouth by mistake, and I am very sad about it. I apologise for it," he said.
The minister said he did not intend to insult any historical figure.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar, Bengal, in an orthodox Brahmin family.
Known as the father of the Indian Renaissance, he ushered in an era of enlightenment and liberal reformist modernisation in India.
प्रसिद्ध समाज सुधारक श्री राजा राम मोहन राय जी ने अपने काल में समाज सुधार का बहुत काम किया है।
— इन्दरसिंह परमार (@Indersinghsjp) November 16, 2025
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
