By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Bettiah (Bihar): A new book in Hindi on Pir Mohammad Munis, journalist, Hindi writer and freedom fighter from Bihar’s Champaran district, was launched on Sunday at Bettiah town here in Bihar.
It was largely due to the efforts of Munis, along with Sheikh Gulab and Raj Kumar Shukla that Mahtama Gandhi had come to Champaran in 1917 that led to his historic Champaran Satyagraha against the plight of the indigo planters.
The new book has been written by Delhi-based journalist Afroz Alam Sahil, who is originally from Bettiah. The launch programme was held at Maharaja Harendra Kishor Public Library, Gopal Singh Nepali Sabhagar under the chairmanship of Syed Gulrez Hoda, a 1977 batch IAS officer, and member of Bihar State Planning Board.
“Munis’ work is still relevant today, as the even 100 years after the Champaran Satyagraha, the plight and state of farmers have not changed much. It is important today to remember people like Munis who championed the cause of communal harmony in an atmosphere where there are attempts at communalisation of the society,” Sahil said.
Srikant, senior journalist and director of Jagjivan Ram Institute of Parliamentary Studies & Political Research (JRIPSPR), Patna was the chief speaker. Srikant has also written a book on Munis in Hindi.
Other speakers at the programme included senior journalist Hemant Kumar, Professor Prakash, Om Prakash Kranti, CPI leader and farmer leader, Thakur Prasad Tyagi, who was part of the JP movement, poet and writer Khurshid Anwar.
Sahil said his book was dedicated to all those journalists who selflessly work for the rights of the people and are willing to take on the establishment even to stand for free speech.
Related:
Peer Mohammad Munis: An organic intellectual activist of the Champaran Satyagraha