Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

Gandhiji's Visit to

Dr. Janmejay Choudhury

andhiji was not a philosopher or in which Gandhiji attempted to master and Gacademic thinker in the ordinary sense remake himself there. It was during the stay of the term; he did not spin out his philosophy in London that he became interested in the of life in the seclusion of the study room and study of the ‘Bhagabat Gita’ and also read apart from the hubbub of daily life. He was, Arnold’s ‘The Light of Asia’. first and foremost a man of action, a Karma Gandhiji returned from London in the Yogi to whom service of the poor was the summer of 1891, and set himself up as an service of God; for him God is manifested in advocate. After a short legal practice in his the poorest of the poor. All his social and political ideas took shape and were developed in the course of the civil resistance campaigns conducted by him in South Africa and . The life of Gandhiji was divided into three phases. The first phase of Gandhiji was passed in South Africa. After passing Matriculation examination he was sent to England in 1888 to qualify for the bar. His account of the stay in London is instructive because it reveals the way

OCTOBER - 2019 69 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 native town and Bombay, he went to South struggle is important both in itself and as a Africa to prepare and conduct the case of a preparation for the bigger struggle Mahatma rich Gujarati Muslim Merchant. He reached Gandhi was to wage in India. It not only there in May, 1893. Though he had gone prepared Gandhiji for the role he was to play there for only one year’s stay, the hard as the leader of the Indian people, but also conditions under which his countrymen lived helped Gandhiji to develop the technique of induced him to remain there for twenty long non-violence resistance. Gandhiji returned to years, fighting against the injustice meted out India as a leader who had mastered an art to them as a result of the race and colour as well as adopted an ideal and knew no prejudice which was rampant in that country. fear or distrust. Of course, during the period he paid short The second phase of Gandhiji’s life visits to India and also went to England in began with his return to India in 1914, and connection with the work he had undertaken. to last till the 15th of August, 1947, when The stay in South Africa from 1893 to 1914 Britain transferred power to the Indian is a very important episode in the life of Gandhiji; it was during this period that he people and India became a Dominion. This found himself and his work in the world. It is the period of achievement, the period in was the initial period of preparation in which which he triumphantly led the stupendous he discovered and developed the strange struggle for national Independence. During and potent weapon of Satyagraha which he this time Gandhiji visited Odisha for the eighth in India during the later period. Though he time to spread the message of national had taken up the case of his poor and illiterate movement and national ideas. His first visit rd countrymen settled in South Africa, he was was on 23 March 1921. He arrived at also practicing at the bar in the earlier stage. on 23 March 1921and addressed In short, this period is significant because public meetings at Cuttack, , during this time Gandhiji was engaged in inner Satyabadi, and within six purification and self-discipline, and days. Addressing a huge gathering in the developing the method of Satyagraha. He Kathjuri River bed at Cuttack in the evening did not fight for securing the Indians a status of 23 March, he observed that at least one of equality with the Europeans in South lakh people should be enrolled as Congress Africa; he did not even fight to abolish the members in Odisha before June 1921 and social segregation of Indians which he thought the people of Odisha should subscribe three as a problem to be solved. His immediate lakhs of rupees towards Tilak Swaraj Fund objective was the legal equality of Indians. to be spent for the management of national For twenty years South Africa remained the schools, Panchayat system, Khadi and such place of his activities. The South Africa other constructive works. He addressed the

