Prabhudayal Vidyarthi

Prabhudayal Vidyarthi (1925 – 7 September 1977) was an Indian freedom fighter, Gandhian social worker, politician, and writer. Seeking Freedom at age 8, he joined the Congress in 1932 at Allahabad. He became a close aide of Gandhi and is historically listed as the youngest dynamic member of the Sevagram community.

Political career (1952–1962) Following India's independence, and at the personal behest of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Vidyarthi transitioned into mainstream electoral politics under the Indian National Congress banner. He successfully contested the historic first Indian General Elections of 1951–52 and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) until 1962, representing the Basti constituency region (which historically encompassed the Bansi territory).

Quit India Movement

Prabhudayal was detained several times during Indian freedom struggle. He actively participated in Quit India Movement 1942. British had put a reward of ₹5000 for his arrest. He was asked to surrender by Gandhi and arrested from Sevagram, age 19, on 9 November 1944 for “actively supporting and helping the underground organisation of the mass movement of August 8, 1942”, The Outset of Quit India Movement.

Prabhudayal's Tryst started after attending a students' meeting held in Wardha in July 1942, when It Was decided that students should participate in any movement that Congress might launch. After the arrest of Gandhi in August 1942, He, despite an arrest warrant against him, absconded and participated in sabotage activities that ensued. He Wrote, Translated, Printed and Distributed Pamphlets under headings "Do or Die” ‘करो या मरो’ ‘खुला विद्रोह’ 'Sangathan' and Gandhi's speech of August 8 and Transported Pistols and Explosives from Bombay to get bombs prepared.

Prabhudayal's Horrific Condition on his release was a Telling story of Torture by British and published in The Hindustan Times titled “Scientific Torture in Red Fort”, on 4 November 1945. as detailed in Gandhi's Correspondence with the British, LETTER TO SIR EVAN M. JENKINS, Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol 88, Page 371 letter no 686. Prabhudayal never recovered from his torture at Red Fort and died, age 52, on 7 September 1977.

Hari Vishnu Kamath of All India Forward Bloc was the first to speak on Extreme Torture of Prabhudayal Vidyarthi said, "However Nothing could be got out of this boy This Soldier of Freedom”, in his public address at Chitins Park, Nagpur, on 17 September 1945, published in The Hitavada on 18 September 1945, before his release on 22 October 1945. and Colonial and Nationalist Truth Regimes by Stephen Legg which must be read with Gandhi's letter exposing torture of Indian Freedom Fighters under British Rule. In rural India Jamindari was still prevalent. He tried to convince local zamindars (landlords) in his endeavour to help farmers get their land back resulting in attempts on his life.

In 1951-52, Jawaharlal Nehru asked him to contest in the First Indian General Elections. He won against Jansangh founding member and UP President Madhav Prasad Tripathi. As a Member of Assembly he changed the Local Agrarian Eco-system and Economy by setting up a wide canal system for irrigation and enabling other progressive measures.

"Banganga Barrage" and "Banganga Canal Major Irrigation Project" (1953–56) were his initial contribution to help the farmers. "Banganga Canal Major Irrigation Project" was completed in three years. A 45 km canal was constructed to irrigate 23,000 acres of land, in conjunction with other extensive public work campaign resulting in construction of barrage and roads to connect villages etc. immediately after Independence. "Banganga Barrage" is a serene place and known by his name as a tribute to him.

Writer Vidyarthi became a prolific writer under the guidance of Gandhi. His books were mainly published by The Pustak Bhandar and His articles would regularly appear in The Hindu, Harijan, Balsakha, and other publications. He wrote his first book on Gandhi in jail and the last Devdoot Gandhi in Free India. His book "Gandhi Amrit Vani" is widely read and freely available online on different portals.

Recognition

A postcard with his photo was issued by Sevagram immediately after his surrender/arrest in connection with "Quit India Movement".

Van Ganga Barage on Van Ganga River is named after Prabhudayal Vidyarthi

The bridge on Farenda Naugarh-Barhni Shravasti Road, Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, is named "Prabhu Dayal Vidyarthi Van Ganga Bridge" to honour his contribution to the Indian freedom struggle.

Karonda Masinas Lake and Udaipur Lake in District Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, are named after Vidyarthi.

'Gandhi ke Vidyarthi Prabhudayal' gives an insight into the life of Vidyarthi before Independence.

'Purvanchal ke Gandhi Prabhudayal Vidayarthi' book by Avinash Kumar Azad was launched in Kapilvastu Festival, Siddharth Nagar. Vidyarthi is remembered with Veterans of INA and as "Purvanchal ke Gandhi" by people in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.