East Champaran News: Burglars keep an eye on dilapidated JP Ashram, administration silent even after complaint - east champaran news jp ashram breach threatens loknayak jayaprakash narayans legacy

Aditya Kumar Singh, Patahi. JP Ashram located at Patahi block headquarters, associated with the memory of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan, the hero of the entire revolution, is now becoming a victim of neglect and encroachment. The place where the plans for revolution were made years ago is occupied today by placing sand and stones there. The ashram premises became a pasture for animals. Local people gradually started to occupy the land of JP Ashram. Intrusion is attempted by placing sand and stones near the main gate. Jayaprakash Narayan, after giving the slogan of Total Revolution in Patna on June 5, 1974, is said to have come to Patahi during his field visit. A large gathering was held in Patahi Bazaar during the emergency. When the movement turned violent, the agitators surrounded the zonal and block offices. When the situation went out of control, the then zonal officer opened fire on the agitators. Three youths from Patahi were tortured in this incident. Influenced by JP’s thoughts, Late Khutauna resident of Betauna Panchayat. Awadhesh Singh donated six cattas of land for JP Ashram. This land is also registered in the name of Bihar Government. Four rooms were built on that plot, where meetings of revolutionaries and programs of public interest were held under the leadership of JP. Over time, this place became a victim of neglect. Neither the administration took any initiative nor the public representatives tried to save this historical heritage. Today the situation is such that the identity of JP Ashram is being obliterated. Local people are demanding that the state government inspect this site and free it from encroachment. Also, by preserving the memories of JP, it should be preserved, so that the coming generations can relate to the history. What do they say Sukhari Mehta of Rupani village in rural Patahi says that during the assembly elections Netaji promised that this site will be developed five years ago but now five years have passed and no work has been done. For this reason, people gradually began to occupy this land. The apathy of the administration made the situation more serious. Manish Kumar of Patahi says that this land of JP Ashram is gradually under occupation. The administration is silent even after complaining several times. Now we will raise this issue in the election. The candidate who talks about saving JP’s legacy will be our public representative. At the same time Prem Shankar Tiwari of Maharani Tola says that respected ji and officers pass through this route every day but keep a blind eye. We have all decided that this issue will be raised first in the election this time. The candidate will be asked directly what his/her plan is to protect this land. Shivam Kumar of Panchgachia village said that JP Ashram is not just a place but a symbol of the ideology of Loknayak. Now this land falls into private ownership. This time we are going from town to town to make people aware so that this issue is strongly raised in the elections. Rahul Kumar of Nanhkar says that the land of JP Ashram is gradually being encroached upon. But the administrative officials do not look into this. Now the leader is not paying any attention to this issue which has become a cause of concern for the local people.