From Champaran to Change: Bihar and Bapu’s Legacy
As Bihar gears up for elections amid unsettling news of murders and unrest in recent months, it is worth remembering a time when this land and Bapu shared a bond of trust, respect, and hope. 108 years ago, Mahatma Gandhi first set foot in Muzaffarpur, marking the beginning of the Champaran Satyagraha, a movement that would ignite the nation’s struggle for freedom.
Gandhi’s arrival in Bihar on April 10, 1917, was not just a visit; it was a historic turning point. The peasants of Champaran, burdened under the exploitative Indigo system, looked to him as a saviour. Word of his coming had already spread from village to village, and thousands awaited him at stations and crossroads, their hearts filled with expectation and hope. Bihar, in turn, welcomed him with open arms.
The young Bapu faced scepticism and resistance from the colonial administration. Yet, he stood firm, engaging the officials with clarity and calm, insisting his purpose was service to humanity, not disruption. This steadfastness earned him the respect of the people and laid the foundation of a movement that would inspire India.
Gandhi returned to Bihar two more times, in 1921 and 1934, each visit reinforcing the deep connection between him and the state. Bihar became a milestone in Gandhi’s journey, and Gandhi became a milestone in Bihar’s history. The land that once nurtured struggle and hope became synonymous with courage, empathy, and moral leadership.
Today, as Bihar confronts challenges of violence and political tension, the memory of Bapu’s visits serves as a gentle reminder. This soil, which once witnessed the awakening of justice and trust, carries lessons of dialogue, patience, and unity. Bihar’s future, much like its past, can be guided by the values of love, respect, and collective responsibility that Gandhi embodied.
In this Dussehra season, amid the political fervour and daily headlines, Bihar must pause and remember its enduring relationship with Bapu, a relationship rooted in trust, empathy, and shared purpose. For the spirit of Champaran still whispers in its fields: courage paired with conscience can change history.
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