Vidyarthi was a true idealist and dauntless battler against all kinds of injustice. Besides using pen in this respect he did not hesitate in physical intervention as well whenever required. He took it as his moral duty. The following incident a typical example.
Once the annual fair of Bithoor was on. Thousands of people used to go to this fair from Kanpur every year. In that year railway department had announced the introduction of a special train for the convenience of the public. The people made advance bookings.
On due date the people reached Kanpur railway station. For some reason the special train failed to arrive. The people raised voice of protest.
The railway authorities confabulated and a goods train was put in service. Seeing no other alternative the people began to load themselves into the train bogies.
Vidyarthi was also going to the Bithoor fair and he also had made the advance booking. At the railway station he found no trace of the special train. He saw people loading themselves on a goods train like cattle.
It amused and puzzled Vidyarthi. He went to the train and asked the persons what was going on and why the people were getting themselves on like cattle.
He was told that the goods train was the substituate for the special train to Bithoor earlier announced by the railways.
It enraged Vidyarthi.
He marched into the office of the Station Master and enquired about the special train. He was told that as the special train could not be arranged the goods train will carry the people to the fair. Vidyarthi protested against the injustice. But it made no impression on the railway official. Vidyarthi threatened to hold a protest demonstration.
The station master retaliated, “Do whatever you like. We don’t have any passenger train. You people will have to use the goods train.”
“That is very unfair,” Vidyarthi protested and added, “If you had no special train why did you make the announcement?”
“We did whatever we have been ordered from above. You may go by the goods train or go back to your home.”
“We have tickets for the special train to Bithoor. We shall go by it. We shall not use your cattle train,” Vidyarthi firmly said.
“You may go or not go. We don’t have any other train for you,” Station Master arrogantly said.
“Alright, if you don’t have any train return our money. We don’t want your cattle train.”
“The fare will not be refunded,” the official made it clear, “The train is ready. Use it.”
“It is cattle train and we are not cattle.”
“Whatever. Travel on it.”
“No, never!” Vidyarthi put his foot down and insisted, “Arrange the special train or refund the fare.”
No party was willing to back out. The railway officer had made it a prestige issue. In belligerent mood Vidyarthi walked off to the platform where the people were still trying to load themselves into the bogies. He screamed to them, “Brothers! Listen to me. We are not cattle or bags of potatoes to be carried by a goods train. Aren’t we human beings.”
His scream caught the attention of the crowd. The people looked towards him. He yelled, “We have bought tickets for the special train. Why should we travel by a goods train?”
A few in the crowd spoke out in agreement. “Yes, we should not be treated like cattle.”
“We shall go only by the special train,” Vidyarthi added encouraging the protesters. The people began to crowd around him as he announced, “Yes, we shall go by the special train. It is the duty of the railway officials to arrange for the train.”
The people raised their hands to show their support. Those who had got on the train also got off and milled around Vidyarthi.
And with that slogan shouting began.
Meanwhile the Station Master ordered, “The driver will steam off the train.”
The guard signalled and waved green flag. The train whistled. Some people were still on the train. The driver tried to depart with them.
Vidyarthi noticed it.
He jumped off the platform and stood before the engine to block its departure. Several others followed suit. Among them was Vidyarthi’s associate Bhai Bal Krishana.
The slogans were ranting the air.
Amid this confusion the driver gave another long whistle. The train began to crawl. Seeing the train advancing at them some chicken hearted demonstrates withdrew from the track and jumped up on to the railway platform.
The people looked frightened and panicky. More people left the track. But Ganesh Shankara Vidyarthi was not the one to back out. He stood his ground in do-or-die spirit.
For once it looked that the train would pass on crushing down Vidyarthi. Some people shouted to him to leave the track. But he ignored the calls and dared the train to come at him.
At last his courage won.
The driver had to brake the train to stop.
The people hailed Vidyarthi and raised slogans in his support. Meanwhile the Station Master arrived there and he apologized and agreed to refund the fare to all the passengers.
