Sarva Seva Sangh Varanasi

Independence Day Resolve to intensify  protest against the demolition of Gandhian Heritage at Varanasi 

On  August 15th 2023,coinciding  with  77  th anniversary of India's independence, Gandhian activists,representatives of various constructive organizations, academics, and concerned citizens assembled at Shanti Bhavan of Sevagram Ashram premises after unfurling  the National Flag at Nai Talim and Sarva Seva Sangh premises, Sevagram Wardha.The meeting was called to condemn and intensify the protest   after the illegal  eviction of Sarva Seva Sangh from its premises at Varanasi on July 22 by  use of State power and subsequently demolition of heritage buildings of Sarva Seva Sangh, Varanasi on August 12,2023 devoid of any court order and  with utter disrespect to democratic principles. 

 Shri Chandan Pal,President of Sarva Seva Sangh addressing the meeting 

 

The programme began with a brief introduction about the background for calling the meeting  by Dr.Prabhakar Pusadkar, Secretary,Nai Talim Samiti, Sevagram. Shri Chandan Pal President of Sarva Seva Sangh was the keynote speaker of the meeting. At the outset,he conveyed independence day greetings to all assembled in the meeting. He said it is quite unfortunate that we have to assemble in Gandhi Ashram premises in Sevagram to discuss how to protect Gandhian heritage in the country on the eve of independence day. It is not a moment of celebration for us.He succinctly outlined how Sarva Seva Sangh premises were developed at Varansi under the guidance of Acharya Vinoba Bhave .Vinobaji felt the need for disseminating Sarvodaya Literature from Kashi during his tour in this area during the Bhoodan Padyatra.To realise his vision of disseminating Gandhian principles from Kashi  Vinoba got the support of stalwart leaders like Dr.Rajendra Prasad, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri,Babu Jagjivan Ram  and others.  Subsequently Sarva Seva Sangh purchased land from Northern Railways by duly depositing the amount in the Government treasury  and through legal process of registering  the sale deeds in 1960,1961 and 1970 amounting to total area of 12.89 acres of land.It was  from here Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan established Gandhian Institute of Studies which was supported by Uttar Pradesh government and the central government academic body. Sarva Seva Sangh was operating from its premises almost for  six decades and it was the headquarters of publication wing of Sarva Seva  Sangh  which sells Sarvodaya Literature through stalls established in the railway platform through out the country. Now Sarva Seva Sangh is described as encroachers of Railway land by fraudulent means. In this process they are  accusing the great leaders of the country  who helped Sarva Seva Sangh to purchase the railway land. Why Acharya Vinoba Bhave  who was instrumental in collecting lakhs of acres of lands for the poor people of the country use any such means? The country will not forgive disrespecting  our national heros.

 Shri Chandan Pal narrated the Satyagraha struggle in the premises when Gandhian Institute of Studies was  forcibly taken over by the Government and given to the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, which works as a centre for research in the field of the arts on May 15.He also throw light legal battle in different courts including the Supreme Court of India.We tried to get an appointment with the Prime Minister of the country who happened to be the member of the Parliament representing Varanasi during his visit in July . It was not our desire to come out of the Jail when we were arrested for protesting  eviction on July 22.We eight of us decided that we will remain jail as many days the Government wants to keep us. But we were released due to intervention of Gandhian fraternity who were anxious about us.

The attack on Gandhian heritage is going on in this country for a long time. Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram was literally taken away by the Government in the name of renovation and redevelopment. The second one was Gujarat Vidyapith a university founded by Gandhiji. Now it is Sarva Seva Sangh, Varanasi which carries the Gandhian heritage. 

Shri Chandan Pal said if it is Railways land how  the documents  published in July 2022 for the proposed Inter Modal Station at Kashi Railway Station shows the Sarva Seva Sangh land in its records? Not only that  it  states that 1.3 acres of land  of land from Sarva Seva Sangh needs to be acquired for the proposed plan.

In the affidavit submitted by the Railways on behalf of Central Government  in Special Leave Petition Civil is only saying about Inter Modal Station at Kashi  and not the commercial ventures of the project like hotel,commercial plaza,business  business center,  5 star hotels, bazaars and other ventures in favour of private parties for their capitalist interest.  For the capitalists  benefit the whole project is undertaken. 

 

This  project would also lead to complete environmental degradation of Kashi.It is within 200 metre limit of Ganga and proximity to Kachhua Sanctuary  and Archeological site . Thus  it will lead to complete ecological disaster.  In the name of development we are destroying the fine eco balance of Kashi. This is happening every where in India in the name of development. He said therefore we should intensify our nonviolent fight against the demolition of Gandhian Heritage in the country and also protection of environment for the future generations. He concluded his lengthy address  by stating that we have to decide whether we want Gandhi or Godse.

The next speaker was Dr.Vibha Gupta,Chairperson of Magan Sangrahalaya Samity,Wardha. She stated that land purchased by Sarva Seva Sangh and all these years  Sangh was paying taxes to the government how all on a sudden it became illegal. It is very clear from the records it belongs to the Sangh. 

She lamented that the change in the flag code of India on the ocassion of 75 th anniversary of India's independence paved the way for use of polyester clothing for the preparation of the national Flag. It is against the spirit of freedom movement and Gandhian tradition.The prescribed norms of unfurling of the national flag were diluted during Har Ghar Tiranga .The people of Wardha should come forward to protect Khadi and Gandhian heritage. Others also spoke on the occasion. An outline of proposed programmes in Wardha and through out the  country were explained to the participants. The independence day meeting at Sevagram concluded with a firm resolve to protect Gandhian heritage. The meeting also expressed satisfaction over the growing support for the movement.