CONGRESS SITUATION IN GUJARAT

Praja Bandhu, Ahmedabad weekly,

Mr. Vallabhbhai Patel has been again appointed President of the Deskroi Taluka Samiti. At the last annual general meeting of the Daskroi Taluka Samiti held in the Premabhai Hall last Sunday he earnestly pressed for the appointment of some one else, but as none showed readiness to accept the post, he was unanimously asked to continue holding it. This is significant answer to those who were perpetually hounding him for the last three months. A local contemporary had opened its columns for his vilification, and till the last moment it had continued suggesting the appointment of better persons. But better persons were conspicuous by their absence, and the choice of the voters again fell on Mr. Vallabhbhai.

In fact there is no person abler and better fitted at present to lead Gujarat than Mr. Vallabhbhai. He is fearless in word and deed, but his fearlessness does not end in bravado. He takes a calmer view of the situation, and shapes his conduct accordingly. He realises that for the present the path of duty lies in silent, peaceful work among the masses. We are not yet prepared for offering civil disobedience. The inauguration of civil disobedience will bring in its train, as it has done in other Provinces, an awful reign of repression. The people will either resort to violence or will be cowed down. In either case the hands of our progress will be set back, and the forces of reaction will triumph.

Mahatma Gandhi saw all this from the outbreak at Chauri Chaura. He shuffled off his campaign of mass civil disobedience in Bardoli, and advised concentration on constructive work. Even at the time of his conviction and sentence to a long term of six years the one word that was on his lips was Khaddar. Khaddar will vitalise and unify India into a strong and united nation which no power on earth will keep under subjection. Mr. Vallabhbhai is but following the instructions of Mahatma Gandhi, and he has thereby incurred the wrath of some of his followers. He is organising the production and distribution of Khaddar without any speeches or demonstrations, and the people concluded that he is doing nothing.
Picketting is a kind of force to which Indians are not yet amenable. They see in it the violation of their natural rights, and they hesitate not to stop to the lowest means for opposing it. Wherever it has been used, it has aroused the bitterest feelings and has resulted in the worst forms of retaliatory measures. Mr. Vallabhbhai is not therefore wrong when he advises the giving up picketting and the reliance on personal example. The shining torch of personal example is more eloquent than picketting or preaching. If we improve ourselves the world cannot but be improved.

THE PUNJAB CONGRESS SITUATION - SARDAR PATEL

We have received a communique issued by the Punjab Congress Publicity Bureau-- this time, we are glad to say, in a fairly legible form. It is a review of the situation from the Congress point of view of the province during the week ending 30th June. The number of members of the Congress has again come up to 70000. The campaign against drink has been vigorously pressed forward. The sale of liquor in the whole province, we are told, has decreased considerably and habitual drinkers of intoxicants have become sober and temperate. This is indeed good news though it is attributed to "successful picketing." We are inclined to agree with the view expressed by Mr. Vallabhbhai Patel as to the unsuitableness of picketing in several parts of the country, but in the Punjab where the Araya Samaj the Sikh reform and other movements have prepared the way, the case may be different. We should have much liked some statistical data other than the number of picketers imprisoned, as to the fall in the sale of liquor and drunkenness. We are glad to see an attempt in this direction made as regards Khaddar 'Propaganda. As an instance of steady growth of production of tharka-made yarn and manufacture of Khaddar in Punjab villages, it is noted that "at Akalgarh, a village in Gujranwala, there are 617 charkhas in use daily and the outturn per day is one maund. There is a stock of 51 maunds yarn in the village at present and daring the last two months 18725 yards of khaddar have been made in 6o handlooms worked by 70 weavers." At the rate of a maund a day, 6o maunds of yarn would have been produced in two months, out of which 51 maunds remains In stock. Eighteen thousand yards of khaddar will, we fancy, require much more than 9 maunds of yarn, and where the weavers got the balance from is left to conjecture. Panchayats are said to be working satisfactorily in ll districts, but the best part of this communique is that referring to the abolition of untouchability. A grand dinner at which all castes and untouchables participated was attended by 1500 persons, including 100 ladies. The communique does not refer to the other important item of the Bardoli programme, namely, the promotions of brotherly feelings between all communities. Pandit Motilal Nehru speaking at Lahore last week stated that the Punjab witnesses before the Congress Enquiry Committee, which had just finished sitting at Lahore, deposed that Hindu Mahomedan relations in that province were not of the most harmonious kind, and he emphasised that Hindu-Mahomedan unity was a sine qua non of Swaraj. That definitely rules out the Punjab as regards fitness for civil disobedience. 

