Vitthalrao Yalgi’s Struggle For India’s Independence

“Nation’s Freedom is one thing which you cannot compare with anything else in the world, it is Invaluable and we should respect it”.

-Vitthalrao Yalgi

It has been more than seven decades since our country’s independence. Living in the 21st century, the stories of freedom fighters and their struggles have more or less faded as heroic tales and adventures. So, for the occasion of Independence Day, I met Vitthalrao Yalgi, a freedom fighter from Belgaum, to know what it was like to live during India’s Independence movement. As I sat there listening to his story, it felt as though I was back in time. Reliving an era I hadn’t lived in and witnessing events through his memories. 

The stories he shared were so inspiring that I had to write about it. So, here’s an extended feature about the life of an Indian Freedom Fighter – Vitthalrao Yalgi.

His Early Life

Born to Krishnarao and Shanta Yalgi on 12th December 1926, in Belgaum, Vitthalrao Yalgi grew up in a family of freedom fighters. The Yalgis were primarily gold and silver merchants. Vitthalrao had 10 siblings. Gajanan, one of his brothers, became the 1st Pilot from Belgaum in 1938 who became a part of the independence movement despite getting selected in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Such was the dedication of the Yalgi family towards attaining freedom. His other siblings were Vasantrao, Hanamantrao, Aravindrao (who later became principal of RPD College), Abhay, Malati, Pramila, Mandakini, Sudha, and Vijaya.

Vitthalrao did his pre-primary from Nagzari School, Primary from Rajput Bandhu School, and Secondary from Tilakwadi High School. After 10th grade, he did a Diploma in Electrical Engineering as it was his field of interest. 

Vitthalrao & Mahatma Gandhi

In 1936 when Vitthalrao was a 9-year old, his father took him to see Gandhiji who had come to Tilakwadi. Vitthalrao remembers Gandhiji making him sit on his lap, and then jovially asking his name in Hindi. Since young Vitthalrao couldn’t speak fluent Hindi, he simply said “Vitthal”. Gandhiji then laughed saying “I know one Vitthal from Pandharpur” and handed him a fruit. 

Cherishing his memory of Gandhiji, he recollected another incident a year later, in 1937. Gandhi Seva Sammelan (a conference with Gandhiji) was organized at Gangadharrao Dheshpande’s native, Hudali. Wanting to see Gandhiji again, Vitthalrao boarded a train to Suldhal station alone, from where he had to walk to Hudali. With no money to even pay for the train ticket, he somehow managed to reach the conference. He didn’t have much idea about the gathering, but he was happy to be there just to see Gandhiji. Later when Gandhiji, Kasturba and their followers walked to a nearby village, Vitthalrao too accompanied them. His father’s friend, Pundalikji Katagade – renowned freedom fighter,  found him at the gathering and brought him home the following day.

Govindrao Yalgi – The Family’s Torch Bearer 

Being a part of the Yalgi family, Vitthalrao spoke proudly of his uncle Govindrao Yalgi, who was a social worker and a strong follower of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Govindrao did a Satyagraha in 1905 in Khade Bazar, Belgaum to ban liquor. For which he was fined and jailed for 8 days. Bal Gangadhar Tilak paid the fine to release him and asked him to join the movement.

Govindrao Yalgi then started the first Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav in Belgaum in 1905, which served as a way to gather people from all the communities against the British Ban on Hindu gatherings. Following which, in 1906 Bal Gangadhar Tilak Visited Belgaum on Ganesh Chaturthi to celebrate Sarvajanik Ganesh Ustav on a larger scale. The first Sarvajanik Shivajayanti Ustsav in Belgaum was also started by Govindrao Yalgi.

Known for his bravado, Govindrao once saved Gangadharrao Deshpande (a senior freedom fighter) intelligently from being punished by the court on a false allegation. He also took the responsibility of Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s safety in Surat.

Times During The Quit India Movement

Following Gandhi’s Quit India movement, the British arrested leaders from all over India on 9th August 1942. Vitthalro’s father Krishnarao Yalgi and his uncle Jeevanrao Yalgi were arrested from their home and sent to jail. Later that day, his brother Aravindrao Yalgi too was arrested along with other freedom fighters for violating a ban on public speech and speaking out at Subhash Maidan, which is today known as Lele Ground in Belgaum. They were to be imprisoned for 2.5 years but it was later reduced by the Higher court after an appeal. After being released, they continued to work against the British.

The Uprising Of A Secret Union By The Younger Generation

When the leaders were arrested, Vithalrao Yalgi and his brothers felt the need to dedicate their lives for the nation. They established a secret union of 16 members which included Vitthalrao Yalgi, Dattopant, Venkatesraoh (aka Nanasaheb), Anantrao Yalgi,  Vishnupant Shinde, Govind Karekar and others. The Union was led by Gajanan Yalgi and Anantrao Yalgi. To oppose British rule, they openly organized Prabhat Pheri (morning processions) singing Vande Mataram. They made copies of daily bulletins against the British using cyclostyle machines and distributed them. They even revolted against the imperialistic institutions by robbing a post office, making and using bombs to scare Britishers, and once derailed a goods-train. But throughout their revolutionary practices, they ensured there was no harm to life. 

