Book Title: Santbal A Saint with a Difference
Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Navjivan Prakashan Mandir

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Page 101
________________ When the matter became intolerable they held a meeting and decided to get redress through Santbalji. Somebody had warned them that Santbal being himself a religious leader, he would not like to offend the feelings of the authorities of another religious institution. However, they thought it worth trying their luck and deputed five of their leaders to approach Santbal. They had heard that Ambubhai who was working as the Secretary of Khedut Mandal was a person of great courage and could not be influenced by anyone. They required such a person to help them 'as the temple authorities wielded great influence. Faljibhai and Ambubhai inquired from them whether the farmers who had sent them were firm in their stand. They said they were, but it could not be said whether all of them would remain firm throughout. These five persons who approached Faljibhai and Ambubhai, however, assured them that they themselves were prepared for the worst if Santbalji and Khedut Mandal were prepared to fight their cause. Santbalji then sent Ambubhai to Sarangpur to assess the situation. Ambubhai met the temple authorities and others and returned with the report that the complainants were correct in their story. A written complaint was taken from farmers. The temple authorities were not prepared to recognise the farmers as tenants though they were cultivating the lands for years. It was found that there was no alternative other than resorting to Shuddhi Prayog for which a week's notice was given. Nothing happened during this week except that almost all the farmers excepting the five who had approached Khedut Mandal, were won over by temple authorities. On 13th July, 1956 they started Shuddhi Prayog. One Nanchandbhai, a prominent worker of Khedut Mandal took the lead along with other five friends and offered three days' fast. Prayer meetings and other peaceful propaganda was also started 75 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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