SCHEME OF SWARAJ

The Tribune, Lahore Daily, (Indipendent)

If we do want new body, and for our part we have said repeatedly that we do, it is because just at present the Congress is not fully representative of the country as a whole whether as regards the definiteness of its expressed ideal or as regards the methods on which it relies for the realisation of that ideal. Undoubtedly, as Mr. Patel pointed out, we all want the same thing, but that is a very different thing from saying that the country as a whole subscribes to the first ARticle of the Congress Creed as that Article is at present expressed. This in fact, is and has always been our strongest objection to the change in the Congress Creed. As regards methods the position is even worse, The liberals are totally opposed to non-co-operation, ad even the Independents do not believe that by itself and without vital modification it can lead the country to its goal within a measurable distance of time. It is just because this is so that we do want a new body, a body on which, as Pandit Malaviya said, all those who believe in the attainment of dominion self-government as the object of our political endeavour and in peaceful, legitimate and constitutional activity as the sole method by which that object is to be attained, should be represented. Such a body will, speaking broadly, carry out the idea of the Congress as of all other political bodies in the country, but for carrying it out, it will work along lines on which neither the present Congress nor any other body at present existing in the country can work, lines which will represent a synthesis of the cherished  and conflicting ideals and views of all sections of the party of self-government in the country. It will in other words present a common meeting ground for all these bodies for the formulation of a common programme, leaving each of the component units free to carry on its own work in its own way so long as neither the work nor the way is inconsistent with the general work and the general way of the country as a whole.

SOME ANCIENT HINDU INTERMARRIAGES

A correspondent writing in the Searchlight of Patna in support of Mr. Patel's bill to validate intermarriages among Hindus of all castes, gives a few striking instances of such marriages in ancient times when, he maintains, such unions were held valid and their issue regarded as legitimate. Rishi Vashishtha married one Akshamala, a woman of low caste. Roshi Mandapala married Shrangi, also a low caste woman. Rishi Jamadagni married Renuka, a Kshatriya princess and begot the illustrious Parasurama upon her. Rishi Vaishravana married one Kaikasi, the daughter of a Rakshasa name Sumali and begot upon her the celebrate Ravana, the King of Lanka, Kumbhakarana and Vibhishana. Rishi Goutama married the beautiful Ahalya who was a daughter of a Kshatriya king name Mudgala. Shatnanda, the family priest of King Janak was born out or this wedlock. King Dushyanta married Shakuntala, only a half Kshatriya girl begotten by the sage Vishvamitra upon Menaka, a nymph. King Bharata after whom India has been named Bharatvarsha, was the issue of this marriage. Lord Rama Chandra, married Sita, "a founding of unknown parentage, whom King Janaka had adopted as his daughter." The fact that she was the daughter of Earth or that she was born of a pitcher filled with the blood of Rishis, the correspondent holds, justifies him in holding that she had no caste at all. King Yayati, the famous King of the Lunar Dynasty, had two wives, namely, Devayani and Sharmistha, both of different castes from himself and as well as from each other. Devayani was a Brahmin and Sharmishtha was a Daitya by caste. Lord Shri Krishna was a descendant of this King Yayati through his Brahmin wife Devayani. King Shantanu, the common ancestor of the famous Kauravas and Pandavas, married Satyavati, the daughter of a fisherman and the progeny of this matrimony were held lawful successors to the throne of Hastinapur. The correspondent goes on to say:" Many will be amazed to hear that the foremost of the Hindu Rishis, namely, Vashista, Narada, Parasar, Vyasa and Baradvaja, whose work in Literature, Science, Art and Philosophy are still the object of wonder to foreigners, were born to parents as widely apart from each other in the scale of the Hindu Society as the two poles asunder. Vajra Such Upanishad (Vajrasuchyupanishad), attached to the Sama Veda, says that Vashishtha was the son of a woman of very low social position; Parasara, of a Chaandali; Narada, of a maidservant; Vyasa, the famous author of the Mahabharat, of a fisher-woman and Bhardwaja, a Shudri. As according to the Scriptures, the true criterion of a man's caste is his action and not his birth it matters very little to whatever castes his parents belong. But if we take birth as the criterion of a man's respectability, the most revered Rishis of the Hindus would be huried down to the lowest depth."

