The Bihar phase of Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha, ‘Bapu’s Footsteps’ ended on 14th October. Under the national campaign of love, brotherhood, equality, justice and humanity, Bihar’s Padyatra started on October 7 and continued on the streets of villages and cities of Bihar for eight consecutive days. Walking sticks in their hands, white khadi Gamcha around their neck and bag hanging on their shoulders became the identity of the padyatris. The jatha was singing the songs ‘Dhai Aakhar Prem’, ‘If you change yourself then this whole world will change’, ‘we have come to erase every stain of hatred from India’ while traversing the state.
Young girls were at the forefront of the march holding banners made of Khadi. The Dhai Aakhar symbol of love, the smiling picture of Mahatma Gandhi and the banner decorated with Madhubani painting of Bapu’s footprints was a center of attraction for everyone. A group of about 40-50 people including girls, youth and adults that seemed as if the whole family is walking on that path which is saddened by the sorrows of the world. Who worrny not about themselves but about their country. Love, truth and non-violence are confronting hatred and violence. These young, mature artists are actors, singers, musicians, writers, poets, playwrights, social workers who have brought glory to the country and the state on innumerable national platforms. They are all walking on the streets and giving messages of love.
Talking about the Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha, IPTA’s National General Secretary Tanveer Akhtar said that it is a national campaign of social importance that reemphasizes us to live together, play, read and live one’s life in the best possible way. This campaign is being run in 22 states and union territories of the country. Organizations like IPTA, Progressive Writers Association, Janwadi Writers Association, Jan Sanskriti Manch, Dalit Writers Association are associated with this campaign at the national level with many more organizations are associated at the state level with the total number exceeding 200 which is continuously increasing.
Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha started on 28th September, the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh and will end on 30th January next year on the occasion of Martyrdom Day of Mahatma Gandhi. Emphasising the importance of Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi’s association with this campaign, IPTA National Secretary Shailendra says that this campaign is a message of love for one’s country and countrymen through truth and non-violence. Bhagat Singh, to make the deaf British government listen and Gandhi to make the stubborn government bow down chose the path of Satyagraha and public participation. Today when a strange kind of hatred is being spread in the country, the youth are being encouraged to be hateful and violent. Inhuman violence is happening with women, Dalits and Muslims being persecuted and violence is being done in the name of caste and religion Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh become more relevant once again. The integrity of Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi is what this country needs.
Bapu’s Footprints: Bihar segment
The national cultural jatha Dhai Aakhar Prem Padyatra started from Alwar, Rajasthan on 28th September. In Bihar this journey was named ‘Bapu’s footprints’. In this regard, Bihar IPTA General Secretary Firoz Ashraf Khan informed that Bihar realized that in this time of falsehood and propaganda, the whole world is looking for a Champaran and Gandhi. The Dhai Aakhar Prem Padyatra should be run as a Satyagraha against the cultivation of lies and propaganda being carried out in the form of Neel. Dhai Aakhar Prem Padyatra in Bihar had this central thought. He said that just as the Champaran Satyagraha showed disobedience to the British rule against Teen Kathiya indigo cultivation, similarly the Padayatra of Dhai Aakhar Prem is a cultural expression of disobedience against lies and hatred. We call for truth, love and compassion through drama, song, dance and cultural dialogue.
Beginning of Bihar Jatha
The Bihar phase of the Dhai Aakhar Prem Padyatra started on 7th October at Bankipur Junction(presently Patna Junction). The headstone installed on platform number one in memory of Bapu’s arrival in Bihar was garlanded by IPTA Executive President Rakesh Veda, Bihar Progressive Writers Association General Secretary Ravindra Nath Rai and Bihar IPTA President Board member Sami Ahmed. The padyatris sang songs and weaved a fabric of love with the verses of artists Rahim and Kabir.
The Padyatra started from Patna Youth Hostel after garlanding the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh. It then reached Bhikhari Thakur Rangbhoomi, South Gandhi Maidan. The artists sang folk songs, performed an emotional dance based on Kabir’s poetry and staged a drama.
Addressing the audience, IPTA’s Rakesh Veda said that on the one hand, Dhai Aakhar Prem Ki Padayatra is an attempt to identify the path which teaches love, in the context of the verses of Kabir, Raidas, Rahim, Meera, Raskhan connecting human to human while on the other hand, Gandhi’s Satyagraha calls for standing fearlessly against the politics of lies and hatred. Senior Doctor Satyajit said that the objective of the Jatha is to connect the villages with the city and strengthen the shared cultural heritage. Social activist Rupesh said that artists and literateurs have ensured their role in every era. Be it the Bengal famine or the freedom struggle, the people’s struggle against emergency or the caravan of love against hatred, pen and music have chosen the side of the people.
Yatra reached Muzaffarpur, confluence of literature and culture took place at Bapu Koop.
