The Life & Value of
Bir Ganesh Man Singh
The Life & Value of
Bir Ganesh Man Singh
Why
Democracy?
Often, and at most times, democracy is taken for granted; as something that is inherently received.
Nepal today is a Federal, Democratic, Republic nation – in which the people elect
their representatives. But in its long history, Nepal wasn’t always a democratic nation. Throughout Nepal’s history, countless people have made struggles and even sacrificed their lives to usher in this beautiful value, which the Ganesh Man Singh Foundation believes needs cherishing and nurturing.
Often, and at most times, democracy is taken for granted; as something that is inherently received.
Birth & Early
Years
Singh lost his father at an early age, and was raised by his eldest grandfather Ratna
Man Singh. Ratna Man Singh, who served as a Sardar during Ganesh Man Singh’s
birth, rose all the way up to the position of a Badakazi during his service to the Ranas.
Ganesh Man Singh was born on the 9th of November, 1915 to parents Gyan Man
Singh and Sanu Nani Shrestha in Yetkha, Kathmandu. Little did anyone know, 82
years later, millions of Nepalis would mourn his demise; or fondly remember him for
generations to come.
Singh lost his father at an early age, and was raised by his eldest grandfather Ratna
Man Singh. Ratna Man Singh, who served as a Sardar during Ganesh Man Singh’s
birth, rose all the way up to the position of a Badakazi during his service to the Ranas.
Birth & Early
Years
Ganesh Man Singh was born on the 9th of November, 1915 to parents Gyan Man
Singh and Sanu Nani Shrestha in Yetkha, Kathmandu. Little did anyone know, 82
years later, millions of Nepalis would mourn his demise; or fondly remember him for
generations to come.
Singh lost his father at an early age, and was raised by his eldest grandfather Ratna
Man Singh. Ratna Man Singh, who served as a Sardar during Ganesh Man Singh’s
birth, rose all the way up to the position of a Badakazi during his service to the Ranas.
TWO
Incidents
Growing up, Singh was an unruly kid and would be seen playing marbles in the streets, skipping school to swim in the Bagmati River. Two childhood incidents speak volumes about his nature:
Once, during monsoons, Singh and his friends decided to swim across the Bagmati River The river was flooded and the current was strong. Fearing the current, Singh’s friends decided against crossing the river, and returned back ashore. Singh however did not retrace his steps, and continued to swim across the river – only to be swept away. The river’s current dragged him all the way to the confluence of Bagmati and Bishnumati, where a noticing farmer extended his stick, and Singh was able to pull himself ashore.
“Not to turn back or retrace a step once taken forward has been my trait since childhood”, Singh is quoted saying to Mathbar Singh Basnet, his biographer.
The
Durbar High School Incident
Singh would attend the Durbar High School. One day, a fashionably attired boy addressed him using obscene verses. Singh slapped him in exchange. The boy complained to the headmaster, upon which he was summoned to the office. Once at the office, the principal questioned his audacity to raise hands on a Ranaji. The principal reached for his cane to punish Singh; however Singh jumped out and escaped the room – never to return to school again.
Ganesh Man Singh was angered because he wasn’t given an opportunity to explain himself, and felt it was injustice on the part of the headmaster.
TWO
Incidents
Growing up, Singh was an unruly kid and would be seen playing marbles in the streets, skipping school to swim in the Bagmati River. Two childhood incidents speak volumes about his nature:
Once, during monsoons, Singh and his friends decided to swim across the Bagmati River The river was flooded and the current was strong. Fearing the current, Singh’s friends decided against crossing the river, and returned back ashore. Singh however did not retrace his steps, and continued to swim across the river – only to be swept away. The river’s current dragged him all the way to the confluence of Bagmati and Bishnumati, where a noticing farmer extended his stick, and Singh was able to pull himself ashore.
“Not to turn back or retrace a step once taken forward has been my trait since childhood”, Singh is quoted saying to Mathbar Singh Basnet, his biographer.
The
Durbar High School Incident
Singh would attend the Durbar High School. One day, a fashionably attired boy addressed him using obscene verses. Singh slapped him in exchange. The boy complained to the headmaster, upon which he was summoned to the office. Once at the office, the principal questioned his audacity to raise hands on a Ranaji. The principal reached for his cane to punish Singh; however Singh jumped out and escaped the room – never to return to school again.
Ganesh Man Singh was angered because he wasn’t given an opportunity
to explain himself, and felt it was injustice on the part of the headmaster.