Courtesy : Indian Social Reformer - December 22, 1918 page 218

THE INDIAN LIBERAL CLUB

A political club called "The Indian Liberal Club" has been founded with the object of promoting the scientific study of politics in general and Indian politics in particular and of providing facilities for free and well informed discussions on current political topics as well as abstract political questions. Sir Narayan Chandavarkar who was in the chair said that in forming political opinions exact study was extremely necessary. Mere a priori reasoning would not do and recourse must be had to the historical method. The speaker added that the political association to be started was exactly on the lines which were mooted at a private meeting held a few months ago at Calcutta at the house of Sir Krishna Gupta when the Hon'ble Mr. Basu was present. Sir Narayan has been elected as the president of the club and the Managing Committee for the first year will consist of the Hon'ble Mr. R. P. Paranjpye, The Hon'ble Mr. V. J. Patel, Mr. G. K. Devdhar, Mr. S. M. Varde, Mr. T. A. Kulkarni, and Mr. M. D. Altekar. Messrs. J. R. Gharpure and C. S. Deole will be Joint Honorary Secretaries. The office the Club will be at the Servants of India Society's Home, Sandhurst Road, Bombay.

INTER CASTE MARRIAGE BILL - MR. V. J. PATEL

Mr. Patel’s Inter-caste Hindu Marriage Bill was referred last week to a Select Committee of the Imperial Legislative Council. All the non-official members of the council are members of the Committee, and the Law Member of Government is the only official on it. We print today an article by Mr. Lele on the Bill. Mr. Lele agrees that an age limit should be fixed, but objects to the introduction of a provision to ensure that parties taking advantage of the Bill should have no other husband or wife living. We have just time to-day to state that we strongly disapprove of his line of reasoning. There should be one law and one rule of right for man and woman, and, whatever the Hindu law-giver might have thought in ancient times, we most emphatically protest against the British Indian Legislature extending his one-sided doctrines to a new set of facts. We may add that since his return from England, Mr. Patel has personally assured us that he will himself introduce the age-limit as well as the monogamous principle into the Bill in Select Committee.

Mr. V. J. Patel elected as members of the Bombay Legislative Council - VITHALBHAI PATEL

THE HON. MR. V. J. PATEL ELECTED AS MEMBERS OF THE BOMBAY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Hon. Mr. V. J. Patel has been elected by the non official members of the Bombay Legislative Council to the seat in the Imperial Legislative Council rendered vacant by the elevation of Sir Ibrahim Rahimutulla to the membership of the Executive Council of the Governor of Bombay. The election was unanimous, there being no other candidate. Mr. Patel is sure to make his mark in the larger sphere to which he is now called. A quiet, unpretentious worker, his grasp on our public questions is firm and vigorous. He is not addicted to heroics of any kind such as do duty for industry and capacity in the case of some of our legislators.

FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION - VITHALBHAI PATEL

The fundamental need of the country at the present time is a wide diffusion of education among the people. At the last Census, only 149, in one thousand males and 13 in one thousand females were literate in the sense of being able to write a letter to a friend read his reply, Children under 15 years of age are not included in Ibis estimate, this one circumstance militates against attempts at every kind of improvement. The late Mr. Gokhale introduced a Bill in the Imperial Legislative Council five years ago to permit the introduction of, free and compulsory education by local bodies within & their areas under certain stringent conditions. The Bill was opposed by Government and thrown out. It is now generally recognized that the action of Government in opposing that very cautions measure was a great mistake. Government of course, made promises of furthering primary education, and made some large grants for the purpose. But the war has intervened and has put in end to all progress for many years. One of the arguments used by Sir Harcourt Butler, the then member for Education, against Mr. Gokhale's Bill was that such a measure should be introduced in the provincial and not in the Indian Legislative Council. Acting on the suggestion, the Hon. Mr. V. J. Patel, obtained the permission or Government to introduce Bill to permit municipalities in this Presidency, other than the Bombay Municipal Corporation, to introduce free and compulsory primary education within their jurisdictions, The Bill passed into law at the last session of the Bombay Legislative Council and awaits the assent of the Viceroy.

The Act provides that, with the previous sanction of the local Government, a municipality may declare by notification that primary education of boys and girl or of boys only or of girls only shall be compulsory from a given date. The limit of age in the Act is between 6 and 11 years. The load Government should be satisfied before the notification is issued that the municipality is in a position, to make and will make adequate provision in municipal or other recognized schools for free and compulsory primary education, The resolution of the municipality must be passed at general meeting specially called in this behalf, and must be supported by at least, two-third of the councilors present at the meeting, and by at least one-half of the whole number of councilors Among reasonable excuses for non-attendance at school of a child, is that there is no  recognized school within one mile, measured according to the nearest road, from residence of the child. The school committee of the municipality is the authority entrusted with the duty of making inquiries and passing orders enjoining the attendance of children at school, and no cognizance can be taken of failure to send a child to school except on the complaint of the committee. The maximum fine that can be imposed for the offence is five pees. The penalty for employing children, in respect of whom the provisions of the Act apply, so as to interfere with their efficient instruction, is a maximum fine of twenty five rupees. The clause "so as to interfere with the efficient instruction of such child." was introduced at the second reading of the Bill in the Council against the protest of the mover and several other members. For the purpose of this Act the municipality is empowered to levy special taxation. The only other important provision of the Act is that which authorizes Government to exempt any particular class from its operation.

It will be seen from this summary of the main provisions of the Act, that it is best with numerous and effective safeguards against hasty and injudicious application. In anticipation of the Viceroy's assent, the Municipality of Bandra, and ancient town in the island of Salsette, separated from Bombay City by a narrow creek, has passed, virtually unanimously, resolutions asking for the sanction of the local government to apply the provisions of the Act within the area under its control to both boys and girls. Bandra was two centuries ago the site of a great Portuguese Collage priesthood. Manucci, the author of the famous chronicles of the great Moghuls, lived there for about a year and has left in interesting account of his sojourn in Bandra in his monumental work. The town has a population of 25000 inhabitants. Thanks to the labours of the Roman Catholic clergy, a considerable proportion, about 60% of the population of school going age, is already at school. The task before the municipality is thus very much lighter than in many other towns in this country. The fact that Mr. Patel, the author of the legislation, is a member of the municipal council, has of course greatly stirred the enthusiasm of his colleagues. The municipality proposes to increase the house tax and to earmark the proceeds of much increase for the special object of primary education. We hope that the example of Bandra will be followed by many other municipalities in this Presidency where the conditions are favourable to the application of Mr. Patel's Act.

Indian Social Reformer - January 20th, 1918

Chronology of Principal Events in Sardar's Life - Part 1

Chronology of Principal Events in Sardar's Life

1875

Born on 31st October at Nadiad, Khaira District, Gujarat. Fourth son of Jhaverbhai Patel, a farmer of Karamsad in the same district, and Ladbai. Belonged to agricultural caste known as Leuva Patidar. Schooling up to English third Standard at Karamsad.

