Samipya 1991 Vol 08 Ank 01 02

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

Page 82

The atmosphere was charged with fear, uncertainty and distrust. The Congress considered it readily ripe for mass upsurge. It was believed the British would hand over authority. The Congress geared up its machinery.
Vallabhbhai Patel travelled far and wide in Gujarat during the months of June and July, 1942. He wanted to make Gujarat the epicentre of the ensuing movement. He organised public meetings, met cross sections of people, activated organizations, asked Industrialists, merchants, workers, peasants, leaders, volunteers to be ready to strike. On 2 July, 1942 at Surat he said, 20 "This will not be along struggle. It must produce quick results. We must get independence before the Japanese come here. On another occasion he stated, “Do not wait for any programme. This is the last battle of our life, invent your own programme. There is no time for jail going". On 25 July, 1942, be called Provincial Congress Committee meeting, while explaining the situation, he said pointblank, 21 "It would not stop even if there was civil war or anarchy. The Congress would not interfere if some people lost their temper and took drastic steps against the Government during the struggle."
He added, "Incidents like Chauri Chora would not deter Congress.” He covertly and overtly approved violence.
He went to Bombay to prepare for AICC meeting where the famous quit India resolution was passed on 8 August 1942. During the meeting he asked some of his lieutenants to have the scene soon so that they could escape arrest and carry underground movement. Chhotubhai Purani, Chandrashanker Bhatt ardent gymnasts left in disguise.22
The news of the arrest of Gandhi, Vallabhbhai and all rank and file leaders of the Congress spread like wide fire. The people became furious. The 1942 movement surpassed in its level of anti-British sentiments. The mill workers downed their tools, the students left their schools and colleges, the merchants downed the shutters, the business came to a virtual halt. The cities of Gujarat were the centres of agitation. It began to spread in rural areas also.
Kishorlal Mashruwala, a staunch Gandhian wrote in September, 1942 an article in Harijan Bandhu under the heading, "Do not talk, quickly act”. He explained in detail that violence without endangering any one's life could not be called violence in true sense. All the sabotage activities in the last battle for freedom was justifide”. Kaka Kalelkar a notable Gandhian openly supported Mashruwala 23
In the Surat district which had the history of support to congress, the urban and rural based Patidars, Anavil Brahmins, Vaniya peasants issued a Patrika toeing the line of action showed by staunch Gandbians which stated :
'Everywhere in the world the people struggling for freedom had to take recourse to violence. Indians have, however, forefitted this, right because of the influence of Mahatma Gandhi. But to dismantle railway tracks, to dislodge lines of communication:
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[Samipya : April, '91-March, 1992