Page 48 - NIS English 16-31,March 2023

Nation Amrit Mahotsav

HANUMAN PRASAD PODDAR:

A CASE OF TREASON WAS

FILED AGAINST HIM FOR

LOOTING A WEAPON STOCK

17 September 1892; Died: 22 March 1971

anuman Prasad Poddar, also known as Furthermore, when Pandit Madan Mohan
"Bhai Ji" among his contemporaries, Malviya visited Calcutta to raise funds for the
Hwas born on September 17, 1892. He establishment of Banaras Hindu University,
was a great freedom fighter who contributed Hanuman Prasad Poddar met with many people
significantly to the freedom struggle. Despite and received donations for this mission.
numerous atrocities, he never bowed down He organised the Agrawal youths and founded
before the British. His mind rebelled at the young the Marwari Khadi Prachar Mandal while living
age of 13 against the atrocities of British rule in in Mumbai. Later, with the assistance of his
Calcutta. On July 19, 1905, following Lord Curzon's cousin, Mr. Jaidayal Goyandka, he founded
declaration of Bang Bhang, when the sons of Maa Geeta Press to correct inaccuracies in Hindu
Bharti decided to boycott foreign goods, Bhaiji scriptures and to make books affordable to the
also joined this movement. He began a boycott general public. When the phrase "Geeta Press"
of foreign goods and clothing and began wearing enters one's mind, a picture of India emerges.
khadi and indigenous goods. On July 16, 1914, It is entirely due to the generosity of this great
he was arrested and imprisoned along with three institution that the entire world can now learn
other men on treason charges. It was alleged that about India's great ancient glorious tradition
these people had helped loot the arms stock of and foundational texts. Geeta Press plays an
the British government and then hidden it. important role in making books like Ramcharit
Due to the fear of the British, his well- Manas and Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta available
wishers also abandoned him at this time, but to the general public.
he did not give up and continued his fight. He On March 22, 1971, Hanuman Prasad
joined the freedom movement after meeting Poddar died. On May 15, 2020, Home Minister
freedom movement revolutionaries Arvind Amit Shah paid tribute to Hanuman Prasad
Ghosh, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, and Pt. Poddar by remembering him and saying,
Jhabarmal Sharma in Calcutta. He also met "Hanuman Prasad Poddar is the great leader
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal of the cultural history of modern India." He was
Krishna Gokhale when they visited Calcutta. not only a freedom fighter, but he was also a
He also had the opportunity to meet Mahatma conductor of Indian culture. When the freedom
Gandhi. Later, inspired by Jamnalal Bajaj, he struggle was going on in the country, Bhai Ji
relocated to Mumbai, where he met leaders Hanuman Prasad Poddar laid the foundation
like Veer Savarkar, Netaji Subhash Chandra of publication and journalism by taking Indian
Bose, Mahadev Desai, and Krishnadas Jaju. eternal culture as the basis.

46 New India Samachar March 16-31, 2023