KARWAR: Many people in Karwar still vividly remember Mahatma Gandhi's visit to the coastal town. However, contrary to popular believe that Gandhi visited the town to spread the message of freedom, the real purpose, according to advocate Aniruddh Haldipurkar, in whose house Gandhi stayed, was to spread awareness about untouchability and rights of Dalits (then called Harijans) to enter temples.
"My grandfather Krishnarao Haldipurkar had taken the lead to invite Gandhiji to Karwar," said Aniruddh. "His brother Subbarao Haldipurkar, who was at the forefront of the freedom movement, was in Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) jail at that time," Aniruddh said. "Gandhiji arrived in Karwar from Kundapur by a boat called 'Dayavati' on February 27, 1934. He stayed in our house that night held a prayer service in the compound of our house the next morning."
The Haldipurkar family has preserved several photographs clicked during Gandhi's visit. "We have preserved this house in memory of Gandhiji," Aniruddh said. The house is now about 130-years-old.
On February 28, Gandhiji addressed a public meeting in the area behind Geetanjali talkies and was honoured with a memento of a sandalwood box and a 'maanapatra' in a silver box. "Gandhiji refused to accept any gift and he auctioned it on the spot.
Anant Kasabekar, 96, recalled Gandhi's visit. "I 12-years-old then," Kasabekar said. "I remember touching the feet of Gandhiji and the public meeting being halted midway due to rain."
Mementoes gifted to the Mahatma during his visit to Karwar (L) and Gandhi at a meeting (R)
