CBFC Watch

Saako 363 is the 300-year-old tale of the sacrifice of 363 Bishnois to save trees. King Abhay Singh needed wood to build his Flower Palace, but it was difficult to find in the desert-like Rajasthan. The only greenery was in the Bishnoi villages. Bishnois are followers of Jambheshwar Maharaj's 29 principles, which emphasize the protection of nature and living beings. They believe that sacrificing one's life to save trees is a noble act, as their guru has said, "If you have to cut your head to save a tree, it's a cheap deal." Girdharlal Bhandari, the king's minister, who harbored a grudge against the Bishnois, led a group of soldiers to the Bishnoi village to cut down trees. However, they faced resistance from the Bishnois. Amrita Devi, a simple and truthful Bishnoi woman, led the resistance, inspiring neighboring villages to join the fight. This incident is an example of extraordinary courage. The axes and swords clashed, and the number of beheaded Bishnois grew. The killers grew tired, but the Bishnois remained steadfast, refusing to let a single tree be cut. This is a unique and unparalleled incident in the history of not only Bharat but the whole of world, inspiring us to protect nature, wildlife, and the environment.—Ashwani Shukla (Publicist)