On 13 April, 1923 on the occasion of National week a procession was taken out in Nagpur with national flag (Congress flag) held aloft symbolically. The police tried to stop the procession but the Congress workers pushed on. The police charged on the workers and the workers were arrested en-masse and the flag got trampled upon.
Seth Jamnalal Bajaj termed it deliberate contempt of Indian national flag by the police. He rose up in protest. The authorities banned the display of the Indian flag. At Jamnalal’s calls volunteers from all over Maharashtra began to converge in Nagpur.
The police arrested Jamnalal Bajaj. It further infuriated the people. The flag movement became more intense. Then Jawaharlal Nehru happened to be in Nagpur. He delivered a speech.
He said—“Coming to Nagpur gave my mind peace. Nagpur showed that there is something happening here. I am not interested in big announce- ments and long debates. I just like one thing—‘action’. And I enjoy only one thing—‘battling’. What Nagpur has done today is example for other provinces. I especially like this battle for the honour of the flag because it is not for any selfish end but a fight for the principle.”
Congress Working Committee and High Command both extended their whole hearted support to the ‘Flag Satyagraha’ and declared that 18th April would be celebrated as the ‘Flag Day’ nationwide. The Congress Committee issued an appeal to the youth of the country to march to Nagpur and support the ‘Flag Satyagraha’ and make it successful.
The appeal made a great impact. The Congress workers began to flood in Nagpur. The Flag Satyagraha suddenly transformed into a nationwide movement. Vardha where Vinoba was carrying on his ascetic venture was close to Nagpur. Vinoba learnt about the Flag satyagraha and he announced that he would join the movement.
By now he had become a well known figure as Gandhiji’s ‘first soldier of non-violence’. The workers urged Vinoba to take charge of the movement. He accepted. It was a matter of concern for the police. Hence, it moved fast and Vinoba was arrested before he took charge of the movement.
After Vinoba’s arrest Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel came forward to lead the satyagraha. The administration had done rethinking on the matter. On 18 April the protest march started from the appointed spot. The police did not stop the march and no volunteer was arrested. Then, the government lifted the ban from the display of the flag. Later, all the arrested leaders and workers were released on 3rd September.
Vinoba, for the first time figured in the daily news. It was incidentally his first experience of the jail. Another episode that put him in the news was Waicom.
Waicom is a famous pilgrim centre on the west coast of India in present day state of Kerala. There is a famed Shiva temple.
The road to the temple led through a Brahmin colony. The Brahmins had on their own banned the use of that road for untouchable castes. The ban was in force for centuries. The new age social reformers had taken a vow to fight against this unlawful prohibition. The satyagraha began in 1924 led by Madhavan, Krishna Swami and Keldhana etc. They attempted to go to Waicom temple through the Brahmin colony accompanied by Harijans.
The orthodox mobs foiled this attempt.
The satyagraha organisers consulted Gandhiji on this matter and sought his co-operation. Gandhiji promised help. Unfortunately he himself was not in fit condition physically. He had been operated upon for the removal of appendicitis and was very weak.
Gandhiji discussed the issue with Vinoba Bhave and asked him to take part in the satyagraha. So, Vinoba set out for Waicom as per Gandhiji’s command.
Then, Waicom was in the princely state of Travancore. The state government was with the orthodox Brahmins. The satyagraha workers were intercepted by the state police. Vinoba had carefully planned the operations.
Vinoba publicly declared that all the citizens irrespective of caste and creed had the right to use public thoroughfare or passage. He divided workers into small groups. Every group included some Harijans. The groups were despatched to Waicom separately. The workers were instructed to maintain self control and restraint. No violence was to be used.
The satyagraha groups were attacked with sticks by the police, priests and orthodox mobs. Many workers were arrested. The protesters did not retreat. Then, the police blocked the passage.
The protesters picketted infront of the police under the leadership of Vinoba. They did not push the police or tried to cross the police barricade. A peaceful demonstration they staged and carried on without any let up. This non-violent confrontation continued for 16 months. At last, the government yielded and the road blocks or barricades were removed.
The way Vinoba endured heat, rain and other discomforts to carry on the battle for so many months earned the praise of everyone. He proved a worthy general of Gandhiji’s satyagraha army.
Vinoba commented—‘Don’t praise me for the social service I am doing and don’t sing paeans of my qualities. I am doing no sacrifice. Infact, it is all for my own benefit and a selfish end. In the search of God I renounced my family and home. Now I know that the service to poor and the downtrodden is the way to God, my real objective.
