Mahatma Gandhi's Tryst With Tribals

As part of his nationwide tour, Mahatma Gandhi visited Krishnagiri in the 1930s. M Devaiya Gowda, a freedom fighter from M Barandhur near Denkanikottai, took Gandhi to his village. The Mahatma stayed in the village for two days and sensitised people to freedom struggle through Congress leaders who were well-versed in Telugu and Kannada, recalls Devaiya's grandson

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Krishnagiri

During the days of colonial rule, when the nation was thirsting for freedom, Mahatma Gandhi extensively toured the country instilling the spirit of freedom among the masses through his speeches and peaceful protests.

During one such tour, he visited Krishnagiri district and local Congress members took him to many hilly and rural areas including M Barandhur, a village located near Denkanikottai.

According to locals, Mahatma Gandhi addressed a public meeting at Krishnagiri in 1930. People from nearby Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri town attended it in big numbers. To mark this occasion, a statue was erected post-independence.

During this tour, M Devaiya Gowda, a freedom fighter from M Barandhur village, welcomed Mahatma Gandhi and took him to his village. The Mahatma stayed in the village for two days; Devaiya's relatives recall with pride.