1929

From PhalkeFactory
Revision as of 02:31, 16 September 2010 by HansaThapliyal (talk)

A tribal chief in the north west frontier province, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was one of the staunch supporters of gandhiji's non-violent satyagraha. For a non-violent struggle against British imperialism, he organised his war like pathans, in 1929. He called these pathans, 'Khudai Khidmatgars'. The Khidmatgars did not attempt to defend themselves and remained peaceful when the police rained lathis on them, surprising the rest of the country by their example. Ghaffar Khan opposed the partition of India and after independence in 1947 fought for Pakhtoonistan, a separate state from Pakistan for the pathans. The Pakistan government imprisoned him but after 15 years was released due to ill-health. He crossed over to Afghanistan where he lived in self-imposed exile. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as the frontier Gandhi, through service, sacrifice and courage dominated the Indian scene of the freedom struggle. In 1987, in acknowledgement of his patriotism, India conferred on him, a 'foreigner', its highest civilian award, the 'Bharat Ratna'.

At Lahore on December 31, 1929, at the momentous session of the Indian National congress, Jawaharlal Nehru as its president gave a new dimension to the freedom movement. He proclaimed Purna Swaraj or complete freedom from British domination and British imperialism and as the New Year dawned, the flag of independence was unfurled. It was decided that Jan 26, be celebrated as Independence Day all over India. Thus, the first Independence Day on 26th Jan 1930, saw great enthusiasm among the people. Everywhere, in the morning the National flag was hoisted and in the afternoon huge processions were taken out midst great rejoicing and singing of national songs. Mass meetings were held in the evening. Jan 26, since independence, is celebrated as Republic Day all over India.


Indira B.A. director R. S. Chaudhari

Sulochana