Mahatma Gandhi Birth Anniversary: Mahatma Gandhi has a very special association with Bihar. He had come to Patna. He had even made the farmers his guru in this state. Mahatma Gandhi had a deep connection with the capital of Bihar. He stayed here for forty days. During this period he participated in many confidential meetings. Even though Bapu was born in Gujarat. But, he has a deep connection with Bihar. He has an association with the capital Patna. Bapu was constantly visiting Patna regarding Champaran Satyagraha, establishment of Bihar Vidyapeeth and riots in Bihar after the declaration of independence etc. Mahatma Gandhi stayed in Patna for several days. Bapu stayed here for about 40 days in the year 1947.
Gandhi reached Patna on 10 April 1917
On the insistence of Pandit Rajkumar Shukla, Mahatma Gandhi reached Patna for the first time on 10 April 1917 to promise help to the farmers of Champaran. Here Bapu took part in a secret meeting on June 3, 1917 at Darbhanga House in Pirbahore. Maulana Mazharul Haq, Madan Mohan Malviya, Hathua’s Maharaj Bahadur Raibahadur Krishna Shahi, Mohammad Musa, Yusuf, Ram Gopal Choudhary, Express manager Krishna Prasad, Deputy Secretary of Darbhanga Maharaj participated in this meeting. After holding the meeting here, he returned from Ranchi to Patna with Kasturba on June 7, 1917. Mahatma Gandhi had to go to Mumbai during the Champaran movement. For this Bapu had reached Patna from Motihari. On January 31, he caught a train for Mumbai. After this, he returned on 19th May and then left for Motihari. Bapu again came to Patna on 24th May and went to Baroda by train.
Gandhi considered Pandit Rajkumar Shukla as his guru.
It is known that after the Champaran movement, there was a change in the scenario of the Indian freedom struggle. After this, the influence of Mahatma Gandhi increased across the country. Gandhi played an important role in attracting everyone’s attention towards this. Murali Bharhwa village is situated on the banks of Pandai river in West Champaran district. Pandit Rajkumar Shukla, a farmer here, was determined to drive away the British. It was due to his insistence that Mahatma Gandhi had to come to Bihar from Gujarat. The Champaran movement had emerged as a strong symbol of the country’s struggle for independence. Gandhiji, who drove out the British from India and liberated the country, served the welfare of the nation and society of Rajkumar Shukla. Due to this stubbornness, Gandhi considered him as his ‘third guru’.
Gandhi came to Champaran on 15 April 1971
It is known that Mahatma Gandhi had come to Champaran on 15 April 1971. He had come here to see and understand the atrocities being committed on farmers and laborers by the Neel Kothi British. But, the then DM had asked him to leave the district immediately. Mahatma Gandhi had disobeyed government orders following the voice of his soul. This was the first use of Satyagraha in India and the administration had withdrawn the case against him. During that time, Bapu had given his statement in the court of the then SDO and also given the reason for not obeying the order. The Satyagraha memorial pillar was built at the same place. At present a Gandhi Museum has also been constructed in this complex.
Farmers were worried about indigo cultivation
Let us tell you that Champaran Kisan Andolan was a farmer rebellion in Champaran district of Bihar. It began during the British colonial period in India. Indigo cultivation had broken the backs of farmers. It was his compulsion to cultivate it. Pressure was being put on the farmers. They were even beaten for not cultivating it. Champaran Satyagraha was started by Mahatma Gandhi. Due to this movement the British government had to bow before the Indians. Due to Champaran Satyagraha this hundred years old practice ended.