Samipya 1991 Vol 08 Ank 01 02

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

Page 72

Perhaps the maximum participation in this movement was of Bhavnagar state. The leaders of Bhavnagar met at the residence of Thakkerbapa's younger brother Dr. Keshavlal Thakker and decided to give a strong fight. Shri Jagubhai Parikh was nominated as their leader. They met every evening in public meeting being held near Darbargadh. The house named 'Inklab' of Shri Vajubhai Shah was the main centre for the planning of the struggle. His younger brother Babubhai Shah was editing the cyclostyled partrika named "Jang-e-Azadi". In spite of the arrest of many leaders this patrika (Pamphlet) was regularly but secretly published and circulated. Many a times after public meetings or processions municipal public lights and the boards of the post office were damaged.24 The students of Shamaldas College of Bhavnagar had taken a lead. They shouted slogans and picketed at the gate of the college. Prin. Sahani was a wise and popular principal. He handled the situation wisely. He did not allow the police officers to interfere. Instead he made water arrangement for the students. That's why this movement lasted long, but no damage was done to the college building by the students.25
In public meetings the Raj was criticised strongly. One of the aims of this aims of this struggle was to jeopardize the war supply of the British Raj. When it came to be known that a tailor of Bhavnagar had received order to supply military uniform, the volunteers picketed at his shop and the tailor gave up the order. Similarly when the volunteers knew about the manufacture of important engineering goods at railway workshop situated at Gadhechi area of Bhavnagar, they picketed there under the leadership of Jagubhai Parikh on 30-8-42 but including him total 19 leaders were arrested under Defence of India Act. Similarly when news was given that a steamer loaded with weapons had anchored at Bhavnagar port, about 2000 men and women went to Port which was declared a protected place. The state police arrested many on the way and total 111 were arrested and others were freed on bail.26 As it was difficult to accomodate all these, 19 who were arrested before a month were sent to Port Victor. 27
The women Volunteers of Bhavnagar were not lagging behind. Mrs. Kasturben, wife of Jorsang Kavi had lectured in the public meeting on 4-10-194228 while Durgaben Bhatt delivered a lecture at the Chowk of Ambaji's Banyan on 5-10-1942 which was attended by 400 persons. She spoke that our fight is not against the Maharaja or state of Bhavnagar but it is to drive out the British raj and to picket at the hoard of weapons. But if under the preasure of the British Agency, the princely state exercises tyrannical power on its subjects then our fight is against them also. The people will not tolerate it silently.29
In Gadhada the students of the school had a procession on 10-8--1942. In the public meeting one student had sung a song "Gandhi Tum Aaj Hindki Ek Shan Ban Gaye”30 On 15-8-42 a student of Shamaldas College Mr. Bhupatrai read a few paragraphs from a Patrika type book named "Janta No Jang" ("War of the People”).31
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[ Samipya : April, '91-March, 1992