Prime Minister Narendra Modi handing over to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel the certificate marking Shyamji Krishna Verma's posthumous reinstatement to UK bar, at a function at Bhuj in Gujarat on Friday, December 18, 2015. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today handed over the certificate, acknowledging Indian barrister and nationalist leader Shyamji Krishna Verma's posthumous reinstatement to the UK Bar--to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel at a function in Bhuj.
The certificate was given to PM Modi in the presence of UK Prime Minister David Cameron, during his visit to London last month.
"Only two people in the history of our freedom struggle were de-barred by the UK, one was Mahatma Gandhi and another was Shyamji Krishna Verma," Mr Modi said during the function held at Bhuj air-force station.
"Britishers in 1998 gave the certificate of posthumous reinstatement of Mahatma Gandhi, but what about Shyamji, nobody cared about him, he was the son of Kutch's soil.
"During my recent visit, due to efforts of UK Prime Minister David Cameroon's government, the certificate of reinstatement was issued," Mr Modi said in Gujarati.
Mr Verma was disbarred by London's Honourable Society of the Inner Temple for conduct unbecoming a barrister following the publication of a letter in The Times in which he protested the right of Indians to free themselves from British rule. Over a century later, the nationalist leader was reinstated by the Society.
"Shyamji Krishna Verma was no ordinary revolutionary. He had established India House in London under the nose of British Government and published newspapers advocating for freedom of the country. Verma believed in arms revolution for India's freedom. The UK authorities had revoked his bar certificate in 1905," Mr Modi said.
"It is my fortune, that I brought back this certificate," he added.
The certificate will be kept in the 'Kranti Tirth', a memorial of Mr Verma built in the port town of Mandvi in Kutch, where he was born in 1857.
Mr Verma, who is also known as 'Krantiguru', was born on October 4, 1857 in Mandvi town of Kutch district. As a tribute to him, the Kutch University has been named after him.
In 2010, Mr Modi, when he was Gujarat CM, had inaugurated the Kranti Tirth memorial at Mandvi. Mr Verma died on March 30, 1930 in Geneva.
The memorial is a replica of 'India House' in north London. India House was established by Mr Verma as a base for Indian students studying in England. He was also the founder of the Indian Home Rule Society.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, who was in Bhuj to inaugurate the three-day DG conference added, "For the last many years the conference used to be held in Delhi only. We have changed things, last year it was held in Guwahati, and now it is being held in Dhordo (Kutch)".