At the Vitthal Rukmini Temple in the village of Pandharpur, Maharashtra, a large crowd gathered in 1938-39 to hear the freedom fighter Veer Savarkar speak. From the podium, he urged the audience to prepare for sacrifice and join the fight for independence, declaring that freedom could indeed be attained.
As Savarkar was speaking, he suddenly paused and called over a young man from the side of the platform. "This is Ramchandra," he announced to the audience. "The Nizam government has sentenced him to 36 lashes simply for saying 'Vande Mataram'." While the Nizam's chief of police and jail chief stood on one side, Ramchandra had been subjected to the brutal attacks of a convict named Dawood, who struck him with full force each time he chanted "Vande Mataram" in response to the blows.
Ramchandra, a young man from Bavi village, remained steadfast in his love for his motherland even as the skin was stripped from his exposed body. Police officer Hollins eventually intervened and stopped the beatings, having Ramchandra taken from the place of punishment to receive medical treatment.
"From now on, Baviwala Ramachandra will be known as Vande Mataram Ramachandra Rao. I am certain he would approve of this name," declared Savarkar, ing a round of enthusiastic applause. Vande Mataram Ramchandra Rao, with tears of joy in his eyes, saluted the feet of the freedom fighters. Despite the risks and the thought of dying for their cause, many people continued to join the fight for freedom, determined to secure their independence.
Source: Kamlakar Ramrao Sawant, DRP, CCRT