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Muslim women, students and intellectuals in request of Madhusudan Das on 19 August three separate and special gatherings on the 1925. This was his second visit to Odisha. next day. Then he proceeded to Bhadrak He looked into the problems of the Utkal where he spent a day in propagating the Tannery and discussed the matter with some Congress views. After Bhadrak, he visited businessmen of Calcutta. Gandhi’s third visit Satyabadi to see the ideal school of to Odisha was on 4 December 1927, Gopabandhu, and addressed the students, primarily for Khadi work. In this third tour teachers and local people. From Satyabadi he visited Berhampur, Rambha, Huma, he went to Puri where he was given a very Banpur, Benta near Chandapur, Bolagarh, grand reception in the railway station. He Basudevpur, Bhadrak and Cuttack. During discussed the problems of famine with the this time he stayed from 4 December to 21 leaders and also visited some famine- December. In this time he was ill and for affected areas. He addressed a public this he took rest at Cuttack in the residence meeting and the women’s gathering in the of Madhu Sudan Das. town of Puri on 27 March. During his visit to Odisha, he saw the use of foreign cloth in After visiting Ganjam and Banpur, the temple of Lord Jagannath and objected Gandhi came to Bolagarh by invitation of to it very much. He raised the issue in the Niranjan Pattanaik, Aska, Ganjam. Gandhi public meeting in Puri and subsequently the halted three days at Bolagarh i.e. 9,10 and people requested the management of the 11 Dec 1927 to observe the crisis of Khadi temple to change the practice. In fact, about Sangathan and problems of ryots of Bolagarh a year later, the chief priest of the temple areas. Gandhi accompanied by Mahadev appealed our countrymen not to offer any Desai, pyare Lal, Prof. Kalekar, Dr. Kailash foreign cloth to Lord Jagannath as they were Nath Kotak and Raj Krishna Bose arrived pledged to use only Swadeshi articles for at Bolagarh Dak Bungalow at 5 pm on worship. It was a significant lesson for our 9.12.1927. About 60 men were waiting on orthodox people to imbibe the spirit of the road to receive him. Miss Slad or Mira Swadeshi. He observed the day of silence Ben who has been accompanying him on 28th and on the next day left Puri with throughout his tour in Odisha arrived in a Gopabandhu and other Congress workers separate car at 10 pm. Hadu Barik, the to visit Berhampur. Gandhiji’s speeches in barbar of Bandha Sahi at Bolagarh usually the public meetings were translated into Odia shaved Gandhiji during his stay at Bolagarh. by Pandit Gopabandhu Das. Gandhi’s visit Gandhiji in affection offered him a pair of had created an unprecedented enthusiasm Khadi dhoti and napkin which he had kept among the masses in Odisha.Mahatma safely for a long time. Gandhi was suffered Gandhi paid a short visit to Odisha on the from Fever at Bolagarh. So he stayed at Dak

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Bungalow. Gandhi visited village Chura on humiliated that whereas I cannot put up with the morning of 10th December 1927. He oppression for foreigners, my own country’s visited about 6 to 7 houses and talked with Zamindars or officials have been frightened the householders about their condition of life. are given to me I propose visiting them and He advised them to use Khadar and stick to if the names of the Zamindars are also given spinning. Gandhi praised this village due to I shall go and discuss the subject with them. Hindu-Muslim unity. He was astonished to Fear is more deadly than diseases, and I ask see the Women Charakha Centres in the them to give up fear, so that the work of those house of Ghana Swain. who frighten might automatically cease. Give Gandhi’s speech at public meeting, up drink, gambling and prostitution. So that Bolagarh was ‘Fear is more deadly than you can be pure enough to attain God. disease, such as Cholera, Smallpox or Though I have not come to raise purses in Malaria. Disease wastes only the body, while Odisha I don’t hesitate to beg even from the fear destroys the soul; and men of fear cannot poor for the sake of Khadi. May God bless understand God. He who is god fearing takes you.’ Gandhi also had some conversation the name of God, cannot fear men. I cannot with untouchables present at the meeting. He dismiss as untrue reports of friends who have advised them to give up drinking and the informed me that you have been frightened habit of taking flesh of dead cattle which he by the Police and others who have told that had never heard in any part in India except Government would arrest all those who came Odisha. Those who were prominent to me. I am aware of nothing for which amongst present in the meeting, they were Government should make arrests and Dr. Atalabihari Acharya of Cuttack, I know Government has not till now asked Raghunath Mahapatra, Krupasindhu Hota, people not to contribute to funds raised by Raj Krishna Bose, Murari Tripathy, me. I understand that Odisha being poor, Dukhishyama Mahanty, Raghunath Sahu Zamindars and officials want to keep people Baban Mahapatra, Rafiudhin Khan, Golam under fear for their own selfish interests. I Mustaffa and Balakrushna Pattanaik. On 12 have found something striking in the same December Gandhi attended the general atmosphere since Banpur. I cannot make out meeting at Begunia. The cream of his speech how it will satisfy in the Government if people was ‘to be courageous.’ On the same day are kept off from me, or Khadi work is he left this place for Puri through interfered with. I cannot bear the thought that town and Jatni Railway station by train. anyone should oppress another and feel During his stay at Bolagarh, Gandhi wrote ashamed that such poor unsophisticated letters to C.F. Andrews (10 Dec 1927), people receive such treatment. I feel C. Rajgopalchari (10 Dec 1927),

