Havan or Yajna on the Eve of Independence: When ‘Saffronisation’ was not an anathema for Congress

Anything which is related with ancient history or ancient tradition of Bharat creates trouble in the minds of Congressites. The latest example is the erection of Sengol in the newly-built Sansad Bhawan, which was handed over to Jawaharlal Nehru by Mountbatten as the symbol of the ‘transfer of power’ in 1947. Jawaharlal, though a ‘Hindu by accident’, accepted that Sengol. But, unfortunately, the Congress leaders are trying to declare it a “fake fact”. What will happen when Congress leaders come to know that Jawaharlal Nehru and some other leaders performed Yajna and gave ‘Ahutis’ in the sacred fire i.e. ‘Havan’ on August 14, 1947, before going to take oath at the time of the ‘transfer of power’. Let me relate the incident that happened on the eve of Independence Day.

On August 15, 1947, leaders of the country were preparing themselves to accept the ruling power of the country. On the midnight of August 14 and 15, the Constituent Assembly was to declare Independence of Bharat. Common people of the country were eager to listen the words ‘Now we are free’.

But the anxiety of some women social workers of Delhi was different. Along with Freedom, our country was being divided into two pieces. Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP, more than half of Punjab and more than half of Bengal were being separated from our country. Lacs of Hindus were butchered in those areas and more than those were displaced from their homes and villages. In this situation to take charge of the Government by the leaders without any sanskar (culture) and parishkar (refinement) would mean the invitation to the evil power to damage the sovereignty of Independent Bharat.

Bharat is a Dharma-Pradhan country and the culture of this country is Yajna Sanskriti. Therefore, those social worker women thought that on August 14, a Yajna Sanskar should be performed and prominent leaders should come and discharge ‘Ahutis’ in the sacred fire (Havan) with their own hands. The names of two women among them were Gopa Bhardwaj and Memobai.

These women first went to Dr Rajendera Prasad and shared their ideas. Rajendra Prasad felt very much pleased with this idea and proposed his own residence for the venue of the ‘Havan’ ceremony. This proposal seemed to the women as a boon because till then they had no idea of any venue in their minds. Thus, their major problem was solved without any tension. So their enthusiasm was doubled.

After the decision of the venue, they began to think about inviting the leaders. Presence of Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru was a must. But how and when to approach them was a big question as both were extremely busy. The most problematic question was regarding Nehru. He might refuse saying ‘what is this nonsense?’ But his presence was most necessary, as he was the person who was going to take oath as the ‘Prime Minister’. If he refused, the whole effort would be of no use. Women workers came to know that Sardar Patel, daily at 5 AM, used to go to Lodi Garden for a morning walk. So, next morning they also reached Lodi Garden and talked to Sardar during his walk. Sardar became very happy and promised to attend the ‘Havan’ ceremony. Women requested him to bring Jawaharlal also along with him. Sardar took this responsibility on himself.

According to Gopa Bhardwaj, “A marquee was erected at Rajendra Babu’s residence. A big Havan Kund was kept under the marquee and all arrangements of ‘Havan’ ceremony were completed. We wandered in the lanes and streets of New Delhi and Old Delhi and approached women folk to assemble at Babuji’s residence on the said day. Dozens of buses were arranged to carry them to that place. Thousands of small flags were prepared to adorn the venue. It was raining upto noon. We were in a fix what to do, if rain did not stop. But thank God, the weather was completely cleared upto 6 PM. About five thousand women from Delhi reached there and the celebration started. Leaders also come in time. Except the leaders, no male was invited. Some males who reached there were not permitted to enter. It was purely a women programme.

We called Rajendra Babu, Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru and asked them to perform worship first. Then they sat in ‘Yajna’. Before going to the Parliament House, some Harijan sisters put the mark (tilak) on their foreheads. After that they were allowed to go to take charge of the country with the good wishes of thousands of sisters.

Nehruji was astonished to see such a big number of sisters. He sat for the Havan, performed ‘ahutis’, put the tilak on his forehead and went. Babuji (Rajendra Prasad) sat for full two and half hours in Yajna. Then went straight to Parliament from there. At 10 PM, the ceremony was completed. Most of the women went to their houses. But we, some of the organisers, remained there till Babuji returned from Parliament House (after 1 PM in the night). The Yajna Vedi remained there for eight days.

Myself, when working for my book Vibhajan Kaleen Bharat ke Sakshi conferred with Shrimati Asha Rani Vora, the veteran Hindi writer, she told me the above story as narrated to her by Gopa Bhardwaj herself in 1997. Asha Rani wrote an article also with the title Jashne Azadi ki Voh Atihasik Rat, which was published in the Sulagate Prashn (agitating questions) of ‘Udaipur’ dated 11-04-1997. Later on, she sent me a photocopy of that article also. The above extracts of Gopa Bhardwaj are taken from Asha Rani’s article.

It is to be noted that in that function no ayah (verse) of the Quran was read, nor any page from the Bible. No Maulvi or ‘Father’ was called. According to modern political terminology, it was a pure Bhagawakaran Programme. And it was organised by the women power of the capital of this country. The most important thing is that the people, who gave it completences, were Dr Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru. Will the Congress leaders of today deny it? I think there is no need for a denial. Instead, they should recognise that Bhagwakaran exists in the very foundation of the political entity of our country.