Politics of Yesterday is History of Today
Politics of Today will be History of Tomorrow
On 22nd June 1897 three brothers sat out to kill Charles Walter Rand who had unleashed a reign of terror and atrocities while handling the plague outburst in Pune. A meticulous plan was made. But slight misunderstanding in code word, another police officer Lt Charles Ayrest was shot by Balkrishna Chapeker. However the folly was quickly realized and Damodar Chapekar shot Charles Rand. Damodar along with is brothers Balkrishna and Vasudev and their friend Mahadev Ranade were eventually hanged to death. This hanging took place three decades before famous martyrdom of Bhagat Singh. He was not even born when Chapekar brothers were sent to gallows .
On 25th June this year lot was read and hear about LORDS of ’83. Everywhere media – print or electronic – were oozing with CRICKET, with match against Hong Kong being held on same day this year. There was even talks of bollywood actor whose birthday falls on this day.
But hardly a word was heard or read about this fire band batsman, who adorned the crease in two century long match against Imperialist, held in India itself. As the war against autocratic foreign was crumbling, he took the charge and led the massive line up of legendary stalwarts like Rashbihari Bose, Bhagat Singh, Benoy Basu, Dinesh Gupta and many more. They contributed to clinching the trophy of freedom and independence.. Chapekar was to revolutionary freedom fighters what Paji and Mahee are to one-day cricket and its fans. He was the person about whom Lala Lajpat Rai once wrote, “Chapekar brothers were in fact the founders of the revolutionary movement in India. They were the first to invoke Gita in support of political action of kind.” Sister Nivedita, while visiting his house in Chinchwad had said, “A golden statue of Chapekar Brothers be erected at entrance of India, which will inspire the future generations for bravery.”
On evening of 22nd June 1897, Chapekar shot Walter Charles Rand, in-charge of Plague prevention at Pune during outbreak then. In the confusion Lt. Charles Eagerton Ayerst was also shot. Plague broke out in Bombay Presidency during 1896. Presidency government took to prevention on war footing. Even law, "The Epidemic Diseases Act ", was enacted. The act gave sweeping powers to police to carry out search of any house on pretext of Plague prevention. At Pune, government constituted plague prevention committee with Walter Charles Rand as its President. He started plague hospital and even set up epidemic prevention camp. There was mass exodus from city. As people use to avoid reporting of plague, Rand ordered for implementation of Act’s provision to search houses. While Hindu and Muslim soldiers carrying out search ensured to maintain sanctity of sacred places in house, British soldiers totally disregarded it. Rand supported action of soldiers. People were often pulled out of house, undressed in public for examination. There were instances of theft also. The terror then unleashed even led many to commit suicide.
Chapekar were natives of Valneshwar in Konkan. Chape near Jaigad strait in Konkan region was their ancesteral town, from where title Chapekar was derived. Chapekar family moved to Chinchwad on outskirts of Pune in 1830. Damodar was born on 25th June 1869. Balkrishna was born in 1873 and Vasudev in 1879 to Haribhau and Luxmi.
Haribhau use to perform kirtan to earn livelihood. During Chaturmas (period between monsoon to diwalee) the family would shit to Mumbai.All three brothers had very little formal education. Chapekar had aversion for English language. Yet three brothers were well versed in sacred text and even accompany their father to kirtan. Damodar got married to Durga in 1887. Balkrishna to Yamuna in 1890 and Vasudev tied nuptial knot with Sita in 1895. All brothers lived together along with their parents
Chapekar considered Tilak as his guide. One day he poured out his feelings before Tilak about bashing soldiers who were doing the heinous deeds. Tilak told him there was no use of it. As they were merely following the orders of master. The real culprit is Rand. Subsequently talking to his friend Mahadev Ranade and others, Damodar made his intention clear of eliminating Rand.
Eventually on 18th April 1898 Chapekar was hanged. This was followed by hanging of Vasudev on 8th May 1899, Mahadev Ranade on 10th May 1899 and Balkrishna was hanged on 12th May 1899.
Damodar Chapekar was hanged to death for assassinating Rand whose acts were no less draconian than the incidence of Jalianwala Bagh led by Gen Dyer.