Story of 108 years ago
PM Modi spoke to the countrymen in his program 'Mann Ki Baat'. He said that today is the last Sunday of April and the month of May is about to begin soon. He took the country 108 years ago in April and the months of May of 1917. At that time a unique fight for independence was going on in the country. The atrocities of the British had increased a lot. The poor, deprived and farmers were getting very high.
Champaran's story in 'Mann Ki Baat'
PM Modi said that the British in Bihar were forcing farmers to cultivate indigo. Due to this farming, the land of farmers was getting barren. But the British government was not making any difference. When Gandhiji reached Champaran in Bihar in 1917, the farmers told him their problems. He said that his land is dying and he does not have food grains to eat. Hearing the suffering of millions of farmers, Gandhiji took a pledge. He started Champaran Satyagraha from there.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad also mentioned
PM Modi also talked about Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the country. He said that 'Champaran Satyagraha' was Gandhiji's first major movement in India. The entire English government was shaken by his satyagraha. The British had to stop the law that forced farmers to cultivate indigo cultivation. This was a big victory, which filled the freedom struggle. PM Modi also told that Dr. Rajendra Prasad, another great person from Bihar, also had a big contribution in this Satyagraha. He also wrote a book on 'Champaran Satyagraha', named 'Satyagraha in Champaran'. PM Modi said that every youth should read this book.
Many important events in April
PM Modi further said that in the month of April, there were many more important events of the freedom struggle. Gandhiji's 'Dandi Yatra' was completed on 6 April. The journey started from March 12 and lasted for 24 days. This journey shook the British. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in April itself. The traces of this painful incident are still present on the land of Punjab.
Talk of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh
Recalling Babu Veer Kunwar Singh, PM Modi said that in a few days the anniversary of the first freedom struggle is also coming on May 10. The spark that arose in that first battle of independence, later became a torch for millions of fighters. He also informed that the death anniversary of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh Ji, the great hero of the 1857 revolution, was celebrated on 26 April. This great fighter of Bihar inspires the entire country. PM Modi said that we have to keep the inspiration of millions of such freedom fighters alive. The energy received from them gives new strength to our resolutions of 'Amritakal'.