Encounter with the
Sahids
Of the four Shahids (martyrs) of Nepal (Shukraraj Shastri, Gangalal Shrestha, Dharma Bhakta Mathema and Dashrath Chand), Singh’s early political years extensively interweaves with three of them (Shastri, Shrestha and Mathema). His experiences with them are some of the most profound experiences of his life, and contribute immensely towards his political inclinations
Sahid
Shukraraj Shastri
Ganesh Man Singh’s first encounter with Shukraraj Shastri was in Calcutta – when Shastri was giving a philosophical discourse. Singh, an audience of the discourse asks him a personal question with an objective to demean him. “How come a 42 year old is married to a young wife?” he questions with an intention to belittle Shastri.
Singh later admits that he was driven by a self-inferiority complex, and in the years to come develops great admiration for Shukraraj Shastri.
Gangalal’s
Questions
One evening, Singh and Gangalal are returning home after dinner at a friend’s house in Kathmandu. As they walked along the Gaddhi Baithak, Gangalal points to two women sweeping the streets and asks:
“You see the two women over there Ganesh Man Singh ji; what if the Ranas forcefully took them away?”
“What to talk of the Ranas Gangalal Ji, even if I take them away their husbands cannot do anything”, Singh replies arrogantly.
“What if the Ranas took away your wife or sisters; what can you do?”, Gangalal retorts?
The question took Singh aback. Ganesh Man Singh spent a sleepless night, and before the crack of dawn reached Gangalal’s home. Singh suggests forming a new party, but Gangalal points out the lack of resources. The duo agree to find and join the Praja Parishad instead – a rumoured underground political party
Gangalal’s
Questions
One evening, Singh and Gangalal are returning home after dinner at a friend’s house in Kathmandu. As they walked along the Gaddhi Baithak, Gangalal points to two women sweeping the streets and asks:
“You see the two women over there Ganesh Man Singh ji; what if the Ranas forcefully took them away?”
“What to talk of the Ranas Gangalal Ji, even if I take them away their husbands cannot do anything”, Singh replies arrogantly.
“What if the Ranas took away your wife or sisters; what can you do?”, Gangalal
retorts?
The question took Singh aback. Ganesh Man Singh spent a sleepless night, and before the crack of dawn reached Gangalal’s home. Singh suggests forming a new party, but Gangalal points out the lack of resources. The duo agree to find and join the Praja Parishad instead – a rumoured underground political party
Friendship with
Dharma Bhakta Mathema
One day, in between the weeks of the fruitless search for the Praja Parishad, Ganesh Man Singh, while walking between Jhonchhe and Om Bahal, saw a muscular man massaging himself with oil. Singh flew into rage thinking ‘how could there be two lions in one forest’. Without an invitation, he entered the house, and challenged him to a display of physical fitness. Singh lost
He then challenged him to a boxing match, in which the muscular man knocked him out
Muscular man was no other than Dharmabhakta Mathema – one time boxing champion of Bengal, and soon to be very good friends of Singh.
Joining the
Praja Parishad
Singh would sometimes bring the issue of Praja Parishad with Dharma Bhakta, which he would instantly dismiss. Singh assumed Dharma Bhakta was afraid of the Ranas, only to later find out that Dharma Bhakta Mathema was in fact one of the founding members of the Praja Parishad
One day, Dharma Bhakta inducted Singh and Gangalal into the Praja Parishad, and made them take the oath at Bijeshwari Temple:
“From today, our efforts will be focused on strengthening the Praja Parishad. Should we be caught while pursuing our goals, we will rather die than implicate the lives of others
Marriage
to
Mangala Devi
One day, a horoscope was brought in to the Singh household. Ever since the horoscope entered the home, problems within the household began to dispel. That horoscope was no one else’s but of Mangala Devi’s – Singh’s life partner.
Believing Mangala Devi would bring good fortune to the house, Badakazi Ratna Man arranged for Ganesh Man Singh to be married.
Ganesh Man and Mangala Devi proved to be amazing life partners – each had their own political aspirations, and supported each other. Together, they navigated the struggles of steering a nation towards democracy, and at the same time making efforts to be responsible parents.
At one time, when both Ganesh Man Singh and Mangala Devi were jailed, Mangala Devi would have to take her youngest daughter with her to jail
Arrest for
Praja Parishad members
One day, Gangalal arrived hastily at Ganesh Man’s house. He was hiding a typewriter which was used to print Praja Parishad’s leaflets. Police had arrested Dharma Bhakta Mathema, and Gangalal suspected he was next. By the next day, Gangalal, Tanka Prasad Acharya, Govinda Prasad Upadhyaya, Bal Bahadur Pandey and Pushkarnath Upreti were arrested.
