# Freedom Fighter Honor Board Missing From Historic Gandhi Speech Site in Balaghat, Indefinite Fast Threat From August 15

> A historic site in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, where Mahatma Gandhi addressed people from a paddy sack stage in 1933, has fallen into neglect with its freedom fighter honor board missing. Anup Singh Bais has warned of an indefinite hunger strike starting August 15 if the board is not restored.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-08-07 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/balaghat-men-mahatma-gandhi-ke-aitihasika-bhashana-sthala-se-gayaba-hua-svatntrata-senaniyon-ka-borda-15-agasta-se-amarana-anashan-14703 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Mahatma Gandhi, Balaghat, Freedom Fighters, Madhya Pradesh, Anup Singh Bais, August 15, Hunger Strike

As India celebrates the 80th anniversary of its independence, the historic heritage associated with the nation's freedom movement in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, faces severe neglect. The historic venue where Mahatma Gandhi once delivered an inspiring speech from a stage made of paddy sacks in 1933 has turned into a shelter for stray animals. Furthermore, the official display board commemorating the names of 365 local freedom fighters has been removed from the platform. Enraged by the municipal administration's inaction, the family members of local freedom fighters have issued a strict ultimatum to launch an indefinite hunger strike starting August 15 if the memorial board is not restored.

## The Historic 1933 Visit and the Paddy Sack Stage
During the height of the struggle against repressive British rule, Mahatma Gandhi undertook extensive nationwide travels to unite citizens for total independence and social reform. In 1933, his journey took him through the Bhandara and Gondia districts of present-day Maharashtra before he entered Balaghat. His procession passed through key local settlements including Lanji, Bhanegaon, Kirnapur, Rajegaon, and Sarekha before reaching Balaghat town. Decorated streets and thousands of cheering residents welcomed Gandhi at every step along the route.

Upon reaching Itwari Ganj in Balaghat, his followers established an impromptu gathering site at Gujri. Due to a lack of formal infrastructure, supporters assembled a unique temporary platform using stacked paddy sacks. From this humble paddy sack stage, Gandhi delivered a compelling speech focused on rallying the youth into the freedom struggle and eradicating the social evil of untouchability. His address deeply moved the local population, leading 365 young men from Balaghat to actively join the frontline of the freedom movement.

## Neglect of Historical Heritage and Missing Honor Board
Following India's independence, effort was made to preserve the memory of Gandhi's visit and honor the regional heroes. A permanent concrete platform was constructed at the exact location in Gujri, featuring a depicted image of Bharat Mata alongside a large display board listing the names of all 365 local freedom fighters.

However, years of administrative indifference have left the landmark in disrepair. While the image of Bharat Mata remains visible on the wall, the memorial board carrying the names of the 365 freedom fighters has disappeared from the site. The concrete structure itself is crumbling, and the area now routinely serves as a gathering spot for stray cattle and roaming animals.

## Anup Singh Bais Demands Restoration and Threatens Hunger Strike
The deteriorating condition of the landmark has drawn intense criticism from Anup Singh Bais, the son of distinguished freedom fighter Gokul Singh Bais. He publicly condemned the municipal administration for removing the commemorative board and allowing a sacred national site to fall into ruins. Bais pointed out that local authorities have repeatedly failed to act on long-standing demands to relocate an old liquor store situated near the historical site.

Expressing deep frustration over local governance, Bais stated that civic authorities waste time debating political matters like the naming of a local railway overbridge, yet remain completely indifferent toward honoring genuine independence heroes. He has warned that unless the administration re-installs the freedom fighters' honor board with full dignity prior to August 15, he will commence an indefinite hunger strike directly at the historic platform on Independence Day.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** Highlights the urgent need for administrative care and preservation of historical landmarks connected to the national freedom movement.
- **In Balaghat:** Increases public pressure on the municipal administration to restore the historic platform and reinstall the honor board before August 15.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When did Mahatma Gandhi deliver his speech in Balaghat?
Mahatma Gandhi visited Balaghat during his nationwide tour in 1933 and addressed the public from a temporary stage made of paddy sacks.

### 2. How many youth from Balaghat joined the freedom struggle after Gandhi's speech?
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's address, 365 local youths from Balaghat actively became freedom fighters.

### 3. What is the controversy regarding the freedom fighters' display board?
The display board listing the names of 365 freedom fighters has gone missing from the historic platform, and the venue has fallen into neglect.

### 4. What threat has Anup Singh Bais issued to the local administration?
Anup Singh Bais, son of freedom fighter Gokul Singh Bais, has warned of an indefinite hunger strike starting August 15 if the honor board is not reinstalled.

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