Samipya 1991 Vol 08 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 71

that the struggle would be more difficult in the Kathiawar States, where the congress was in most cases outlawed. States like Nawanagar, Junagadh or Gondal would not allow even public meetings or the distribution of Nationalist literature. They doubted the princely states people's capacity of fight and the sacrifice needed for sustaining the struggle.19 In few states like Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Vadhwan etc. Praja Mandal or Parishads (peoples' Associations or conferences) were started by the nationalists. The objective of the Praja Mandal was to create a public opinion in favour of the peoples participation in the Political life of the region.
The nationalist volunteers and leaders of Saurashtra had shown their worth by staging some Satyagrahas in Saurashtra and succeeding in them. They had participated in some of the important events of the nationalist movement in neighbouring British Gujarat also. Gandhiji and Sardar Patel were very much impressed by their work. But the passing of the resolution concerned with the Indian states at Haripura session of Congress in 1938 implanted a new enthusiasm in the freedom fighters of Saurashtra. The Draft of this resolution was the handiwork of Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramaiyya at Navsari Convention of All India States Peoples Conference. It said that the objective of Congress of Complete independence applies to the whole of India including the states. Subhashchandra Bose in his presidential address spoke-"There are people in the Congress like myself who would like the Congress participating more actively in the movement of the states people. I personally hope that in the near future it will be possible for the I. N. C. to take a foreward step and offer a helping hand to our fellowfighters in the states. Let us not forget, they need our sympathy and our help" 20 Thus the Haripura Congress resolution encouraged the effort to achieve responsible government in the states. Thus the national movement gathered momentum in the princely states through their Praja Mandals also.
The Congress working Committee passed the resolution of "Quit India” on 8th Aug., 1942. Gandhiji considered this to be the last struggle to achieve independence. His message was "Do or die". Though before 25 months on 24-5-1942 Gandhiji had said to the British Leave India to God and that be too much, leave her to anarchy".21 This was the signal for Quit India Campaign. Before this last struggle could start on 9th August, the British Govt. arrested many important and Congress leaders late in night. Afterwards also many leaders and volunteers were arrested.
The news of the arrest of Gandhiji and other Congress leaders on 9-8-942 had an immediate strong reaction. The people started non-violent demonstrations in the form of meetings, hartals and processions over nearly the whole of India.22 It has its reactions in the princely states of Saurashtra also. Important leaders were arrested from Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Vadhwan, Botad, Palitana, Porbandar, Wankaner, Morbi etc. Two important leaders of Saurashtra Shri U. N. Dhebar and Balwantrai Mehta were arrested at Wadhwan Junction while returning from Bombay and sent to Jail at Rajkot.23
Quit India Movement in Princely States of Saurashtra ]
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