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Chapter 30. Social Reforms
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tried everything in their power to change the decision, but it was all in vain. The invitations were sent out to each and every Oshwal family living in Halar, but the families of Lakha Kara, Goriben and the 27 families who had supported them were not invited.
These 27 families were well to do and well known and had a lot of influence with the Navanagar royal family. They were not ready to accept defeat. They were ready to fight back. The night before the date of the naat tedu people from faraway places started coming to Kansumara. A dinner was arranged for them. The 27 families with the families of Lakha Kara and Goribai also arrived there and asked to be served dinner along with the others. They were refused and were asked to leave.
They returned to Jamnagar. They were very angry. Next morning they went to Kansumara accompanied by police escort. They sat down with the others and demanded to be served. In spite of the order by the head of the police escort the organizers refused. The 27 families were very upset; they threw dirt in the dishes of the other guests and did not allow them to eat. They then forcefully took the food, ate the dinner and left.
There was confusion all over. People did not know what to do. They did not want to share the food with the satavisa. Immediately the leaders went to Jamnagar and lodged a complaint with the Jam Saheb. The satavisa lodged a counter-complaint. The Jam Saheb was put into a difficult situation. To him both the parties were equally dear. He hurried to the temple and prayed to Devi Ashapura, the family deity. He then ordered both the parties to come to an agreement, sit down and celebrate the feast together. Both the parties interpreted the order the way they wanted and declared themselves the winners.
Meanwhile the situation in Kansumara was becoming tense. Due to the interference by the police the food could not be served. The children were getting hungry and
