Those were the days: A fast that garnered nation-wide attention

The division between the church and the state had been a perpetual problem in medieval Europe. Soon after Independence, Madras state too faced the same issues. The temples of Madras presidency were land rich and some even suggested a one-sixth of arable lands were in the hands of the temples and Maths. To rein them in, the Congress government introduced a bill aimed at government control on all the Hindu religious administrations.

Minister TSS Rajan announced, “Just as people demand fundamental rights, a democratic government has fundamental duties to discharge. The state cannot be absolved of regularisation of temple management.”

The state seemed divided on how many roles an elected government should be playing in religion. The opponents claimed the freedom to manage religious affairs and to own and administer properties for charitable purposes was provided by the constituent assembly of free India. India’s first constitution was about to be passed and opposition questioned why the hurry for passing the HRCE bill when its validity in the new constitution might be questioned.

On late January 1949, across the road on the south entrance of the Fort St George on the banks of the Cooum, a sanyasi set up a small tent of four rods and a saffron cloth as the roof above. He maintained silence but answered questions from the gathering pressmen.

News spread that Swami Satyananda Saraswathi had begun a fast unto death wanting a postponement of the introduction of the Hindu religious endowments bill in Madras legislature till the Indian constitution was finalised.

Swami Satyananda Saraswathi, a 49-year-old Telugu Brahmin (earlier called Ganapathy Iyer) before he took up sanyas, had gone to prison several times for the freedom movement. Ironically, he had even served in the espionage department in Baghdad during World War I.

The Sankaracharya of Puri visited the fasting Swami on the fifth day and this garnered him a lot of attention. Women and devotees started thronging the tent to have a darshan and get his blessings. A retired judge of the High Court paid a visit to Swami and told the pressmen, “I’ve met a soul who had such an intense courage of conviction.”

But, there were many objections too. Atheist DK volunteers (in black shirts) shouted slogans from across the road. A biryani fest was organised to irritate the fasting Swami. The protesters pelted stones at him (Swamiji later showed the pressmen his bruises).

The Congress, for half a century, had used fasting as a tool against tyranny but now found itself on the other side of the fence. It did not know how to handle a yogi who used the same stratagem against them. Congress members in the assembly mentioned the ‘coercive fast by an individual’ and threatened hundreds of Congress volunteers would fast to counter that.

As the fast crossed the 10th day, more and more people — both for and against — visited the pandal. The pandal was torn down twice and reinstated. Swamiji had fainted many times and well-wishers appointed an Anglo Indian nurse to monitor him along with doctor visits.

On February 4, the undeterred government went ahead and tabled the bill. “Whatever the future constitution might say, we have under the present constitution, has complete power to undertake this legislation,” it said.

The government was keen to preserve the religious sanctity of the temples and matts. However, they remained firm that the control needed to be in their hand.

Having failed in persuading the government, Swamiji was now at an impasse. The Sankaracharya of Kanchi advised him to quit. But he retorted, saying, “Since I have failed to arouse our madathipathis and our society there is no purpose left for me on this earth,” and continued his fast. When the fast entered the 20th day, the Governor General, Rajaji, requested Swamiji, who acceded.

The breaking of the fast ceremony was to be held in Gokhale Hall and pressmen had gathered for some juicy statements. The meeting went on peacefully only for 10 minutes. Rotten eggs, torn footwear and stones were pelted on the stage and police had to intervene when pandemonium prevailed.

Swamiji’s peaceful fast had a rather chaotic end. Dravidian protestors shouted, ‘long live Periyar’ and climbed the stage and jostled him, even breaking his chair and bowl. Swamiji must have retired for he was never seen in public activities thereafter.