19 August 2024, 22:18
Destruction of memorial to Tsarist General Daut Keshev is third in its history
The memorial plaque dedicated to Daut Keshev has already been destroyed three times. While earlier this had to do with his descendants' role in the establishment of Soviet power in Kabardino-Balkaria, now the destruction is connected with the general's participation in the Russian-Turkish War on the side of the tsarist army, his great-great-grandson is sure.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that vandals had ruined the Keshev clan's family monument, Arthur Keshev, a resident of the village of Kenzhe, has stated and demanded from the police to find the vandals. He is sure that the destruction of the memorial plaque is the work of local nationalists who cannot forgive Daut Keshev for fighting on the side of the tsarist army during the Russian-Turkish War.
Meanwhile, according to Arthur Keshev, his ancestor was carrying out a peacekeeping mission - on behalf of the Russian Emperor, he tried to convince the Adygs of the Black Sea region not to support Ottomans, but to take a neutral position in order to save themselves.
Despite the fact that Daut Keshev was a tsarist general, his sons supported the Soviet power and even worked in leadership positions.
According to Arthur Keshev, there were people in Kenzhe who wrote denunciations. To avoid trouble, the general's descendants were forced to burn down all his awards, his uniform, and his personalized sabre.
Daut Keshev paved a road in Kenzhe and decorated a spring; and the people named both the road and the spring after him. His descendants had installed a memorial plaque to him at the spring. This plaque had been broken twice before. According to Arthur Keshev, this was done earlier by those who had a grudge against the Soviet government, because Daut's grandchildren actively participated in strengthening thereof.
This time, the monument was broken by local nationalists, guided by false information that the general had fought against Adygs of the Black Sea region, although he was only trying to convince his fellow tribesmen to show prudence and not to expose themselves for the sake of the interests of the Ottoman Empire, the great-great-grandson believes.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 17, 2024 at 00:19 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: СK correspondent