1891

English 4th and 5th standards at Petlad, a small town seven miles from Karamsad. Lived in a rented room with four or five other boys, with seven day's ration. Walked from Karamsad to Petlad every week.

1893

At the age of 18 married Jhaverba of Gana, a small village three miles from Karamsad.

1897

Matriculated from a high school in Nadiad, Kaira District, at 22

1900

Passed district Pleader's examination. Studied with books borrowed from friends. Set up independent practice at Godhra, headquarters of Panchmahals district, Gujarat. Contracted bubonic plague from a court nazir whom he nursed when an epidemic broke out in Godhra.

1902

Shifted practice to Borsad, where he quickly made a name as a criminal lawyer.

1905

Saved enough money to go to England to become a barrister, but postponed departure in deference to the wishes of his elder brother Vithalbhai, who came to know about his plan and wished to go first. Looked after his brother's wife while he was away.

1909

Wife Jhaverba died after an operation in Bombay. Received a telegram containing news of her death while arguing a murder case in Borsad, but continued case until hearing was completed. In spite of pressure from friends and relations, refused to marry again.

1910

Left for England. Admitted to Middle Temple.

1911

Passed preliminary examination with honors, standing first in Equity. Fell ill with a tropical disease unknown in England. Doctors wanted to amputate his leg, but a German doctor intervened and cured him through an operation which he underwent without chloroform. 

1912

Took final examination after sixth term instead of usual 12. Stood first in first class, winning a prize of £50 and exemption from two terms. Sailed for India the day after convocation.

1913

Reached Bombay in 13th February. Refused post in Judicial Department as a lecturer in Government Law School, Bombay and left for Ahmedabad, where he established himself as foremost criminal lawyer.

1915

Member, Gujarat Sabha, which was converted into Gujarat Provincial Congress Committee in 1919. 

1917 

Elected member of Ahmedabad Municipal Board. Election challenged and set aside. Stood in a by-election and was returned unopposed. Mahatma Gandhi, president of the first Gujarat Provincial Conference, appointed an executive committee with Patel as secretary. Impressed by Gandhi's leadership of the agitation against the British indigo planters of Champaran, Bihar. 

Conducted agitation against begar (forced labour for Government purposes). Led agitation against the appointment of a British member of the Indian Civil Service as Municipal Commissioner and secured his removal. 

As Chairman of the Sanitary Committee of Ahmedabad, stayed on in city when most of the citizens went away during an epidemic of plague. Took a leading role in helping sufferers and enforcing precautionary measures. 

1918 

Organised famine relief work in Ahmedabad district. 

Represented textile mill labour with Gandhi and Shankarlal Banker before a tribunal appointed to hear a dispute between labour and millowners. 

Put up a temporary hospital in city with grant from Municipal Board to Gujarat Sabha to combat severe influenza epidemic. Organised no-tax campaign in Kaira district along with Gandhi. During campaign Gandhi said he was testing Patel, adding later that Patel had turned out to be "pure gold." Chairman, Sanitary Committee and Public Works Committee of Ahmedabad Municipality. 

Helped Gandhi in recruitment drive for British Indian Army. They used to walk together for miles and cooked their own food. 

1919

Chairman, :Managing Committee, Ahmedabad Municipal Board. 

Organised movement against Rowlatt Bills designed to strangle movement for self rule. Led big demonstration march in Ahmedabad on 6 April and addressed public meeting against bills. Sold publicly Gandhi's proscribed books, Hind Swaraj and Sarvodaya, and published Satyagraha Patrika in Gujarati without official declaration or permission. Government took no action. 

Helped local authorities restore peace and order after large scale disturbances leading to martial Law in Ahmedabad after arrest of Gandhi. 

Served with a show-cause notice for cancellation of his sanad (permit to practice law) for participating in a public meeting advocating satyagraha. Case ended with a warning. Refused to pay fine imposed by Government as penalty for riots in city. Sofa attached and auctioned for Rs. 100. 

