Most respected Friends and colleagues of Gandhian and like minded Organizations.
Jai Jagat.
You all must be aware that the Center of Gandhian activities in Varanasi, run by the Sarva Seva Sangh (Akhil Bharat Sarvodaya Mandal), has been demolished illegally. With the inspiration of Acharya Vinoba Bhave and the support of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Babu Jagjivan Ram, the Sadhana Kendra of Sarva Seva Sangh was established on the land purchased in 1960, 1961, 1970 by the All India Sarva Seva Sangh at Rajghat in Varanasi. The publication department of Sarva Seva Sangh was operated from there. This sacred heritage was illegally and unjustly occupied by the Varanasi District and Railway Administration on 22 July 2023 last year with the help of police. Then on 12 August 2023, most of the buildings were demolished without any court order. At the same time, the Gandhi Vidya Sansthan (Gandhian Institute of Studies), established with the inspiration of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, was fraudulently handed over to the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts in Delhi. One year has passed since this barbaric and inhuman incident. Sarva Seva Sangh is continuously protesting against this terrible injustice at both legal and ground levels.
On the occasion of completion of one year of destruction, we are conducting a 100-day Satyagraha from 11 September 2024, Acharya Vinoba Jayanti, in front of the gate of Sarva Seva Sangh in Varanasi, taking a pledge of reconstruction. Almost all the states of the country are enthusiastically supporting the Satyagraha. Every day from 6 am to 6 pm, Satyagrahis from at least one district of many states of the country are participating in the fast. So far, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh have participated in the fast. And not only Sarvodaya of the states, but also like-minded organizations and eminent citizens have contributed as Satyagrahis. Today the 45th day of the Satyagraha is being completed. Friends from many other states are also ready to contribute to the Satyagraha. The Satyagraha of lighting the lamp of justice is maintaining continuity.
On such occasions, all the Gandhians of the country, Gandhi institutions and the workers of all like-minded organizations who believe in Gandhi-Vinoba-Jayaprakash feel the need to wake up. After the completion of 100 days of Satyagraha, what should be the next policy of our movement, which program do we want to adopt, you all should think about it, give us suggestions. Those who can, should either attend the program in Varanasi or at their place in support.
We believe that this is not just a question of Sarva Seva Sangh, but it is a diplomacy to wipe out the ideas and legacy of Gandhi-Vinoba-Jayaprakash. Just as the government took over Sabarmati Ashram and Gujarat Vidyapeeth, similarly, Sarva Seva Sangh has also been attacked.
We humbly appeal to you that all Gandhians and followers of Gandhi across the country should take this matter seriously. Provide all kinds of help to this national movement beyond your means. Also, hold protest meetings and rallies against illegal occupation in your respective cities and villages. More and more people should stand up for justice from every corner of the country against the corporate and destructive system in the name of development. Let the voice of truth and non-violence resound. Come, join us to save Gandhi’s ideology and legacy.
With respect and honour to you all.
Chandan Pal, President, Sarva Seva Sangh