During 1920, Akali Sikhs had launched an agitation to reform the working of Sikh Gurudwaras. The Gurudwaras were being treated as private properties by their priests who were mostly British proteges. They were protected and supported by the colonial administration.Gurudwaras used to collect crores of rupees through the daily offerings of the devotees which was […]
Meanwhile Gandhiji had emerged as the tallest figure on the political scene of India. He was leading the freedom struggle. Under the Congress banner almost entire nation was behind him.Bhagat Singh also was drawing closer to the Congress and he had begun to feel great respect for Gandhiji, mainly because he was leading battle against
The seeds of the freedom sown in Bhagat by his family found right nursing ground in D.A.V. School. His feelings for nationalism and opposition to the British rule were intensifying. The martyrs of the battle against British were becoming his role models.In the early part of the 20th century some Punjabi farmers had gone to
In due course Bhagat Singh started going to the Primary School of the village along with his brother, Jagat Singh who was 6 year older. Bhagat was very close to his brother.By nature boy Bhagat was not caste or class conscious. He had a natural flair to befriend others. There was very old tailor in
The grandmother, Jai Kaur was sure that her newborn grandchild was a lucky mascot as his arrival was followed by the release of her three sons from the prisons.Somehow she had decided to call the baby ‘Bhagat’. Her daughter-in-law also liked the name. The grand old man’s face was wreathed in smiles. The six year
One the day of 27th September, 1907 a son was born to Mrs. Vidyawati, the wife of Sardar Kishan Singh of Banga village which was in Layalpur district of Punjab province. The village now is in Pakistan subsequent to the partition of India in 1947.The grandfather of the newborn, Sardar Arjun Singh was a farmer
Sarojini Naidu was a very jolly person by nature. She loved calling names to Gandhiji with affection without forfeiting the reverence. She would call him ‘Micky Mouse’ or ‘Dwarf’ or ‘Little man’. Sometimes she would say that Gandhiji was her Krishna and she was his humble flute.About Jawaharlal she once said, ‘Prime Ministers come and
What always troubled Sarojini was the fear of disharmony between Hindu and Muslims. She always urged Muslims to consider themselves sons of the soil and banish fears of injustice by the majority. She wanted Hindus and Muslims to live like brothers.In March, 1942 Cripps Mission arrived in India. Its aim was to explore the possibilities
In 1935 Congress celebrated its golden jubilee at Bombay.Meanwhile the British government had made some moves to appease Indians by holding the carrot of the participation in the provincial governments. The Congress party had taken part in the elections held under the new provisions and won majority in many assemblies. Some Congress leaders thought that
Soon after her return she again had to go abroad with her daughter Padamja to S. Africa to preside over East African Congress in 1929.Meanwhile Congress session was scheduled to be held in the month of December. Jawahar Lal Nehru was nominated to be its president.Sarojini wrote to him—My dear Jawahar,I think tomorrow your father
After 1924 Belgam Congress Session every Congressman felt that Sarojini could no more be denied the presidentship of the Congress. The next session held in Kanpur was presided over by Sarojini Naidu as wished by all. Gandhi proposed her name. The representatives of S. African Congress presented her a picture of her own.Sarojini said—‘Friends! I
In December, 1919 Montague-Chemsford suggested reforms were made into a law through an ordnance. It rocked the country and gave birth to ‘Khilafat’ movement.The colonial rulers made up their minds to crush the movement by giving sweeping powers to the police.A committee was formed under Justice Rawlett which suggested some draconian measures. The British got
Sarojini was a very forceful erudite woman. She never hesitated to call spade a spade. Her judgements were based on strictly secular ideals.The poetess never discriminated between Hindus and Muslims or men and women.In 1916 Muslim League convention was held in Lucknow. Sarojini was invited to speak at the inaugural meeting.She fearlessly spoke, ‘For one
‘When animosity, terror and violent explosions will cease,And the life will be reborn, on the eve of new peace,Your affection will express thanks in memories,Of those comrades who fought in your fearless ranks,And you will honour the valour in immortal sons,At that hour remember the blood of my martyr sons’.Sarojini Naidu’s political innings had in
Sarojini’s return to home was not all joy. She found that her father Dr. Aghornath Chattopadhyaya was seriously ill. She rushed to Calcutta to be by the side of his bed.Dr. Chattopadhyaya passed away in the month of February, 1915.It was such a grave loss that nothing could fill it up for her. The poetess