Sambalpur: Freedom Fighters’ Museum Turns into a Haunted House in Sambalpur; Remains Locked Even After 9 Years of Inauguration, Rs 1.5 Crore Goes to Waste
Sambalpur: Sambalpur, a district that played a significant role in India’s independence movement and subsequent non-violent struggles, remains a silent witness to its forgotten legacy. Despite the invaluable contributions of freedom fighters from Western Odisha, the Freedom Fighters Museum, constructed in 2016, lies abandoned, showcasing administrative neglect and lack of willpower.
Museum Inauguration with High Hopes
In 2016, the then Chief Minister inaugurated the Freedom Fighters Museum near Mandalia in Sambalpur, built on a 1.28-acre plot near Gourishankar Park. It was constructed by the Department of Culture at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crores with the aim of preserving and exhibiting artifacts and memorabilia related to freedom fighters. This initiative, spearheaded by the former chairperson of the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), Niranjan Panda, envisioned a space where future generations could learn about the sacrifices made for the country’s freedom.
Current State: A Monument of Neglect
Nine years later, the museum remains non-operational. No efforts were made to collect and display the artifacts of the region’s freedom fighters. The museum building, instead of becoming a center of historical pride, is now derisively referred to as “Bhutakothi” (haunted house) by locals due to its abandoned state. While the nearby art gallery, inaugurated in 2021, operates effectively, the museum has been completely overlooked.
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The Role of Western Odisha in the Freedom Movement
Western Odisha, including Sambalpur, had a pivotal role in the Indian freedom movement. Long before the First War of Independence in 1857, leaders like Veer Surendra Sai raised the bugle of rebellion against British rule. During Mahatma Gandhi’s call for the Non-Cooperation Movement, Sambalpur’s students boycotted schools, gaining national attention. The region contributed significantly to the Salt Satyagraha, the Quit India Movement, and other socio-political campaigns, including those against untouchability and alcoholism. People from all communities, including women, marginalized sections, and tribal groups, made sacrifices for the nation.
Administrative Apathy and Missed Opportunities
Former WODC chairpersons Niranjan Panda and Kishore Mohanty envisioned the museum as a tribute to these unsung heroes. However, the lack of follow-through has left the museum in ruins. The current cultural department officials are reportedly unaware of the museum’s existence. Repeated appeals from former officials, such as Vijay Mohanty, to district administrators and government authorities have fallen on deaf ears. Letters to the Urban Development Minister, too, have failed to yield any results.
A Lost Educational Opportunity
Across India, museums run by the cultural department attract students, researchers, and general visitors, educating them about their heritage. In contrast, Sambalpur’s Freedom Fighters Museum, which could have been a beacon of historical education, lies neglected. This abandonment is seen as a failure to honor the sacrifices of freedom fighters and educate future generations.
The Freedom Fighters Museum in Sambalpur stands as a grim reminder of misplaced priorities and bureaucratic inertia. Local activists and concerned citizens demand immediate action to make the museum functional. The sooner the government and administration take corrective steps, the better it will be to preserve the legacy of Western Odisha’s freedom fighters for generations to come.