Dhai Aakhar Prem Padyatra reached Muzaffarpur in the early morning of 8th October and after garlanding the statue of Jaiprakash Narayan at Chhata Chowk, the Padyatra reached Bapu Koop located in Langat Singh College campus. In April 1917, Bapu took bath there before leaving for Motihari. Near Bapu Kup, the yatris sang songs like ‘Prem Ka Bandhan’ and ‘Ganga Ki Kasam, Jamuna Ki Kasam’. Poems were recited and open discussions with the people took place regarding the objectives of the visit. The padyatris then reached Jamalabad Ashram (Musahari Block), where Jai Prakash-Prabhavati Musahari Pravas Swarna Jayanti Samvad Padyatra was concluding. There the comrades met and exchanged their respective objectives through mutual conversation and then left for East Champaran.
Jasauli Patti and the struggle against Teen Kathiya
The Padayatra entered East Champaran as during sunset for its seven day stay and entered Jasauli Patti village of Turkaulia block. Jasauli Patti itself was the nursery of Champaran Satyagraha. Following the orders of Gandhiji, statements of the agitating farmers were written in Jasauli Patti against the British Neelhas. The yatris organised an evening procession in the workplace of Lomraj Singh, a hero of Champaran Satyagraha, and sang songs calling for eradicating every stain of hatred from the country. A large number of women, girls and villagers participated in the cultural event organized in the evening. After a night’s rest, the jatha took a morning walk through Banvirwa, Koirgawan, Kanjhiya, Kotwa Bazaar, Nagar Chowk, Hemant Chhapra, Chihutown, Gair, Amwa, Madhopur Committee Chowk, Sewaria, Turkaulia Chowk, Turkaulia Neem Tree, Koraiya, Matwa, Bishunpurwa. , Sapahi Jatwa, Sapahi Adarsh Chowk, Hadmarav, Vritiya, Sapahi Bazaar, Kodarwan, Chaulanha Chowk, Chaulanha Bazaar Chowk, Ajgari, Pakdiya, Batakh Miyan Ka Mazar, Imdad Siswa East. The walk was completed by 12th october.
Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha entered Motihari city
The Jatha reached Motihari city on the afternoon of 13th October. The campaign was conducted in the sand market of the city and the neighborhood near the NCC camp. After a night’s rest, Prabhat Pheri was organised in the morning on the last day of Bihar segment. A padyatra was taken out through Town Police Station Chowk, Hospital Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Banjariya which shared messages of love. During this, General Secretary of Bihar IPTA, Firoz Ashraf Khan also participated in padyatra and said, “Dhai Aakhar Prem national cultural Jatha reached Motihari city today while marching on the footsteps of Bapu sharing Love, fraternity, equality, justice and humanity. The artists singing the songs gave the message to the common people to love life and create a beautiful world for everyone. Following the footsteps of Bapu, we artists, literateurs and social workers are among the public to talk about love. -As we are moving forward, the distance between us is also increasing. Efforts are being made to destroy the fabric that we were woven into. The people who promote hatred are increasing in numbers. They teach how to fight. We have not come here to fight or talk about fighting.’
Senior journalist and gender activist Naseeruddin, who joined from Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), said that ‘We are trying to follow the footsteps of Bapu and follow it. Following the footsteps of Bapu means walking on the path of truth, non-violence, love and harmony.’
Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, IPTA National Secretary Shailendra, who participated in the padyatra from Jharkhand, said that “Bapu considered himself a Hindu and said it openly. He repeatedly said, ‘I call myself not only a Hindu, but also a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Parsi, Jain or follower of any other sect. This means that I have absorbed the good of all other religions and sects. In this way I avoid all kinds of conflicts and expand the imagination of religion!’ He had said this on January 10, 1947. That is, following one religion does not mean that we should be against other religions. If we want to live together, we will have to live together with love.’
Program coordinator Amar said that ‘Bapu sacrificed his life in the effort of spreading love and harmony. His life was taken by those people who did not want to see us living together. Following Bapu’s footsteps means sacrificing one’s life for others. Don’t take anyone’s life. Let us all remember the essence of love in our lives. Remember non-violence, humility and truth. Because Bapu believed, ‘Truth is God…’
Closing ceremony at Gandhi Museum
The closing ceremony of Dhai Aakhar Prem Bihar segment was organized in the Gandhi Smriti Museum premises on 14th October in the afternoon. The program started with the singing of ‘Hum Hai Iske Maalik Hindustan Hamara’.
While addressing the closing ceremony, senior journalist Naseeruddin who came all the way from Lucknow said that “Today every country needs Gandhi. Be it our country or Palestine, Israel, Canada. Everyone needs Gandhi’s Satyagraha. Our country and the world once again need a Champaran and Gandhi. That Gandhi who taught us to speak truth fearlessly and with love. There is no need for violence, hatred and war. Children want to study, youth need guarantee of employment and everyone needs proportionate share in power, society and development. Therefore, loving humans and speaking the truth boldly is Satyagraha.”
