Jayanand Bharati (17 October 1881–9 September 1952) was a freedom fighter of India and a pioneer of social consciousness. He started the Dola-Palanki movement. This was the movement in which the bride and groom of the craftsmen were to be restored the right to sit in the Dola-Palanki. To solve this movement which lasted for almost 20 years, Bharti Ji filed a case in the Allahabad High Court on 28 August 1930. He inspired students for the freedom movement by hoisting the tricolor on the building of the Jaiharikhal Government School and giving a speech against the oppression of the British rule. The incident of showing the black flag to Governor Malcolm Haley took place at this time.
It was at this time that the then British Governor Malcolm Haley was visiting Pauri. On hearing this news, Ram Prasad Nautiyal and his team planned to show black flags to the governor and boycott him.
Jayanand Bharti was chosen to carry out this work, young Jayanand had a lot of enthusiasm, and he gave his consent. His acquaintance Nautiyal Ji went to Pauri with him, where Bharti Ji waved the black flag in front of the governor and proclaimed ‘VandeMataram,’ raising slogans of ‘Governor go back.’ He was arrested by the police, and for this, he was sentenced to one year’s rigorous imprisonment.
Before the second round of the Civil Disobedience Movement, prominent leaders of Congress had been arrested. A deep silence had prevailed amongst the people of Pauri, resulting from the arrest of leaders and activists. The arrival of Lord Malcolm of the United Provinces was fixed at Pauri during these days. Pauri’s administration wanted to show Lord Malcolm that Congress was over in this entire region.
With the help of the administration, ‘Aman Sabha’ was established in November 1930. Its objective was to save the Cantonment from the Nationalist movement. When Jayanand Bharti, who was released from jail, came to know about this, he decided that he would hoist the tricolor in the court of Lord Malcolm. 6 September 1932 He was about to set up the court of Lord Malcolm at Pauri. Jayanand Bharati spoke to Sakaland Bharati to hoist the tricolor in the court of Lord Malcolm. JayanandBhartireachedDugadda and then Pauri in disguise on 5 September 1932.
He got two more pieces of the tricolor from two of his friends. The third piece of the tricolor was with Jayanand Bharati. The tricolor was stitched at atPauri.
On 6 September, Jayanand Bharti disguised himself in the meeting. Jayanand Bharti hid the tricolor in his kurta sleeve. His companions sitting in the meeting started moving the stick of the flag. Lord Malcolm’s felicitation letter was read. The stick of the flag was with Jayanand Bharti.
Here Lord Malcolm was to stand up to speak in response to the welcome, while Jayanand Bharati was to hoist the tricolor on the stick. Late Malcolm was about to speak when Jayanand Bharti started moving towards the stage waving the tricolor and started shouting slogans ‘Go Back Malcolm,’ ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ ‘Aman Sabha Murdabad’ Congress Zindabad.’
The police tried to pull down Jayanand, holding one of his legs. He kept getting beaten up, and the tricolor was snatched from his hand. He still did not stop raising slogans. The local governor put a handkerchief in his mouth, but he kept on shouting slogans even then. Meanwhile, Malcolm Haley had fled towards the Dak Bungalow under police protection.
Jayanand Bharti was handcuffed and immediately taken to Pauri Jail. The public followed him. The people returned to their homes only at the request of Jayanand Bharti. Bharti was later released from jail on 28 September 1933. This incident is known as the ‘Historic PauriKand’ and is also mentioned in the gazette of the district headquarters.
Jayanand Bharti, suffering from serious illness, breathed his last on 9 September 1952 at 71 in his village Arkandai.