The police arrived at Singh’s house on the third day, and out of respect for Bada Man Ratna Kazi restricted their search to Singh’s room. They found him in possession of the book ‘Russian Revolution’ and a manuscript of short stories by Gangalal. He too was held.
In the following days, the detainees were interrogated. Gangalal was beaten sobadly that he could not sit straight for many days. In a feeble voice, Gangalal tells Ganesh Man:
“Dai, do not give up your Dharma (pledge). I too haven’t given them anything”.
Due to lack of concrete proof, Singh had been spared. However, one day the police found Singh’s pledge note, after which he was beaten up black and blue too.
Judgement Day
Eventually, judgment day arrived. A big meeting of the royal council of nobles was held at Singha Durbar. Addressing the council, Shree Teen Juddha Shumsher Junga Bahadur Rana introduced the members of Praja Parishad as traitors.
Shukraj Shastri (born: Shukraraj Joshi), Dashrath Chand, Gangalal Shrestha and Dharma Bhakta Mathema were to be hanged to death and other members of the party were given sentences of varying degrees.
Parkhal Kanda
Singh and others were transferred to Bhadragol Jail, where Singh’s cellmate was Nepal’s revered poet Siddhicharan Shrestha. Restless in jail, Singh began planning his escape. On the
eve of his escape,
Shrestha dedicated the following poem to him, which was etched in his heart.
The
Great Escape
On a new moon night, Singh was able to escape from Bhadragol Jail. He was supposed to head east to Bhaktapur, but various obstructions caused him to wonder the streets of Kathmandu the entire night. Just before dawn, he reached Surya Bahadur Bhardwaj’s home. There, arrangements were made for his transfer to Chandragiri, and he was given two sets of clothes.
After spending a night in Chandragiri, Singh headed towards India on foot.
Dinner in the hills
The first day, he arrived upon a
home which was inhabited by an old man and his daughter-in-law. Far below, the Trishuli meandered. When Singh asked about his son’s whereabouts, the old man informed he had gone to Lahur to serve the British Indian Army just like every other youngster in the village had.
Night with the Majhis
The next day Singh arrived at a village along the banks of Trishuli, where poverty is extreme. Houses are dilapidated and food is scarce. Despite the poverty, Singh finds a benevolent family who shares their food and offers shelter to Singh. In the evening, the boatsman who helped him crossed the river, and to whom Singh had given his extra set of clothes to, arrives at the home with some fresh fish.
Caste system en route
The next day, Singh leaves early – to beat the scorching sun as he climbs up a hill. With no water and food, he reaches a village in the evening with great struggle. There, he asks for water, but the villagers refuse to give him any.
“We are of a lower-caste. If you drink our water, you will lose your caste, and the state will punish us”, the villagers said. Hopeless, Singh moved on to the next village, where instead of asking for water, he grabbed a pitcher of water and drank it straight
The above three experiences, sending the youth away to foreign land for employment, endemic poverty in the villages, and the widespread
prevalence of caste system struck a deep chord in his heart. His journey enabled him to see the lives of the people outside Kathmandu, and was an eye-opener to the daily affairs and struggles of the people of Nepal. These experiences shaped much of Singh’s political belief.
Singh eventually crossed into India – through Gorkha, Tanahun, Syangja, Palpa and Butwal. In Gorkha, he fell sick and was nursed back to health by a kind family, he was almost caught near Butwal, and just at the border, he remembers seeing his “wanted poster”.
Days in
INDIA
Once in India, Singh briefly joined the Air Force as a gunner, but later quit. He then moved between the Indian cities of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Calcutta and Banares. In Sikkim, he worked as a typist under the alias of Krishna Kumar Pradhan.
Once, when in Kalimpong, two Nepali youth offered Rs 8,000 to hear his story, which he saved as money for the revolution. Emboldened with the seed money, he began sharing his story in Darjeeling, and began networking which led to a meeting with Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala.
Meeting
B P Koirala
Singh and Koirala met at the Khalsa Hotel in Calcutta. Both immediately connected over their shared views to form a political party to overthrow the Ranas. Singh handed Koirala the Rs 8,000, and in the following days the Nepal Rastriya Congress was born.
The
Jute Mill Protests
On 4th March, 1947, the labourers of the jute mills in Biratnagar launched a strike – demanding a raise in wages, proper accommodation arrangements, healthcare and education for the labourers’ children. The strike was initiated by Tarani Prasad Koirala, Man Mohan Adhikari, Girija Prasad Koirala, Yuvraj Adhikari and Gehendra Hari Sharma, and was inspired by the formation of Rastriya Congress.
