SP President Akhilesh Yadav.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that 9 August 1942 is a historic and decisive date for India’s freedom movement. On the night of 8 August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave the mantra of do or die for India’s freedom from the British. After the arrest of all the big leaders in the early morning of 9 August, the socialists took charge of the Quit India movement.
Despite the British blockade, Aruna Asif Ali hoisted the tricolour at Bombay’s Gowalia Tank Maidan on 9 August 1942 and started a mass uprising. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Jaiprakash Narayan, Usha Mehta and other socialists together gave new momentum to the Quit India Movement. Ram Manohar Lohia operated an underground radio with Usha Mehta. Jaiprakash Narayan created a new sensation in that revolution by jumping over the wall of Hazaribagh jail.
Akhilesh said that with India’s freedom movement, new milestones of change were set in the country. Those who were Dalit, deprived and exploited got equal rights and respect in the Constitution. Due to the efforts of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, everyone, rich and poor, got equal right to one vote. Akhilesh said that the forces destroying the diversity and social harmony of the country are engaged in spreading hatred today.
