THE PROMOTION OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE HINDI MADE GANDHI AND RAJGOPALICHARI RELATIVES

THE PROMOTION OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE HINDI MADE GANDHI AND RAJGOPALICHARI RELATIVES

14-SEP-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------Mahatma Gandhi wrote his much talked about book 'Hind Swaraj' in Gujarati during his sea voyage from England to South Africa. But, in this book also he has accepted Hindi as the national language. Mahatma Gandhi was always alert, conscious and active for the promotion, spread and expansion of Hindi.

With the aim of public awakening through the promotion of Hindi language, Mahatma Gandhi laid the foundation of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in 1918 and he remained the president of this organization throughout his life. Gandhiji's son Devdas Gandhi became the first Hindi propagator.

When Devdas Gandhi went to Madras (now Chennai) as the first propagator of Hindi in South India, he stayed at the house of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi. At that time, Devdas Gandhi was 18 years old and Rajaji's (Chakravarti Rajagopalachari) younger daughter Lakshmi would have been at most 5-6 years old.

Devdas Gandhi used to visit Rajaji frequently in the context of promotion, propagation and expansion of national language Hindi and Rajaji also used to visit Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram from time to time. He often used to leave his younger daughter Laxmi under the protection and guardianship of Kasturba. Ten years passed in this sequence of visits. In 1928, Devdas Gandhi was a mature youth and Laxmi was a 15-year-old teenager. Both Devdas and Laxmi felt that at the level of feelings, both of them were tied in the web of love. Probably, it was Devdas who took the initiative. He expressed his feelings and desire to his father Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhiji was against inter-caste and inter-religious marriages in the early years of his public life. When Devdas told his father about his wish, not only Gandhiji was stunned but Rajagopalachari was also shocked. Neither Gandhi nor Rajagopalachari were in favour of this marriage. Rajagopalachari certainly liked Devdas but he clearly said that he would not want him to marry Lakshmi in this way. The decisions of both the parents were shocking for Devdas. His condition became like that of a lunatic. All he could see was Lakshmi day and night. Lakshmi herself was not ready to go against her father's decision. Gandhiji was also not able to see Devdas' condition. He wrote a letter to a family friend Surendra regarding this, who also had an influence on Devdas and was also close to Rajagopalachari. This letter has been mentioned in Gopalkrishna Gandhi's book "My Dear Bapu: Letters from C Rajagopalachari to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi". Mahatma Gandhi had written to Surendra - "There is no effect on Lakshmi, but Devdas' condition is definitely bad. He takes Lakshmi's name again and again. Rajaji is also not in favour of this. If Devdas takes God's name so much, he will become a saint. He is listening to me but his soul must be rebelling against him. He must be feeling that I have stood against this marriage. That is why he must be getting angry with me."

"I don't know when he will come out of this condition, try to help him, calm him down. Tell him about your religion. It is possible that I have not been able to understand him and I have done injustice, see how you can calm him down. I am also writing a letter to him. The desires that are growing in his mind can be the root of many diseases. Impure desires destroy a person." "It is not bad to love, but his mind is full of sexual desires. Right now he is not able to see it clearly but sexual desires will destroy him."

Gandhiji wrote this letter from Sri Lanka. Meanwhile he also corresponded with C Rajagopalachari. Both agreed that for now, to postpone this marriage, they should put a condition in front of Devdas to stay away from Lakshmi for five years and not have any contact with her. If even then both of them do not relent, then they will see what to do.

When Gandhiji returned from Sri Lanka, he went on a tour of Odisha. Ba who had gone with him came to Wardha Ashram, where Devdas was. Devdas had undergone an operation. Ba got busy taking care of her son. Anyway, Ba herself was also not in favor of inter-caste marriage.

In view of the condition of Mahatma Gandhi and Rajaji, Devdas really kept himself completely away from Lakshmi for five years. Even if Lakshmi came to Gandhiji's ashram, Devdas would not meet her. Meanwhile, Gandhiji's view on inter-caste marriage also changed. When Gandhiji's mind changed, Rajagopalachari also ended his opposition to this marriage. He also started seeing Devdas as his son-in-law. As for Kasturba Gandhi, i.e. Ba, she kept aside her old beliefs and agreed to this marriage. Later, Ba mostly stayed at Devdas and Lakshmi's house in Delhi.

Finally, in June 1933, Gandhiji and Rajagopalachari decided to get them married. What could have been a happier thing for Devdas and Lakshmi than this. The marriage took place in a simple manner in Pune. Apart from both the families, some senior leaders of Congress were also present. On the occasion of the marriage Mahatma Gandhi addressed his daughter-in-law Lakshmi in the following words:

"Lakshmi, I need not say much. I am confident that Devdas will prove a worthy husband for you. From the time I have seen and known you, I feel that you have justified your name. May your marriage strengthen the growing bond of affection between Rajaji and me. I There is no need to stress the peculiar rites under which this marriage is being celebrated. It is essentially a religious act and I wish that it may prove to be a means to both of you in the better discharge of your duties. I would have had nothing to do with this marriage if I did not know that it is in accordance with Dharma and is the result of pure penance performed by both of you to obtain our approval and blessings, which you now richly deserve. It has taken a lot of effort on my part to say these few words, but I thought it necessary to bless you and warn you of the great responsibility you are taking upon yourself. May God protect you. He alone protects, for He is Father, Mother, Friend and all things put together. May your lives be devoted to the service of the motherland and through it humanity. May you both always remain humble and walk in the fear of God."

And then to his son Devdas: "You have today snatched a priceless jewel from Rajaji. May God make you worthy of it and treasure it. She is Lakshmi herself. Protect her as you would Lakshmi, the goddess of all goodness and beauty. May you both live long and follow the footsteps of Dharma. You should live for Dharma and when the occasion arises, have the courage to sacrifice your life. From today, may your life be dedicated to the service of the country and may you never indulge yourself in useless pleasures, this is my blessing and my heartfelt hope and wish." After marriage, Devdas and Lakshmi lived a very good life. He was the successful editor of Hindustan Times. Devdas died on 3 August 1957 at the age of 57.

Devdas had three sons and a daughter - Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Rajmohan Gandhi, Ramchandra Gandhi and Tara Gandhi. Gopalkrishna was an IAS and diplomat and also the Governor of Bengal. He was the UPA's Vice Presidential candidate against Venkaiah Naidu, but he had to face defeat. Rajmohan was a writer and journalist and also a member of the Rajya Sabha. Ramchandra Gandhi was a professor of philosophy. Daughter Tara married economist Jyoti Bhattacharya. She is associated with Gandhi Smriti.