The tale of Vidurashwatha firing and flag Satyagraha in Karnataka

Wherever the Indian National Congress campaigned during India' freedom struggle, the Indian tricolour was hoisted as it was a symbol of India's aspirations of Independence. However, the party faced struggles even to hoist the flag. Despite the ban by the British rulers, one flag campaign at Shivpur in Mandya was successful.

Hyderabad: Despite a massive crackdown by the British against the Indian National Congress for hoisting the tri-colour across the country as part of its freedom movement, one flag hoisting campaign in the princely state of Mysore stands out. Shivpura in Karnataka's Mandya district witnessed one of the fiercest campaigns and one of the most brutal massacres of freedom fighters who tried to challenge the British Raj.

The Congress party thought that if the 'flag satyagraha' was organized in Vidurashwatha, many people can be attracted to the freedom movement. However, the British armed police chalked out plans one month in advance to stop the flag satyagraha. On that day of 1938, when the freedom fighters were about to hoist the flag, the police started to lathi-charge the gathering to disperse it. However, protesters retaliated by throwing stones and bricks at the police. More than 32 people were killed in the police firing that followed making them martyrs of the freedom movement.

Historian Professor Gangadhar recalled the incident and said, "For the first time, flag satyagraha was organized in Shivapura of the old Mysore region, but it was successful even though it was banned by the British. Congress activists and leaders from the old Mysore region participated in it. Undoubtedly, this incident gave a new impetus to the freedom struggle".

However, the firing in Vidurashwatha near Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur happened 19 years after the Jallianwala Bagh firing in Punjab. There was a very narrow passage in Vidurashwatha just like Jallianwala Bagh. People could not get out as the route was blocked. The policemen shot through the windows of the hall where many had gathered. So, there was a striking similarity between Jallianwala Bagh and Vidurashwatha. It was later named as Jallianwala Bagh of Karnataka.

The Vidurashwatha firing also aired on the BBC. Mahatma Gandhi was then in Mumbai. Sardar Patel and J. B. Kripalani were sent to Vidurashwatha. The agreement of Mirza-Patel to hoist the Congress flag along with the British flag was done already. The flag was a symbol of the freedom struggle. Congress's ambition was to conduct a campaign with the flag in the forefront.

Professor Gangadhar said, "A message was given to Congress to fight not only against the Britishers but also against princely states subordinated by British in whole India. Mysore campaign was also done as a part of it. Before this firing, Congress was fighting strongly against the British where there was direct British rule. However, Gandhi had called on Congressmen not to fight against princely states. Gandhi Ji was also very fond of the rule of the Maharaja of Mysore and Mirza Ismail. However, after the Vidurashwatha rebellion and firing, Gandhi Ji's opinion changed."

Gandhi then called for a struggle not only against the British but also against the princely states subordinated by the British. This was an important step. Gandhi decided to hold a Congress campaign across India. Vidurashwatha was the reason for that.