Did Mahatma Gandhi not make an effort to save Bhagat Singh from the gallows? How was Gandhi’s relationship with his son, Harilal? Did Gandhi ever visit the iconic Birla Mandir? These are some of the questions that may intrigue followers of Gandhi and veteran journalist Vivek Shukla attempts to provide the answers in his tribute to the Father of the Nation in “Gandhi’s Delhi”, published by Anugya Books.
“Indeed, authors across the world are writing on the different aspects of Gandhi’s life. However, I only focussed on his days in Delhi. Since his maiden visit here in 1915, Delhi became his ‘home’. He spent his last 144 days in Delhi at the then Birla house (now Gandhi Smriti). He also lived at Valmiki Mandir, Panchkuian Road for more than 200 days, Harijan Sewak Sangh, Kingsway Camp and at the house of Dr. Ansari at Ansari Road, Darya Ganj,” says Shukla.
According to the book, Delhi saw his last fast, his first and only speech from All India Radio, his delicate ties with Dr. Ambedkar in ‘Two Icons’ chapter, as to how he made an all out effort to save Bhagat Singh from death sentence, his pivotal role in building the Jamia Millia Islamia University and FICCI.
Shukla says, “He inaugurated the Birla Mandir on a condition.
“He told the Birla family that he would inaugurate it only if dalits were allowed entry to the temple. These subjects were almost neglected or ignored by the researchers on Bapu. I thought of doing justice with these subjects.”
The book is different, insists Shukla. “It does not discuss Gandhi till January 30,1948. It goes beyond that. The book reveals some unknown facts about the Birla house becoming Gandhi Smiriti. It tells you in great detail about the making of Rajghat, the architect of Rajghat, the background of Bapu’s statues and murals in the Capital.”
It took Shukla 16 years of research to pen the book. “I have been writing and researching for this book since early 2002. My first article on Gandhi murder case and Tughlaq Road police station was published in The Hindu . That article evoked a huge response from the readers. That was the trigger for me to write a book.”
On his favourite anecdote from the book, Shukla says, “When Bapu became a teacher at the Valmiki Mandir, he used to teach English and Hindi to the youngsters. Even elderly men and women would join his classes. He was a very strict teacher. That black board of his class room has been preserved. I can say Delhi has seen him in the role of a teacher too.”
