Hyderabad Mukti Sangram: Part 3

 

Swami Ramanand Teerth 

Vande Mataram

It is the Amrit Mahotsava of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram 'The people's struggle, frequent rounds of negotiations, and the final intervention by the Indian Army under the name Operation Polo termed as Police Action the Nizam State of Hyderabad was integrated with India on another day of National Importance, 17th September, 1948.' Here's a comprehensive yet brief introduction of the Unsung National Movement.. 

Sanyasi who led the Movement 

 Youth groomed under the social uprising movement came to the conclusion that in a state like Hyderabad extreme majors of resistance are a necessity. They needed a selfless, firm fighter to lead the struggle. They found their leader in a Sanyasi. 

Vyankatesh Bhagwan Khedgikar. A selfless, patriotic young man from Kannada speaking region came to Hipparaga in the then Osmanabad district. He started teaching at the National Highschool run by patriots like A.K Waghmare. He later became principal of the school. 

He came into contact with many like minded youth like Digambarrao Bindu (One of the prominent leaders in armed struggle), Babasaheb Paranjape, and others. The discussions among them shaped the way for the struggle. At this school Vyankatesh attained 'Sanyasa' and took the name of  Swami Ramanand Teerth.. 

Narhar Kurundkar states, 

"Around 20 Lakh Muslims in the state had their vested interests in the Nizam State. Hindus had no other option but to bear with the communal bigotry. Consistent oppression and lack of awareness made Hindu pessimist about their rights. Character, Endurance, and preparation to make supreme sacrifices were the backbones of resistance. On this background only a Sanyasi could have led the movement."

Swami Ramanand Teerth, a patriot who firmly believed in integrated, united Bharat, accepted the fate of Partition, and stated, 

"The partition of Bharat is indeed a sad thing. But one has to remember that it ended the protection for Hyderabad. (Independence put an end to British resident, and British Indian army stationed in Hyderabad) Let's fight for a year or two, the end of Hyderabad state is just a matter of time.."

Babasaheb Paranjape

Babasaheb Paranjape, who belonged to British Indian province of Bombay, from Solapur, ignited by the cause of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram, joined the National High School at Hipparaga. 

Students and Teachers used to live together. Paranajape not only taught science but ignited the minds of students with patriotism, cause of national integrity with his excellent oratory at the school. 

Babasaheb Paranjape had his college education at the Fergusson college in Pune. He had many contacts in Pune, including arms supplier Shirubhau Limaye and many others. 

In the year 1935 Swamiji and Paranjape came to Ambajogai, started the Yogeshwari Vidyalay with the same purpose. Babasaheb Paranjape became the backbone of armed struggle. He used his contacts, links to source arms and ammunition from Mumbai and Pune. 

He conducted arms training camps in border areas with Ahmednagar and Solapur districts. He started arms factories at Pune and Solapur. 

With brief introduction of two eminent leaders, let's move to some of the initial movements in the Mukti Sangram. 

Vinayakrao Vidyalankar

Arya Samaj 

In the year 1892 the Arya Samaj took its first steps in the Nizam state. The strong network of Arya Samaj carried out progressive social activities like widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage, breaking of caste barriers. 

Justice Keshavrao Koratkar, his son Vinayakrao Vidyalankar played pivotal role in establishing and working of Arya Samaj. 

Arya Samaj played a key role in igniting Hindus for their social-cultural-religious rights. They encouraged common people to rise and fight against the communal brutalities. Arya Samaj started a people's struggle in the year 1938. It was more of struggle for religious rights than political. 

They brought back hundreds and thousands of women forcibly abducted by Razakars. They had violent skirmishes with Razakars. Shamrao Bodhankar, Kamtikar family, Pandit Narendraji, Gopalshastri Deo, Sheshrao Waghmare, Bhagwanrao Ganjwe, Dhanji Purohit were the prominent figures in this struggle. 

Bhaganagar Satyagraha

In the year 1938, the Hindu Civil Liberties Society, an off shoot of Hindu Mahasabha led by Swatantryaveer Savarkar carried out Bhaganagar Satyagraha. Though it was termed as Satyagraha, they had elements of violent struggle also. 

Vande Mataram 

The Osmania University of Hyderabad established in 1917, only institute of higher education offering courses like medicine and engineering in Urdu medium. It was evident that Muslim students had an advantage over Hindus. Singing of Vande Mataram was banned in the state. 

A separate hall was reserved for Muslim students to offer Namaz. Hindu students demanded a separate hall for them to offer pooja. The University and Nizam state agreed. 

Hindu youth were charged with patriotism and idea of United Bharat. They started singing Vande Mataram along with daily prayers, pooja. Vande Mataram was banned not just because it was some 'foreign creation' but it was a 'Hindu' creation. 

The news of students singing Vande Mataram spread across the state. Hindu students in various schools, colleges in the state started singing it. 

Oppression began with the suspension, termination of students from schools, colleges. The oppressive nature triggered students more, and it led to boycott of schools, colleges. Students were asked to submit an apology for readmission. Students refused. 

Many could not complete their education. Many got into schools, colleges in neighboring British Indian provinces of Central Provinces & Berar and Bombay. Nagpur University accepted many students with open arms. 

Vande Mataram has been the mantra for independence, unity and integrity... 

Part 4: State Congress Satyagraha, Important incidents in the struggle. 

Stay tuned...