The Chambal Valley peace initiative led by followers of Mahatma Gandhi and the Sarvodaya movement—which ultimately resulted in the surrender of over 600 dacoits between 1960 and 1972—began in a modest yet deeply inspiring way under the leadership of Vinoba Bhave, one of Gandhi’s most committed disciples.
In the summer of 1960, a group of Sarvodaya activists undertook a remarkable foot march as part of the Bhoodan (land-gift) movement, which sought voluntary land donations for the landless. The march continued for over a month through the harsh and eroded ravines of the Chambal region—terrain that had long served as a refuge for several dacoit gangs. As these marchers, including men and women unaccustomed to such difficult conditions, travelled from village to village spreading a message of peace, they inspired a change of heart among many dacoits. Some of those who had resisted years of police action came forward voluntarily to lay down their arms before Vinoba Bhave, often respectfully referred to as “Baba.”
The Chambal region, located across parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, had a long tradition of baagis (rebels), a term many dacoits preferred for themselves. Some adhered to a strict code of conduct; a few who later surrendered claimed they avoided alcohol, gambling, and harming women or the poor. At the same time, incidents of severe violence by several gangs were also reported. Police responses, while sometimes courageous, were also marked in certain instances by excesses that appeared to aggravate the situation. Despite repeated claims that gangs had been eliminated, the problem persisted and, at times, worsened.
This led several concerned citizens and officials to consider alternative approaches based on dialogue and non-violence rather than solely on police action. Notably, M.S. Kohli, then Deputy Inspector General of Police in Madhya Pradesh, recommended inviting Vinoba Bhave to help address the growing crisis in the Chambal Valley. Around the same time, Tehsildar Singh, a dacoit leader lodged in jail, wrote to Vinoba requesting his intervention to restore peace.
At the time, Vinoba Bhave, then about 65 years old, had already spent nearly nine years walking across India as part of the Bhoodan movement. He received messages from Chambal while on a march in Kashmir and decided to send an emissary to assess the situation. Retired Major General Yadunath Singh, known for his spiritual inclination and commitment to peace, took up this role. After preliminary groundwork by him and other Sarvodaya workers, Vinoba himself arrived in the Chambal region to begin his peace march.
He was received by officials, including police officers and political leaders, first in Uttar Pradesh and then in Madhya Pradesh, even though some had earlier expressed reservations about the idea of negotiated surrenders.
As the march progressed, it revealed the depth of distress in the region. In one small village alone, 23 people had been killed in recent years—some by dacoits, some during repeated police raids, and others in violent feuds that often pushed more individuals toward banditry. A cycle of violence, retaliation, and mistrust had engulfed many villages, leaving them desperate for peace but unable to achieve it on their own.
In this atmosphere, the Gandhian message of non-violence and reconciliation began to resonate. Initially, there were a few isolated surrenders. A significant turning point came when most members of the Lokman gang surrendered together during the march. Aware that they would face imprisonment, they nevertheless chose to give themselves up. In an unusual display of trust, these dacoits even accompanied the marchers for several days before formally surrendering their weapons in the presence of officials and a large gathering.
The emotional impact of these events was profound. Bonds of trust developed quickly between the marchers and those who surrendered. Women participants tied rakhis—symbolic threads representing sibling bonds—on the wrists of the former dacoits, underscoring a shared commitment to protection and peace.
In the later phase of the march, efforts were made to reach out to families of other dacoit groups, including that of Lakhan Singh. Many relatives, especially women, expressed support for surrender but noted that their voices were often overlooked. There were also indications that vested interests attempted to obstruct the process by spreading misinformation.
During this initial phase, about 21 surrenders took place. Before concluding the march, Vinoba Bhave and his associates established a Chambal Valley Peace Committee to continue efforts toward reconciliation and rehabilitation. The committee included Rajendra Kumari, Hemdeva Sharma (Convener), Mahavir Singh, Swami Krishna Swaroop, Lallo Singh, Bhagwat Singh, Babu Parashu Ram, Lakshmi Chand Vaish, Shri Ram Gupta, and Keshava Singh.
The march itself was marked by considerable hardship. Participants faced extreme weather, treacherous terrain, and even life-threatening situations. On one occasion, Vinoba narrowly escaped injury when strong winds destroyed their tents. Despite these challenges, the marchers succeeded in reaching remote villages with a message of hope.
Vinoba Bhave’s approach was rooted in empathy and moral clarity. Addressing the baagis, he said that if they saw themselves as rebels, they would understand that he too was a rebel—one striving to build a society based on justice, equality, and compassion. At the same time, he did not hesitate to point out broader social contradictions, remarking that there could be “dacoits without labels” in large cities as well.
Balancing dialogue with both dacoits and law enforcement, Vinoba maintained a consistent commitment to truth and non-violence, enabling him to build trust across divides.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, and Man over Machine
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