In News: Department of Posts has issued a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Rajkumar Shukla
About Raj Kumar Shukla
- Raj Kumar Shukla was born on 23rd August 1875 in Satwaria village of Champaran in Bihar.
- During the 31st session of the Congress in Lucknow in 1916, Gandhiji met Raj Kumar Shukla, a representative of farmers from Champaran, who requested him to come and see for himself the miseries of the indigo ryots (tenant farmers) there.
- Raj Kumar Shukla convinced Mahatma Gandhi to visit Champaran.
- Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Champaran with his team of eminent nationalists Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Brajkishore Prasad and the Champaran Satyagraha began.
- He rose to fame for his close association with Gandhiji during the Champaran Satyagraha.
Champaran Satyagraha
- The Champaran peasant movement was Mahatma Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India When Gandhiji
- The Champaran peasant movement was launched in 1917-18.
- Its objective was to create awakening among the peasants against the European planters.
- Gandhiji studied the grievances of the Champaran peasantry.
- The peasants opposed not only the European planters but also the jamindars.
Cause of Satyagraha
- The introduction of synthetic dye, the demand of indigo decreased which led the zamindars or planters to reduce their burden by increasing the rent burden on the peasants, which added to the existing plight of the peasants.
- As the demand of indigo declined, peasants demanded to shift to other crops on the same land.
- Even after the First World War, demand and supply of synthetic fell, the planters did not decrease the rent-burden and compensation.
Outcome of the Satyagrah
- Gandhi led organised protests and strikes against the landlords, who with the guidance of the British government, signed an agreement granting more compensation and control over farming for the poor farmers of the region, and cancellation of revenue hikes and collection until the famine ended.
- It was during this agitation, that first time Gandhi was called Bapu (Father) by Sant raut and Mahatma (Great Soul).
Source: PIB
