Pithoragarh people demand naming of medical college after Prayag Datt Pant
Pithoragarh people demand naming of medical college after Prayag Datt Pant
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Aug 12
As the Independence day approaches, this year, besides remembering all freedom fighters from this border district, people have demanded to name the upcoming medical College in the district after Prayag Datt Pant, the first Gandhian freedom fighter of the district and first leaders from the district who led Congressmen to abolition of ‘Kuli Begar’ agitation organised by the then top Congress leader of Kumaon region Badri Datt Pandey by the Saryu river, at Bageshwar in 1921.
Pant, who led Congress workers from Pithoragarh to ‘Kuli Begar’ abolition movement in 1921 at Bageshwar, was sentenced to 1 years’ rigourous imprisonment for violating prohibitory orders in non-cooperation movement called by Gandhi in 1921.
“After getting released from jail he started activism and took part in nationwide agitation to boycott of Simon Commission in 1927 and Civil Disobedience movement launched by Gandhi in 1930,” said Jugal Kishor,a local social worker.
“Besides remembering all freedom fighters for their contribution in freedom movement, we have decided to send a memorandum to state government to name the medical College after him,” said Jugal Kishor Pandey, a social worker and convenor of the move.
Prayag Datt Pant, who was born in Halpati village of Pithoragarh district, was a student of BA classes in Allahabad University when he left his studies on the call of Mahatma Gandhi and reached his native place to awaken the people for freedom movement.
“Before been successful to aware people to take part against forced ‘Kuli Begar’ prevalent in Kumaon region to facilitate carrying touring British officer’s luggage free of cost by villagers, he worked hard to make aware people despite opposition from British loyalists,” said Pandey.
Born in 1898, Prayag Datt Pant took part in three main Gandhian movements namely ‘Kuli Begar’ abolition movement called by prominent Congress leader of that time, Badri Datt Pandey, opposition of Rowlet Act movement in 1919 and opposition of Simon Commission agitation in 1928.”The British confiscated his property and house for opposing Simon commission in 1928,” said Pandey.
“Amidst sharp opposition from British loyalists spread everywhere that time, he opened a congress office at Huneti village in the then Pithoragarh tehsil and worked towards persuading the people to send their children to schools specially the girls from their families,” said Jugal Kishor.
The first freedom fighter from district, who was hit by a British loyalists during his visit to, Almora, due to which he became mentally disturbed due to injuries and died in 1940 at early age of 42. Former CPI leader Janardhan Pant and nephew of Prayag Datt Pant, during his life time raised the question of honouring the first freedom fighter of district, but failed to get any decision from the government and used to say that due to absence of political will of the government’s and people’s representatives, his ‘Tauji’ could not get his right place. “We are out to take his (Janardan Pant’s) fight to the conclusion,” claimed Jugal Kishor.
