FROM THE BLOGGER’S LIBRARY: REMEMBERING K.B.SAHAY:18
Sri Sashi Bhushan Lal an advocate of repute as
well as Lecturer, Rajendra Law College, Hazaribagh, highlights the basic
qualities of Sri K. B. Sahay (Editor)
K. B. Sahay, a sparking son of a Police Inspector, had joined the
independence movement, leaving his brilliant career in 1921 on the call of
Bapu. When he along with eleven other brilliant friends went to the Pradesh
Congress Committee Office, which was then located in a building just adjacent
to the present building of “The Searchlight” (One of the two noted newspapers
published from Patna during those days. The other was “The Indian Nation”. “The
Searchlight” was later taken over by “The Hindustan Times”) to meet Dr.
Rajendra Prasad, here I quote words used by him “when Rajendra Babu came we all
stood before him. Instead of smiling he burst into tears and began to sob. This
was because he felt that he had by asking us to join the Non-Cooperation Movement
had ruined our career, so far as worldly interest was concerned”.
Sri K. B. Sahay was three in one i.e. symbol of patriotism, administrator, and a true representative of the exploited class in society. For K. B. Sahay work was worship. He was also very straight forward. Hence he was termed a man with a caustic tongue and he was greatly misunderstood in the general public as a result. No worldly interest could check him from speaking truth and truth only. He was jailed five times during independence struggle.
Sri K. B. Sahay was elected to the Bihar Legislative Council in 1923 on the Swaraj Party ticket and proved his presence in the House by his vehement criticism of the Government measures. He served Bihar as Parliamentary Secretary in the interim government headed by Late Sri Krishna Sinha and always fought for the poor and neglected class of society.
Sri K. B. Sahay was realistic in his approach and never a proud one as generally people thought of him. I am quoting here his own words about an incident of 1937, when he was Parliamentary Secretary and had visited the Gaya Central Jail. “When in 1937 I became Parliamentary Secretary and visited the Gaya Central Jail, I came face to face with the Sub-Inspector of Police, Tandwa who had demanded a bribe from my barahil who was now imprisoned in jail for committing a rape. The Sub-Inspector felt frightened. I told him that no harm would come to him and when I was seated in the office at the Jail Gate I sent for the Police Sub-Inspector and enquired from him his requirements. He gave a list. I told him that all his requirements would be met and I asked the Jail Superintendent to treat him well. This experience of the Sub-Inspector taught me not to be proud or arrogant”.
Sri K. B. Sahay was the architect of Zamindari Abolition I country for which he will be remembered for his pioneering role in land reforms in the country as one who abolished the Zamindari System. He stirred the hearts of Indian people for fundamental change in the society which shall never die. He was one of the “Makers of Modern Bihar” though he became the worst enemy of the landlords.
Sri K. B. Sahay was a great administrator. Once Sri Babu had remarked that “WITHOUT K.B. NO ADMINISTRATION IN BIHAR IS POSSIBLE”. He served Bihar as Chief Minister for a pretty long time but in 1967 due to his straightforwardness and sticking to his principles became the target of ex-landlords and was defeated. He was a real follower of Mahatma Gandhi and lastly, he was also trying to search people who could think above self because he had seen the quality of simplicity, full of truth and sacrifice in Tana Bhagats and he was their beloved leader. His frequent visit to Hazaribagh during his ministership was the evidence for his weakness for this place and its inhabitants. It was quite natural because he had spent his golden age in Zila School and Saint Columba’s College.
His political career had started from here in the year 1923 and when he was elected from here as a member to the Legislative Council and later from 1963 to 1967 held the Chair of the Chief Minister of Bihar.
Sri K. B. Sahay had irrigated the tree of independence with his blood but due to the then prevailing political situation and unthinkable pressure of works he could not maintain his previous mass contact which resulted in frustration in the hearts of his beloved people of Hazaribagh. This frustration was badly exploited by the ex landlords of Hazaribagh and it resulted in his defeat in the general elections in 1967. The people of Hazaribagh ultimately realized this fact and poured their love and affection on him in 1974 by-elections. I dare to write this because I had an opportunity to move with him when he had contested for M.L.C. from Hazaribagh in the year 1974 elections. I found that everybody of this place even in remote villages was proud to talk to him face to face and even he felt this fact and expressed this to me. The great son of Hazaribagh won this election with thumping majority. This was his last location. His political career ended with this election as he died in a car accident when he was returning from Patna on 03-06-1974.
The name of Sri K. B. Sahay and his works will find place in golden ink in the history of our country and especially of Bihar.
I bow down to the great soil of Hazaribagh and the greatest son of this soil Sri Krishna Ballabh Sahay who is no more when his valuable guidance is so much needed in the present juncture of the country.
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.
- ROSALYN CARTER.
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