प्रधानमंत्री की होगी चौरी चौरा शताब्दी समारोह में गरिमामय उपस्थिति

 *PM Modi to inaugurate Chauri Chaura uprising’s centenary celebrations on Thursday* 

*The State Government will highlight the sacrifices of those unsung heroes whose names were consigned to anonymity by the Britishers.*

*Martyrs of Chauri Chaura to get the honor they deserved: CM Yogi*

*Mass recitation of ‘Vande Mataram’ to rent the air. Prabhat Pheris across UP to mark Chauri Chaura’s 100 years, followed by events at all martyrs’ memorials.*

Rajesh  sinha 

*Lucknow, February 3, 2021*

The Chauri Chaura incident occurred at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district of the United Province, (modern Uttar Pradesh) in British India on February 4,  1922. There was a mass demonstration of people against the brutal measures of the Britishers in response to which the police opened fire on them. The following activities led to the death of three civilians and twenty-three policemen. The incident shook the foundation of British Empire in India. Mahatma Gandhi, who was strictly against violence, halted the Non-cooperation Movement on the national level on February 12, 1922, as a direct result of this incident.

Chauri Chaura uprising played a decisive role in giving a new direction to the freedom movement as it became an important reason behind the Revolt of 1857, however, it still failed to gain the recognition it deserved by the historians and writers as no literature gives the detailed record of the incident. 

The Uttar Pradesh CM, has planned a series of events during the whole year to celebrate the ‘Chauri Chaura’ historically. It will be celebrated in a grand way to commemorate all the freedom fighters. In order to instill the feeling of patriotism in youth and to make sure that the new generation is sensitised by the sacrifices made to attain freedom, UP CM has also instructed the officials to make all detailed history of the incidents accessible to the youth.

The events will begin in all districts, from February 4 and will continue till February 4 next year. Along with the beautification of ‘Chauri Chaura Shaheed Memorial’ at Gorakhpur, the area will be developed as a tourist spot. The mass recitation of 'Vande Matram', various cultural events in schools colleges, rendition of inspirational stories, cleanliness drive along with facelifting of all the martyrs’ memorials of the state are few of the planned events which will be kickstarted virtually on February 4 by Prime Minister Modi.

*The Unsung Heroes of Chauri Chaura find their mention in Purvanchal Folk Songs:* 

The Chauri Chaura uprising did not get the recognition it deserved by the historians at the time it took place, however, the people of Purvanchal glorified the valour of freedom fighters and have portrayed their patriotic sentiments through folk songs. 

Among them, ‘‘Komal Veer Mastana, Phunkle Chauri-Chaura Thana’’ and ‘’Sahuakol Mein Komal Taple, Phukle Chaura Thana, Theek Dupahariya Chaura Jar Gayil, Koi  Maram Nahi Jana’’ were once very popular. Apart from this, a poem by Veer Ras, “Bhadke Ahir Gaon ke Saare, Dai Thane Mein Aag Lagaye, Kaat Giraya Thanedaar Ko, Gayi Khabar Hind Mein Chhaye, Faili Ashanti Kuch Bharat Mein, Aandolan Ko Diya Bhagaye, Socha Kuch Ho Shayad Unse Galti Gaye Yahan Par Khaye…………Jara Sochna Dil Ko Bhaaye” is also widely known. 

*Chauri Chaura played major role in expansion of the revolutionary movement:*

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the Chauri Chaura Uprising became incidents of national importance and played a very significant role in giving a new direction to the freedom movement in India. The valour of those bravehearts who lost their lives inspired the others and sparked a desire in them to attain freedom from the oppressive policies of the Britishers. 

Gorakhpur became the home of revolutionaries like Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Lahiri, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, Shachindra Nath Sanyal, Vishwanath Mukherjee and many more. Their ideology was adopted by the other Indians who had a dream of a Free India brimming in their eyes. 

*Shachindra Nath Sanyal took his last breath in Gorakhpur:* 

Shachindra N. Sanyal and all his four brothers made numerous sacrifices in the Indian Freedom Movement. Rabidranath N. Sanyal was involved in the Banaras conspiracy, Jitendra N. Sanyal was convicted on charges of unrest in Benares and Lahore, Bhupendra N. Sanyal was accused in the ‘Kakori Kand’ and Shachindra N. Sanyal spent 25 years of his lifespan of 52 years in prison as he was sentenced to the punishment of ‘kaalapani’ twice with two other cases against him. He took his last breath in the ‘Daudpur’ locality of Gorakhpur.

*The echoes of Chauri Chaura incident were heard in several countries*

After 1857 incident, the Chauri Chaura uprising was the most courageous incident in the history which got publicised in other countries also. In fact,  'Leader', the hindi daily of Prayagraj ( Allahabad), had given vivid details of the incident and termed it as 'unprecedented'  event of freedom struggle in which 23 policemen were burnt alive in Chauri Chaura police station.

   A total of 172  persons were handed death sentence but due to the efforts of Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, who fought cases on their behalf, 151 were saved. Still, the nineteen freedom fighters were hanged while 14 were imprisioned  to life and ten received jail term of eight years each.