Thus, Pratap was making great waves.
It had become a band wagon of national sentiments and public awareness. The popularity of Pratap was becoming headache for the government as it was creating troubles.
The newspaper’s anti-government views and criticism was deeply hurting the administrators and their bosses. Its regular features and columns were full of barbs and sarcastic comments which made the colonial rulers wince.
Pratap did not spare the rulers of the princely states under whose tyrannical rules the masses were groaning. These rulers and zamindars were allies of the British rulers in the exploitation of the native masses. For the misery of the people these native rulers and fiefs were equally to be blamed.
Pratap was determined to expose the nefarious games of the inbuilt enemies who were aiding and abetting colonial rule.
These elements made several attempts to silence the voice of Pratap through threats of dire consequences or brazenly tried to bribe to get matter in their favour printed. But Vidyarthi refused to be cowed down or bought.
As a result the British administration and the native rulers were ranging up against Pratap.
Several princely states declared Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi person non-grata in their respective areas. He was not allowed to enter or travel in such states. Similar thing happened in Indore. He even received threats of physical elimination.
Several law suits of defamations or damages were filed in the courts. In India dragging an inconvenient person into litigation was one of the ways of destroying him as it was a time and money consuming exercise besides being a headache.
Once Pratap carried on article which was very critical of the affairs of Gwalior state. The ruler of the state, Maharaja Madhavrao Sindhia was very upset about it. Then he learnt that the editor of Pratap, Ganesh Shankara Vidyarthi was the son of Babu Jainarianlal who was his own subject. His Highness Sindhia wrote a letter to Jainarianlal detailing how his son was spitting poison against the state of Gwalior. The father was directed to stop his son from doing damage to the state.
The letter was a matter of concern for Jainarainlal. He was frightened and worried. He went to Kanpur and met his son Vidyarthi. The father pleaded that what was written in Pratap about Gwalior ruler was not fair and the newspaper should print retraction of the article or an apology.
“No Babuji,” Vidyarthi shook his head and added, “Whatever is printed in Pratap is fair because it is nothing but the truth.”
“Son, the article has greatly annoyed Maharaja Saheb. I have promised him that my son would correct his mistake,” Jainarainlal said in a weak voice and begged, “Son, we live in his state and are at his mercy. Just for that reason we must respect him and use caution.”
“Father! I have been taught to respect the truth only. It was your own advice. If Maharaja Sindhia does not like to hear or read the truth about himself it is his problem. I can’t side with falsehood. As far as your being at his mercy in Gwalior is concerned you can come to Kanpur to live with me. It is your family here also,” Ganesh Shankara Vidyarthi reasoned with his father calmly. “Babuji, I am the editor of Pratap. I can’t compromise on the duties of that chair.”
Jainarainlal sighed, “Whatever son. I want you to meet Maharaja Sindhia yourself and sort out the matter. Do that for my sake.”
Vidyarthi had to give the promise to his father that on his first visit to Gwalior he would meet the Maharaja. The father returned greatly relieved.
Vidyarthi kept up his promise. A couple of weeks later he paid a visit to Gwalior and presented himself to Maharaja Madhavrao Sindhia. After some formal talk Maharaja drew the attention of Vidyarthi to that particular comment of Pratap on the state of affairs of Gwalior state which was very derogatory. It was said in a manner that he expected Vidyarthi to explain (the misconduct).
“Respected your Highness.” Vidyarthi addressed the Maharaja and said, “On personal level I have great respect for you. You are entitled to it. But as the editor of Pratap I request you to exercise control over your arrogant officials so that they do not play with the matters of public welfare.”
“We do that always,” Maharaja claimed and added, “We also wish that out state is governed judiciously.”
“Then I promise to you that in future Pratap will not print any adverse report about the Gwalior state.”
In this way Vidyarthi put forward his case and saved the reputation of Pratap as well. The Maharaja also felt that he had scored his royal point.
A pleased Maharaja gave dinner in the honour of Ganesh Shankara Vidyarthi at the end of which he presented the latter a costly shawl as a royal gift. Vidyarthi reluctantly accepted it.
He was hesitant because he felt that Maharaja was giving him the shawl as a convenience price. But refusing to accept it then would have appeared discourtesy.
But the gifted shawl hung heavy on his idealist conscience.
He returned to Kanpur but never in his life time he used that shawl. It stayed in a box for the benefit of moths who did their job nicely and turned it into a royal heap of silk dust.
Such a conscientious person Vidyarthi was.
