Bolaram police station, where Mahatma was kept prisoner

HYDERABAD: The Bolaram police station building, a heritage structure where the Father of the Nation was kept for a few days after his arrest during the Quit India Movement in 1942, has been spruced up to celebrate 75th Independence Day celebrations to commemorate the freedom struggle.

Police personnel led by the inspector of Bolaram station started celebrations by explaining the glory and importance of the heritage structure to visitors. The Bolaram police station is located in Hyderabad police commissionerate limits and comes under the north zone. The heritage building has been decorated with Tricolour festoons, balloons, flags and flood lights of the National Flag.

 "This police station building has a history. Mahatma Gandhi was touring India during the Quit India Movement. Gandhiji visited Hyderabad and addressed a public meeting at the Lakshmi Ramalingam Mudaliar Government High School auditorium, Bolaram. The British police arrested Gandhiji and shifted him to the Bolaram police station," inspector P. Sridhar said.

During British rule, the Bolaram police station was a jail-cum-police station and a number of freedom fighters were kept inside the building. After a few days, Mahatma Gandhi was released from the police station. The rooms where Gandhiji was kept were later renovated and the main building is still functioning as the Bolaram police station.

Yet another historic importance of the building is that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had planned police action against Razakars during Nizam rule from the Bolaram police station. Recalling such incidents, the police staff and officials conduct special events every year.

"This time, we have taken up a novel programme to meet people and explain the importance of Independence Day celebrations and the history of the heritage building.  Many of the residents knew the importance of the building and visited the heritage site," Sridhar said.

Interestingly, officials in this police station perform salutations of respect during the roll call every day by taking pledge.