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Sri Prakash (11 Dec 1927), Harijivan Kotak In fact, the local Zamindars and the police (11 Dec 1927) and Sabarmati Ashram had conspired to frighten the ryots not to Women (12 Dec 1927). meet Gandhiji or to take part in any Before his visit, he described the demonstration in his honour. While Gandhi condition of Odisha in a most pathetic tone. going to Bolagarh after Banpur tour, he “It is to my mind” he said “an epitome of our delivered a speech at a village named Benta distressful condition. Odisha regenerate is to near Chandapur National Highway No.5. me the regeneration for the whole of India. Here many local leaders of Ranpur attended It is a land which need not be the poorest in the meeting. It highly cooperated to the the country. Its people are in no way inferior People’s Uprising of Ranpur. Then Gandhi to those of the other parts of India. They reached at Bolagarh and stayed there for have a fine history all their own. They have three days. Gandhi’s fourth visit to Odisha magnificent temples. They have the Lord of was on 22 December 1928 while going to the universe in their midst, who knows no Calcutta. He stayed at of distinction between his creatures. And yet, and delivers a speech at the same sad to relate, under the very shadow of the venue. On 5 May 1934 Gandhi visited mighty temple people die of hunger in Odisha for fifth time. Because after his thousands. It is a land of chronic poverty, release from jail, he decided to undertake a chronic famine and chronic disease. wide tour in the country to rouse public Nowhere have I seen in the eyes of people consciousness against the social evils. So he so much blankness, so much despair; so came to Odisha in this connection. On 5 much lifelessness as in Odisha. During his May he reached Jharsuguda in the district of tour to Odisha in December 1927 Gandhiji Sambalpur by train. He then travelled to visited several Khadi production centres of Meramandali by halting at Sambalpur and the All-India Spinners’ Association. The . In both the places he addressed public people were afraid to approach him. He was meetings and collected funds for Harijans astonished to find how the people lived in a welfare. From Meramandali he took the train perpetual state of fear. The National to Puri where he reached on 6 May. The awakening he felt had not succeeded in next day he spent as his day of silence and rousing their spirits. With much pathos he on 8 May he announced his novel said: “Never since the days of Champaran programme for removal of untouchability in 1916, have I witnessed such death like from the masses by undertaking Padayatra quiet as I did on entering political Odisha in Odisha. Like an ancient sage propagating through Banpur. And I fear that the quiet of his message by sacred marches on foot Odisha is worse than that of Champaran”. throughout the countryside, Gandhiji was

OCTOBER - 2019 73 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 determined to root out the evil from the Hindu The occasion was to attend the fourth annual society by his sacred mission which began conference of ‘Gandhi Seva Sangha’ and from Puri, one of the most famous religious ‘Utkal Khadi and Village Industry’ exhibition centres of the Hindus in India. On 9 May at Berboi near Delanga in . Village 1934, the Padayatra began from Puri. That Berboi was selected for the place of the famous march was not only a novel fourth annual conference of Gandhi Seva experiment in India, but also it provided a Sangha because of two reasons i.e., firstly, unique experience for Gandhiji. He realized here an ardent follower of Gandhiji, Pandit that by travelling on foot though distance Krupasindhu Hota had started an Ashram covered was much less, yet greater amount since 1934 and trained the youth on ‘Gram of work was done by coming into intimate Swaraj’. The Ashrama established by Pandit contact with the people. He hoped that the Krupasindhu in that village became Congress workers in different parts of India prominent, because its inmates got Gandhiji’s would undertake similar Padayatra to carry direct supervision. Secondly, this place was his message for the removal of untouchability well communicated both by rails and roads. to every home. In fact, Gandhiji could The fourth annual conference of Gandhi Seva personally realize the problems of Harijans Sangha began on 25 March 1938 and when he visited several Harijan habitats in continued up to 31 March 1938. Here course of his march from Puri to Cuttack. Gandhi was accompanied by Kasturaba On 16 May he went to Patna to attend the (wife), Mani Lal (son), Sushila (daughter in All India Congress Committee Meeting and law), Aruna (grandson), Durgaben, Sardar again returned to Odisha on 21 May 1934 Ballabha Bhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam which was his sixth visit to Odisha. On that Azad, Khan Abdul Gafar Khan, Dr. day he started the second phase of the Rajendra Prasad, Acharya Krupalini, programme from Bayree, small railway Mahadev Desai, Jamunalal Bajaj, Dr. station in the district of Cuttack, and Prafulla Ghose, Thakkar Baba and others. continued his missionary programme till 7 Prominent Odia leaders who joined this June 1934 when he reached Bhadrak. On conference were Gopabandhu Choudhury, the whole he covered 156 miles in coastal Rama Devi, Pandit Krupasindhu Hota, Odisha by foot. For him it was a sort of Acharya Harihar Das, Binod Kanungo, spiritual experience and he realized the Annapurna Maharana, Biswanath Das, problems in Indian villages by his long 26 Manmohan Choudhury, Dibakar Parida of days’ Padayatra in one of the poorest Ranpur, Raghunath Mahanty of Ranpur, provinces in India. Agadhu Baral, Madan Mohan Das, Banamali After four years, again Gandhi visited Ram, Achyuta Ram, Muralidhar Das, Odisha for seventh time on 25 March 1938. Buridhin Khan, Dayanidhi Parida, Sridhar

