Santbal A Saint with a Difference

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Navjivan Prakashan Mandir

Page 99

Accordingly, Faljibhai, Ambubhai, Navalbhai, Jayantibhai Shah and others went to Anjar, held public meetings, explained how the grave injustice was done to the farmers who were tilling the land and earning their livelihood and declared the start of Shuddhi Prayog which began with three days fasts. Injustice to the farmers was so obvious and the object of giving preference to the acquired land was so transparent that local population including social workers gave full support. Public media also gave strong support and publicity. The matter reached the Government circle. Shri Premjibhai, who represented Kutch, was Dy. Minister in the Govt. of Bombay at that time. He called the leaders of the movement for talks at Bombay where Santbalji was also camping for this Chaturmas.
In presence of Santbalji talks started but Premjibhai, the Deputy Minister, took the stand that deacquisition was not possible as the matter had reached a very advance stage. Faljibhai and others of the movement felt that if the Government was unable to help the farmers who were losing their only means of livelihood on account of the acquisition which was made behind their back, they would have no alternative but to lay down their lives in the process of Shuddhi Prayog, and that they were determined to do so. Premjibhai did not respond and the negotiations failed. Next day the leaders of the movement were to leave Bombay.
Next morning, before they were to leave, Premjibhai returned to them and said that he would not like to use police power against the movement, and was willing to leave the matter to the arbitration of Faljibhai and Ambubhai. He, however, asked them to bear in mind the fact that since the possession of six acres of land of Dhanjibhai was already taken away and constructions were raised thereon and since remaining 16 acres of Dhanjibhai's possession were contiguous to the town, it would be in fitness of the thing to persuade Dhanjibhai either to get full compensation
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