When Vitthalrao was in Thalakwadi High School he made a new rule for students to sing at least one stanza of Vande Mataram before entering the classroom. For which Vitthalrao was sternly warned by the headmaster fearing the Britishers would shut down the school for such acts. He even hoisted the flag on Thalakwadi High School Building, which was later removed by a guard. He continued hoisting the flag time and again until they gave up and let the flag wave. 

On one occasion in September of 1942, when Vitthalrao was about 15 years old, he decided to hoist the tricolour atop Belgaum Native General Library, along with Gajanan Yalgi and their friend Damodar Vishu Kamat. So they climbed the building despite the rain and slippery tiles. After carefully manoeuvring to the top, they hoisted the flag at midnight. The police were on patrolling duty but they didn’t notice the feat the trio had achieved. It was only in the morning that they saw the flag but could not remove it. While narrating Vitthalrao Yalgi said, “Had I slipped to fall, I would have died. But, we were determined to do it for the cause”. The building today is known as Sarvajanik Vachanalay Building in Ganpati Galli, Belgaum.

Attacking A Police Chowki

On 16 March 1943, the 16-member group attacked Thalakwadi Police Chowki, which came under the British Cantonment Police Station, Camp. They had the uniforms of the officials removed, confiscated their guns and threw the guns in Congress Well (a well-known place in Belgaum). They were arrested for the act and were kept in Camp Police Station for 15 days in a very small room. The days went by, but during the nights the tortures began. They were called out one after another and made to sleep naked on ice slabs, later hit brutally and forced to confess the crime”. Ultimately the British couldn’t break them in spite of their brutality. They were then moved to a prison cell in Belgaum Fort (which was a temporary jail) and later shifted to Hindalga Jail.

The court trial went on for several months. They were punished by a Lower court which was appealed in Session court. The Session Court Judge Purushottam Mangesh Lad was a patriot who studied the case day and night, to figure out a way in releasing the young freedom fighters. Even though the Judge served the courts under British rule, he too strived towards the well being of the freedom fighters by helping them. The judge’s hard work eventually paid off and they were released as per the law.

The Dawn Of Independence

In 1946, after years of struggles, the British agreed to release all the freedom fighters who were imprisoned. A year later, the day had finally arrived for Independence. 15th of August 1947. The historic day which declared India free from a foreign rule, but at the cost of the struggles and martyrdom of many brave freedom fighters. 

At the Belgaum Commissioner Office, Vitthalrao witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising of the Tiranga in an independent India. As the crowd bustled with joyful celebration, Vitthalrao’s eyes moistened with happiness. He hadn’t just witnessed a historic ceremony, he also saw a future with freedom. 

Life After Independence

At the time of Independence, Vitthalrao was about 20 years old. He ventured into his own business by opening a Radio & Electrical shop which was inaugurated by Gangadharrao Deshpande. And later got married to Shashikala Tendolkar, and has two sons and two daughters.

Today, Vitthalrao is 93 years old and is fondly called Vitthu Kaka. He is an active member of Vangmay Charcha Mandal, a library and place for Social and Cultural activities in Belgaum and serving as Natyashakha Chitnis, a secretary for Drama and Theatre. He has acted and directed dramas having a keen interest in dramas, and dramatic music. He celebrates “Rangbhoomi Din” every year with a lot of enthusiasm. 

He has also worked hard to get the pension for other freedom fighters in Belgaum. He is sure to visit Hutatma Chowk, Belgaum, a square in the city as a tribute to martyrs on 9th August, 15th August, and 26th January; and Nargundkar Bhave Samadhi on 12th June, every year to pay tribute to martyrs.

For his contributions as a freedom fighter, he was honoured by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 2003, at Goa; in 2007, he got his recognition from President Pratibha Patil, in Delhi and by many other associations over the years. Recently, he received ‘Belgaon Bhushan’ – 2020 by Saraswati Vachanalay, Belgaum. 

His Message From One Generation To Another

When asked about Vitthalrao’s advice for the youth of today’s generation, here is what he had to say, “Now that we have got the freedom, it is your responsibility to work towards safeguarding it. Think about how India will be a magnificent country and act accordingly. Things like corruption should stop, and you have to work towards it. Only then India will develop.”

“We only had one thought and that is Independent India. Many left schools, colleges, and so on, for the cause. We never cared for our lives. Many people helped us during all this because they loved the nation more than anything. We have to remember their deeds and regard them with respect”, he added.

Vitthalrao Yalgi’s grandson, Sanket Kulkarni, who spent his childhood listening to stories of Independence Struggle says, “I am lucky because those stories made me realize the importance of Independence. Being from this generation I feel one should try and know at least a few things about the struggle for independence, if not everything about it”.

As I concluded the interview, I was overwhelmed by Vitthalrao sir’s passion for his country. He was kind and generous in sharing his memories with enthusiasm. 

So, on the occasion of Independence Day, let’s celebrate freedom honouring our freedom fighters like Vitthalrao Yalgi. It now becomes our responsibility to build a better future for India, remembering the sacrifices of our past.