The Ranas, who were unused to such demonstrations, unleashed vehement power. Troops were called in from Kathmandu, and labourers were shot at – a few were killed, while many injured. Eventually the leaders were arrested, and were marched to Kathmandu in chains.
Nationalwide
Satyagraha
Rastriya Congress decided to issue a notice to the Rana government – if within one month the arrested leaders were not released, a nationwide Satyagraha would be launched. The government did not pay heed, and in April, 1947, a nationwide Satyagraha (Civil Disobedience) was launched.
From Kathmandu to Janakpur, and Birgunj to Biratnagar, protesters poured in the streets chanting political slogans against the government. In Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, activists, including students demanding reform poured onto the streets. Nepal Women’s Association was formed, and participation of women leaders such as Mangala Devi Singh, Sahana Pradhan, Sadhana Pradhan, amongst others were at
the forefront of the protests.
A famed incident of the 1947 movement is Pushpalal, brother of martyr Gangalal launching himself in front of General Nara Shumsher, demanding to be shot. Nara Shumher had overseen the execution of the four martyrs, and had also flogged Ganesh Man Singh during his interrogation. Pushpa Lal would later be known as the father of communism in Nepal.
Padma Shumsher's
Proclamation
During the time, there used to be a large Khari Bot (Ficus Tree) tree at the centre of Tundikhel. Known as Chakala Sima, the tree was used by heads of state to make official proclamations.
On May, 1947, Prime Minister of Nepal Padma Shumsher Junga Bahadur Rana stood atop the circular platform and made a proclamation to the people of Nepal that political reforms would be made.
Formation of
Nepali Congress
After the movement, Singh was based in Raxaul, mobilizing party efforts. One day, he received a wire from B P Koirala which asked him to come soon. He departed immediately on a train. The next day, Koirala informed Singh that Subarna Shumsher, a Rana living in exile in India had proposed a merger between Rastriya Congress and Prajatantra Congress.
And thus Nepali Congress was born. The formation of Nepali Congress instilled a renewed sense of hope within Nepalis living in Nepal, and those exiled in India. The conference also passed the manifesto of Nepali Congress – a deep analysis of the political situation of Nepal was penned by B. P. Koirala. The manifesto also declared a resolution to initiate democratic reform in Nepal by launching a widespread people’s revolution to terminate the Rana regime in Nepal.
Two missions in
Kathmandu
Nepali Congress had decided to launch an armed revolution, and was in the process of acquiring arms from Burma. Similarly, Singh was chosen to lead two missions in Nepal, one was to take King Tribhuvan from his palace in Kathmandu to Palpa, and to seek the support of the Indian Embassy for doing so, and a second plan to launch an armed revolution against the Rana rulers. The armed revolution was to be in the form of an explosion at Basantapur Durbar Square on the day of the Kumari Rath Yatra (chariot procession of the Kumari, the Living Goddess) during Indra Jatra.
Long Journey Home
Therefore, Singh and thirteen others embarked upon the long journey home. They entered Nepal via the dense jungle of Tarai. At the Marin River they had to bribe a mahut with liquor to help them cross the river. In Sindhuli, they took shelter at a poor man’s home which made Singh think about implementing an economic system which uplifts all people of Nepal from poverty. Singh and his team entered via Banepa, smuggling arms with them.
Arrested in Thori
However, in Kathmandu, Singh and his plans were foiled. He had to flee, and left Kathmandu after hiding in the jungles of Pashupatinath for three days. He was able to cross the dense Thori jungle, only to be arrested near the border.
He was transferred back to Kathmandu, and jailed in Singha Durbar.
A sever thrashing
“If my address is important, then write my home is the Kingdom of Nepal”
After being arrested, Singh was interrogated again. However, owing to his uncooperativeness and audacity, General Hari Shumsher who was overseeing the interrogation ordered Singh be beaten up. Singh was whipped until he became unconscious, and remembers being dragged into his cell by the guards.
Nationalwide
Protests
The events following Tribhuvan’s departure would kick start ‘Sat Saal ko Kranti’ (the Revolution of 1950/51).The revolution would end with the immediate abolition of the institutionalized hereditary Prime Minister system in Nepal.
The next morning, Nepali Congress launched an armed revolution in Birgunj. The revolutionaries were able to successfully hold the town captive until reinforcements was sent from Kathmandu. Sadly, Singh lost his good friend Thir Bam Malla, who was the leader of the attack in the battle.
