What was feared has happened today
The administration stopped the Satyagraha
Ram Dheeraj, Nandlal Master, Ashok Sharan, and Jokhan Singh Yadav were arrested
Once again, the Varanasi Commissioner has blatantly violated the Constitution and the rule of law
The peaceful Satyagraha, ongoing for 87 days in front of the Sarva Seva Sangh campus, has once again been disrupted by the administration. Ram Dheeraj, Nandlal Master, Ashok Sharan, and Jokhan Singh Yadav were arrested. This action by the administration is an attack on the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution. It is part of the same chain of attacks that began on July 22, 2023, when the Sarva Seva Sangh campus was seized by Northern Railway in collusion with the local administration. Most of its buildings were demolished on August 12, 2023.
शासन के द्वारा सत्याग्रह को रोका गया –
— Sarva Seva Sangh (@SarvSevaSangh) December 6, 2024
राम धीरज, नंदलाल मास्टर अशोक शरण और जोखन सिंह यादव गिरफ्तार pic.twitter.com/ykvTpv5q4A
We want to clarify that only a handful of officers in the Varanasi administration are causing suffering to the people of Banaras and blatantly violating the law.
Following orders from higher authorities, the Adampur police arrived at the Satyagraha site around 12:00 PM, demanded the end of the Satyagraha, and removed banners, among other items. It is noteworthy that during Vinoba Jayanti on September 11, 2024, the Satyagraha location was set to be in front of the main gate of the campus on Old GT Road. However, at the police’s request, the site was moved to the road leading to Basant College. For the past 86 days, the Satyagraha had been running smoothly.
What suddenly changed that led to its disruption is a significant question. During this period, several festivals, including Dev Deepawali, passed peacefully, even with large gatherings. The satyagrahis sat on the pavement by the roadside, causing no disruption to traffic. At the time of the arrests, there were only four individuals present. This cannot even be considered a violation of Section 144, which was not imposed at this location.
Clearly, the frustration stems from Varanasi Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma. He used the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) to illegally hand over Gandhi Vidya Sansthan to the arts center as part of a hidden agenda to seize Sarva Seva Sangh’s land. When the arts center realized Kaushal Raj Sharma’s ulterior motives, they returned Gandhi Vidya Sansthan. During the Satyagraha, Sarva Seva Sangh highlighted this fact, provoking the commissioner to retaliate.
Chandan Pal, President of Sarva Seva Sangh, who arrived in Varanasi immediately after the arrests, condemned the incident, calling it unfortunate. He stated, “Arresting peaceful satyagrahis is not only irrational but also an attack on fundamental constitutional rights.” Every citizen of India has the fundamental right to express their views peacefully. Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma’s hostile actions are deeply regrettable and reprehensible.
We appeal to Gandhians, individuals dedicated to democracy, organizations, and groups across the country to protest against this incident.
Today’s Fast
On the 87th day of the Satyagraha, Ashok Kumar Sharan, Convener of the Sarva Seva Sangh Khadi Committee, is observing the fast. Jokhan Singh Yadav is also fasting today.
About Ashok Kumar Sharan – Ashok Kumar Sharan has dedicated his life to Gandhian ideology and social service, inheriting this legacy from his father, the late Jaleshwar Nath Sharan, who was associated with Gandhi’s Sevagram Ashram through the All India Spinners Association.
He has served as a Director under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, contributing significantly to the progress of khadi and village industries in multiple states. He also held roles such as Secretary of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh), promoting social initiatives like naturopathy centers, schools, indigenous product showrooms, and gaushalas.
Sharan has been instrumental in child welfare as a Director of Childline India Foundation, operating helpline 1098 in Panipat to assist children in distress. Additionally, he has held various leadership positions in khadi movements and Gandhian institutions, such as Sarva Seva Sangh and Magan Sangrahalaya, a museum founded by Gandhi in 1936.
Currently, he serves as the Secretary of Gandhi Smarak Naturopathy Committee, Rajghat, New Delhi, and remains actively involved in initiatives for health, education, and the environment. His unwavering commitment to Gandhian philosophy inspires society.
Ashok Sharan’s Protest
Ashok Sharan observed a fast on December 6, protesting the forced occupation of Sarva Seva Sangh land and the demolition of its buildings by the Railway Department. He emphasized that the land, purchased with the support of Vinoba Bhave, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad, was forcibly seized by the government—a move no one could have imagined.
Despite numerous petitions, neither the judiciary nor the executive has shown a positive response, making this a prolonged struggle. The Satyagraha aims to raise awareness among the public and urge the government to return Sarva Seva Sangh’s land and compensate for the destruction of buildings, library books, and other properties.
Sharan also called for an impartial investigation into the collusion of senior officials in Varanasi, demanding strict action against those responsible.
This is ironic because, while the central government plans to spend ₹1,200 crore to redevelop Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram, it is simultaneously seizing 12.89 acres of land associated with Gandhi’s legacy. If the government genuinely respects Gandhi’s values, it must resolve this issue promptly.
Gandhi’s Legacy in Peril
The ongoing Satyagraha in front of the Rajghat campus in Varanasi entered its 87th day today. Initiated on Vinoba Jayanti (September 11) under Sarva Seva Sangh’s call, the “Light the Lamps of Justice – 100-Day Satyagraha” will conclude on December 19, 2024.
Today’s Satyagraha included an interfaith prayer meeting and Gita recitation.
Participants included:
Ashok Kumar Sharan, Satyagrahi of the day
Ram Dheeraj, President, Sarva Seva Sangh
Nandlal Master, Lok Samiti leader
Vidya Dhar, senior Gandhian
Suresh Bhai, senior activist
Satyaprakash Bharat, “Ek Kadam Gandhi Ki Ore” leader
Jagriti Rahi, Nandlal Master
Satyagraha Coordinators
Ram Dheeraj
Sarva Seva Sangh