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Das (from ), Sukla Behera, Gajapati met Gandhiji and presented an Banchanidhi Senapati, Lakshmana amount Rs.1116/- to ‘All India Village Maharana and others also. There are four Industry Association. At any way Berboi thousand people from all over India joined conference adopted resolutions reiterating its the conference. There are 118 volunteers, commitment to do welfare of the society. 30 helpers, 9 co-operators and 3 officers Some of these resolutions confirm Gandhiji’s deployed to conduct the conference. On 25 involvement in mass mobilization on March afternoon the conference was started constructive works. under the chairmanship of Kishorlal Resolution- 2(a): Masruwala, the president of Sangha. In the evening, Gandhi started his speech in Hindi. ‘Any member who according to the Gandhi and his followers who were with him principles of the Sangha do not spin 2000 stayed at Berboi for seven days. The people gauge thread per month should leave the Sangha immediately’ in and around, irrespective of caste and sex being attracted by Gandhiji’s speech and Resolution-3(a): entrepreneurship joined the constructive 'As there is shortage of drinking water and works with him. They engaged themselves water for agriculture in the country, the in cutting of threads; digging and renovation members and the countrymen were of wells and ponds, cleaning of villages, requested through this resolution to join in setting up playgrounds, gardens and firms the venture of digging and cleaning of wells. etc. Many of the workers were also engaged For the purpose, they should collect funds in teaching children at Gram Pathasala and and offer physical labour.' trained the people about proper hygiene and sanitation. During these days, prayers, Suta Resolution-3 (b): Yagna and physical labour were done This Conference also prescribed for all types regularly by the delegates of the conferences. of workers who worked in villages that they Some prominent persons and dignitaries met should engage themselves in cleaning and Gandhiji during his stay at Delanga. On 27 repairing of village roads, use of latrines, March, the President of Cuttack Municipality digging of wells and ponds for drinking and Satyanarayan Sengupta, Ray Bahadur agricultural purposes, preparing play Lokanath Mishra, Rai Saheb Siris Chandra grounds, gardens according to the needs of Bose and the Mahanta of Emar Math, Puri the village, sought co-operation from met Gandhiji at Berboi and expressed their neighboring villagers on these works and grievances. In the last day of conference, the maintained the record of accounts of these Paralakhemundi Maharaja Krushna Chardra works.

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Resolution-3 (c): its product. Gandhiji also proposed to open Distribution of medicines and management cow-sheds in large number. of Panthsalas should be continued as part of So Mahatma Gandhi's visit to the programme. Berboi, Delanga, Puri was grand successful. Resolution-3 (d): Gandhiji came to Odisha for last time or for eight times on 20 January 1946. He joined Eradication of Untouchability two general meetings at Berhampur and * To come closer towards Harijans and Cuttack. set examples for others to do. The third phase of Gandhiji from the * No distinction between any workers middle of August, 1947, or from the start of and the Harijans. the Direct Action by Muslim League one year earlier, to his martyrdom on the 30th of * Allow Harijans to enter to home. January, 1948, is of the nature of a climax. * Treat them as guest, inter - dinning with The world-wide homage paid to Mahatmaji them. on his death was unique and unparalleled in * Rear a Harijan child keeping him in one’s the history of the world. Never before was home. flags flown half mast in all the capitals of the world and on the offices of the U.N. to * Visit Harijan Sahi and serve them. honour a citizen who had no wealth and no * Any work done by the Harijans should official status, no academic distinction and not be treated as inferior. So do the no title or political authority. The homage to same job with interest. Gandhi was humanity’s homage to morality and religion, to truth and non-violence, to Resolution-4: the spiritual values of life as against material The aim of Sangha was to look the values. economic and moral development of the countrymen. Protection and care of cows would result in economic progress as well as practice of non-violence. Therefore service to cows drew attention of the members of the conference. They Dr. Janmejay Choudhury, Lecturer in History, campaigned on utilization of cow’s milk and Sri Jagannath College, Kaipadar, Khordha.

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