Sarju Prasad (left) at the janata darbar. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, June 23: He met Mahatma Gandhi in 1944 and took part in the marches against the British empire with Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Once a freedom fighter, 90-year-old Sarju Prasad today has lost his strength to fight the battle of survival.

Abandoned by three sons and two daughters, Sarju today only has his youngest son to fall back on.

Tired of living in neglect and seclusion for years now, Sarju turned up at district magistrate Sanjay Kumar’s weekly janata darbar at Patna collectorate today. Sarju’s plea was to get the benefits of the government’s pension scheme and also lodge a complaint against his three sons.

Sarju was accompanied to the darbar by his youngest son Anil Kumar.

In mumbled speech, Sarju said: “Sir, my three sons have left me alone. In the early 1940s, I took part in India’s freedom struggle. After we got our Independence, I never thought I will ever have to struggle for survival. My three sons, who earn a lot of money, do not even care for me. They never ask how my wife Jaso Devi and me are living. They are just not bothered.”

There was a brief pause.

“My eldest son Nandu Kumar is in the business of exporting pickle, my second son Arun Kumar is also in the same business and the third one is an advocate. They have left my 80-year-old wife and me in this state and they are having a great time. Few days ago, my wife’s waist was fractured but they never enquired about her health. I even went to them but they refused any help,” Sarju said, requesting Singh to grant him freedom pension.

The district magistrate said: “I can understand your problem and it is really very disappointing that three of your sons have left you alone but there is no law to punish them. However, I can certainly help you have your freedom fighter pension. I will see what other options are available to support you.”

When The Telegraph asked Sarju about his problem, he said: “It really hurts me and I feel ashamed that despite being a father of six children — four sons and two daughters — there is only one son who I can fall back on. I feel bad that my youngest, who is not that well-off, has to take care of his family as well as me and my wife.”

His youngest son Anil has a small-scale pickle business.

Singh said: “I will talk to his three sons. This is a family matter and usually such cases need counselling. Let us see what we can do.”

I will ask them to accommodate Sarju into their families as they have turned very old. I do not think that shall happen. Let us see what we can do.”