Addressing the program, IPTA’s National Secretary Shailendra said that “Artists, litterateurs, poets, writers, dramatists, song singers, people who laugh and make everyone laugh across the country with the message of love, fraternity, equality, justice and humanity, those who believe in these values are marching in this jatha.” Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha started from Alwar, Rajasthan on 28th September and will end in Delhi on 30th January 2024. Padyatra is being conducted in areas of cultural and social importance in 22 states and union territories. The Bihar phase of this yatra started from October 7 and concluded here. The message of love will be spread across the country.
Social worker Sharad Kumari said that she is the greatest carrier of love and brotherhood. We love and love grows. But they are disturbed by whatever is happening and happened in Manipur. Let us love the women of our home, family and society.
Firoz Ashraf Khan said that the Bihar phase of Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha is an attempt to give the message of love by following the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi. Champaran Satyagraha had opened the way for the country to free itself from British slavery and we call for freedom from violence and hatred through this Dhai Aakhar Prem Padayatra. In this padyatra, we reached Bapu Kup(Langat Singh College) in Muzaffarpur from Bankipur Junction (Patna Junction) and after that the padyatra travelled from village to village in East Champaran for seven days. The message of love was presented through folk songs, drama and dance.
Welcoming Amar Bhai the local coordinator of Dhai Aakhar Prem Padyatra, said that this Padyatra is a journey to connect human to human. At every stop, every intersection, the yatris ate food, drank water and rested. The women, youth and children of the village along with the yatris had made it successful. This is the key to the success of this yatra that on all the routes we have been making people and connect with people.
On this occasion, Brajkishore Singh (Secretary, Gandhi Museum), Dr. Parvez (Chairman, District Peace Committee), Mrs. Shashikala (former Principal, District School), E. Gappu Rai, Barkat Khan, Mumtaz Alam, Gulrez Shahzad (former councilor), Parasnath. (retired teacher), Vinay Kumar Singh (co-convenor, organizing committee, Dhai Aakhar Prem), Kapileshwar Ram, Vinod Kumar, Indrabhushan Raman Bambam, Chandna Jha etc. also participated.
Vote of thanks was given by Mankeshwar Pandey, co-convenor of the organizing committee, who expressed gratitude to the people of Gandhi Smriti Museum and Motihari.
Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha sang ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ under the leadership of Piyush Singh. SS Himanshu sang ‘Tu Khud Ko Badal’, Rajendra Prasad Rai sang ‘Khadiya Pahen Ke Na’ and Lakshmi Yadav sang ‘Bade Chalo Naujawan’ and ‘Kaise Jaibe Hai Sajaniya’. Artists from Madhubani, Siwan and Bhagalpur IPTA performed dances.
The duo of Nisar and Devraj, who came from Raipur (Chhattisgarh), presented the play in Gammat style. Rajan performed a dramatic reading of Bhagat Singh’s last letter. The cultural program concluded with the singing of Shankar Shailendra’s timeless song ‘Tu Zinda Hai Tu Zindagi Ke Jeet Mein Yakin Kar’.
The tireless efforts of the local organizing committee formed and organizing committee by connecting the villagers with the local social workers of Champaran. Organizing committee. Amar Bhai and co-convenors Vinay Kumar Singh and Mankeshwar Pandey were made the coordinator of this committee. Other members of the committee were Hameed Raza, Azhar Hussain Ansari, Digvijay Kumar and Uma Shankar Prasad. This committee tried to make the entire Padyatra a people’s programme. Local villagers, youth and women also marched step by step with the yatris, Collected food from every house and arranged for food and refreshments for the yatris, made arrangements for night stay by bringing bedsheets and cushions from their homes. They provided, whatever best they could and were finally connected with love.
The cultural program enhanced love
Under the coordination of Ritesh Ranjan, SS Himanshu and Piyush Singh, the group of yatris continued for eight consecutive days. Indra Bhushan Raman Bambam organized 35 permanent yatris and 15-20 co-travellers joining every day. Folk songs, dance and drama was the center of attraction. The duo of Nisar and Devraj, created their own identity everywhere by presenting drama in Gammat style. While the troupes from Madhubani, Siwan and Bhagalpur enthralled the villagers with their dance performances, Rajan’s recitation of Bhagat Singh’s last letter thrilled the audience.
Dhai Aakhar Prem National Cultural Jatha in Punjab
After the completion of Bihar would move on to Punjab from 27th October, followed by Uttarakhand, Orissa, Jammu, Uttar Pradesh etc.
– Satyendra Kumar | Translation: Sandhya Rastogi