After completing his graduation from Lahore, Sunder Lal Bahuguna advanced the struggle against the Tehri monarchy, following the footsteps of Shri Dev Suman. On January 11, 1948, the killing of Nagendra Saklani and Molu Bhardari by the monarchy ignited a rebellion that culminated in its abolishment on January 14, 1948. A massive crowd carried the martyrs' bodies from Kirtinagar to Tehri. People from all corners of Tehri arrived with rice and lentils for Makar Sankranti. Public outrage was so intense that royal family members had to be confined to Tehri Jail for their safety. That day marked the end of the monarchy and the formation of the Prajamandal or public’s government. Although Bahuguna was appointed a minister, he rejected the offer and instead chose to become the General Secretary of the Congress, then considered the ruling party of a democratic India.
Residing
near Ghantaghar (Clock Tower) at the Congress office, Bahuguna witnessed the
rampant alcohol abuse in Tehri, particularly in the Dalit settlements. Men,
intoxicated, would abuse and assault their families at night. Distressed by
this, Bahuguna began nightly prayer meetings in disadvantaged areas, bringing
along Gandhi's spinning wheel (charkha) to spin the yarn. He emphasised
cleanliness, personally sweeping the area, and taught children basic literacy
under the lantern.
During
the monarchy, only children from selected families' could study at Pratap Inter
College with royal permission. Caste system was still prevalent, even after the
Prajamandal government's formation, old college rules persisted. Vidyanath, the
son of the king's tailor, was admitted to the college and hostel but faced
discrimination. He was made to eat separately in the courtyard, away from supposedly
‘upper-caste’ students. When students Vidyasagar Nautiyal and Kameshwar Prasad
Bahuguna tried to bring him into the dining hall, some students reacted
violently, and the Brahmin cook threatened to break his sacred thread (janeu)
if forced to serve children from disadvantaged backgrounds with low social
status.
Bahuguna
advised the two students to join Vidyanath in eating outside the college
premises as a form of protest. After a few days, they found it unbearable to
eat in the scorching sun and approached Bahuguna again. He invited all three to
live with him, leading to the establishment of the Thakkar Bapa Hostel at the
Congress building in Tehri, promoting caste equality. Later, with community
donations and assistance from students carrying stones and sand from the river
Bhilangna, Bahuguna constructed a dedicated building near the Model School. By
1950, the hostel operated from its new premises. Preliminary batch of students
included Chandra Singh, Bihari Lal, Indra Singh, Mahendra Singh, Barfiya Lal
Junwatha, Anantaram, and Bhavani Bhai. Subsequent notable alumni encompassed
Minister Prasad Naithani, Devilal, Satish Chandra, D.L. Shah, and Premlal Shah.
Thakkar Bapa Chatravas now operates from
Baurari, new Tehri and continues the legacy of Mr and Mrs Banhuguna.
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