Meanwhile in Kathmandu, it started to rain pamphlets. Thousands poured into the streets to protest Tribhuvan’s departure. A group of C Class Rana resigned en masse, and staged a protest outside Durbar High School. During the protests, owing to police brutality a commoner by the name of Nhuchay Ratna Tuladhar lost his life. He immediately became a symbol of the oppression of the Ranas – and thousands of Kathmanduits attended his funeral procession, leading to more clashes against the government.
Meanwhile in Kathmandu, it started to rain pamphlets. Thousands poured into the streets to protest Tribhuvan’s departure. A group of C Class Rana resigned en masse, and staged a protest outside Durbar High School. During the protests, owing to police brutality a commoner by the name of Nhuchay Ratna Tuladhar lost his life. He immediately became a symbol of the oppression of the Ranas – and thousands of Kathmanduits attended his funeral procession, leading to more clashes against the government.
Mohan
Shumsher’s
Proclamation:
Unable to garner international support to recognize Gyanendra as Nepal’s new king, and in the wake of the national protests, Mohan Shumsher sent two of his trusted aides, Kaiser Shumsher and Bijay Shumsher to India. There, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru suggested Nepal initiate democratic reforms – one step at a time.
Therefore, on 8th January, 1951, Mohan Shumsher made a proclamation announcing reform towards enabling a people’s government in Nepal with the monarch as the supreme head.
Declaration of ceasefire by
Nepali Congress
Tripartite talks in Delhi
Following Mohan Shumsher’s proclamation, and after consultation with Indian PM Nehru, Nepali Congress, to allow the passage of democracy in Nepal, announced its intention to cease fire.
Meanwhile in Kathmandu, while other political prisoners were released, Singh and his fellow conspirators of the Indra Jatra massacre were sent to Bhadragol Jail.
Following the ceasefire, tripartite talks between King Tribhvan, officials of the Rana government and representatives of Nepali Congress began. India played the role of the mediator, and would not allow any of the three parties to meet others independently.
Nepali Congress put forth their list of demands, including important ministries in the new government.
Freedom
after
ten years
On the 2nd of Falgun, 2007 B.S., Singh was called into the jailer’s office, and given his release papers. Singh was stunned, and on a warm winter day, stepped outside the jail – a free man after ten long years.
Singh was headed home when a few of his friends arrived and
asked him to wait. He was taken to Tundikhel, and in the meantime the group of few friends had swollen into a large crowd. By the time he reached Tundikhel, it was as if entire Kathmandu was at Tundikhel.
Amidst the chaos, a jeep arrived to take Singh home. Somewhere along New Road, a chant began to emerge:
Our Leader, Jindabad”
(Long live brave Ganesh Man, our beloved leader
The crowd had spoken – they had made Singh their leader. Along the way, people showered Singh with rice, flowers, and vermillion – from the sidewalk, from balconies everywhere. At major junctions, he would be offered Shagun (the traditional Newari ceremony which involves a ritual of presenting auspicious food to a person to invoke good fortune).
It was 11 PM by the time Singh reached home, and was finally reunited with his family.
That night, Singh had a restless sleep, and in his dream was taken to one particular day – the day he had last seen Gangalal.
“Do not foget my blood Ganesh Man Dai”, Gangalal had told him as he was dragged out of Kalkothari Jail.
The dawn of a
New Era
On the days leading to Falgun 07, King Tribhuvan and leaders of Nepali Congress returned home. They were met with tremendous enthusiasm by crowds of people.
On the eve of Falugn 07, Singh remembers returning home late at night to a beautifully illuminated city – as if it was Tihar. People are welcoming a new dawn in their lives, Singh remembers thinking to himself
Falgun 07, 2007 BS:
Nepal becomes a
democratic nation
On 7th Falgun, 2007 B.S. leaders began to arrive at the Narayanhiti Palace ahead of King Tribhuvan’s proclamation.
Exactly at 3 PM, King Tribhuvan made the proclamation which ushered democracy in Nepal, ending the 104 year long Rana rule over the King- dom of Nepal. As Tribhuvan’s voice echoed over the palatial grounds, Singh remembered the countless struggles and sacrifices of thousands who had enabled Nepal to arrive upon this day.
Singh to Mathbar Singh Basnet.
After the proclamation, the new ministers of Nepal were sworn in – Ganesh Man Singh was appointed the Minister for Industry & Commerce. The new interim government, which comprised of seven ministers from the Rana government and seven ministers from Nepali Congress, were also entrusted with task of forming an interim constitution at the earliest.
“On this day, the dreams of Nepal’s martyrs materialised, and Nepali citizens much awaited dream came true. In other words, Nepalis gained the right to decide about Nepal’s and their own future”.