Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad unveiled to make their visit to Ballari memorable

Gandhiji stayed at Ballari railway station in 1921 and Dr. Prasad visited Allipur Jail (now VIMS complex) in 1937 to meet Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

As part of the celebrations to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence, the Ballari district administration organised ‘Amirta Bharatige Kannadadarati’ programme on Saturday.

Transport Minister and Ballari In charge B. Sriramulu unveiled the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Rajendra Prasad to make their visits to Ballari memorable.

Gandhiji’s statue was installed near the railway station (in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office) and Dr. Prasad’s statue on the campus of Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS).

“On October 1, 1921, Gandhiji visited Ballari and stayed in the railway station for eight hours. He had advised the Kannada Congress and Telugu Congress units to get united and collectively fight for India’s freedom. His visit had infused new vigour into the freedom movement in the region. Thousands of youths from the area, especially from Kudligi and Kottur had joined the ongoing movement. The movement then spread to other areas including Hadagali, Sanduru, Hosapete and Siruguppa. People from Ballari had actively participated in the salt satyagraha and Quit India movement because of Gandhiji’s visit to the area. Thousands of people fought British rulers and went to jail. The struggle was so intense that jails had become a second home for freedom fighters,” Mr. Sriramulu said.

The Minister held that the installation of Gandhiji’s statue in Ballari would be an inspiration to today’s generation to know the past and fight for the India that Gandhiji had dreamt of.

“I hope that the statue would inspire the people to adopt Gandhiji’s thoughts and encourage them to actively participate in building India that he had dreamt of,” Mr. Sriramulu said.

In remembrance of Dr. Prasad’s visit to Allipur jail complex during the freedom movement, Mr. Sriramulu later later unveiled his statue at VIMS, the place where the former Allipur jail was located.