We students became the pillar of support of Satyagrahis: Vittal Kini

Mangaluru: As India completes 75 years of its independence from British rule, it is only apt to know the life and experiences of freedom fighters. One such freedom fighter from the Coastal belt,  Mattaru Vittal Kini, reminisced about the struggle for freedom from foreign rule.

Born in 1929, to Mattaru Krishnaraya Kini and Rukmini Bai, Vittal Kini jumped into the currents of freedom struggle as a student.  “There was a lot of struggle in those days. I came to know about the freedom struggle while pursuing my high school studies in Kasaragod. Students became the support of Satyagrahis’ mass movement,” he told Udayavani.

“When Satyagrahis fought against the British, we students stood behind them and shouted slogans against the British. I distinctly remember pasting posters and distributing pamphlets during high school days,” he recalled about his participation in the 1942 nationwide “Quit India” movement called by Gandhiji.

“I also regularly participated in local events for the freedom struggle. I joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1946 and involved myself with the freedom struggle activities,” he added.

 Imprisonment for liberation of Goa!

“After beginning the All Party Goa Liberation Committee in 1954 and I served as its treasurer. In 1955  I was jailed for participating in the struggle for the liberation of Goa that was led by the late U S Nayak,” he said.

Further, Vittal Kini recollected that he spent 4 months in jail in 1948 for participating in the satyagraha demanding the withdrawal of the ban on the RSS.