1920 

Organised campaign of Congress Party in elections to Ahmedabad Municipal Board. Congress captured almost all elected seats. Discarded western dress and adopted khadi dhoti, kurta and chappals. Burnt all his foreign clothes. Way of life also changed to traditional pattern in Gujarat. Organised a conference of political workers of Gujarat in Ahmedabad and persuaded it to adopt a resolution supporting Gandhi's civil disobedience movement. 

In response to Gandhi's call at Nagpur session of Congress to collect money for Tilak Swaraj Fund, promised to raise Rs. 1 million and enrol 300,000 party members in Gujarat. Fulfilled these promises within three months. 

1921 

Elected chairman of Reception Committee of 36th session of Congress held at Ahmedabad. For first time, delegates sat on. floor and the session set new pattern in simplicity, austerity and businesslike proceedings. 

Built a hospital and maternity home on 21 acres of land along Sabarmati river at site of session. The fountain built at that time Is still there. 

1922 

Government of Bombay suspended Ahmedabad Municipality after a sharp tussle over supervision of municipal schools. Organised schools under People's Primary Edu­cation Board with public contributions. Municipality suspended. Collected Rs. 1 million for Gujarat Vidyapith in a tour which took him up to Rangoon.

1923 

All-India Congress Committee deputed him to conduct satyagraha at Nagpur in connection with British District Commissioner's ban on flying national flag in cantonment area. 

Resisted Bombay Government's levy of punitive tax on people of Borsad who were charged with harboring criminals. Tax withdrawn. Called Suba of Borsad. 

1924 

Ahmedabad Municipality reinstated. Fresh elections gave Congress Party a decisive majority in enlarged Municipal Council. Elected President of municipality. 

1927 

Passed a resolution giving notice to Ahmedabad Cantonment to pay water tax from 1920 at rate of eight annas. If tax was not paid, threatened to cut off water connection. Tax paid under protest. 

Introduced khadi uniform in municipality. Municipal work was conducted in Gujarati after he became President. His scheme for supplying pure water passed. 

Completed drainage scheme during term as President. Collected all arrears of municipal tax not paid by high officials, some well-to-do people and municipal Councillors by cutting water connections and attaching properties. 

Unprecedented rainfall caused great damage and hardship throughout Gujarat. Saved Ahmedabad from floods by getting culverts breached. Organised relief measures for flood sufferers with public contributions. Promoted grow¬more food and fodder campaigns and opened shops to sell high-quality gram, cereal and cotton seed for sowing at low cost to farmers. Received more than Rs. 10 million from Government earmarked for famine relief. A new party emerged in Ahmedabad Municipality. Clashed with it over appointment of chief officer. 

1928 

Resigned presidency. Led peasant agitation in Bardoli taluka, Surat district, against increase in land revenue rates. Bombay Government punished farmers for non¬payment by confiscating and auctioning land, crops and other property.  As agitation continued unabated, Government agreed to restore all unsold confiscated land, release satyagrahis, reinstate dismissed village officers and reduce land tax. Named Sardar of Bardoli and thereafter known as Sardar Patel. Presided over first local self-government conference in Surat. 

1929 

Presided over Maharashtra Political Conference in Poona, Toured Maharashtra, mobilising public opinion against enhanced land taxes and untouchability. 

Presided over Kathiawar Political Conference at Morvi, Toured Madras Presidency at request of C. Rajagopalachari. Presided over Tamil Nadu Political Conference at Vedaranyam, Reiterated support for Congress resolution on dominion status at conference against supporters of complete independence. Also visited Karnatak and Bihar. At Calcutta session of Congress advocated support to all-party committee headed by Motilal Nehru which recommended acceptance of dominion status as India's political goal, provided demand was granted within two years. Motilal Nehru, Congress President, moved a resolution from chair congratulating Patel and peasants of Bardoli on victory over British bureaucracy. Nominated in September as a candidate for presidency of Congress session at Lahore but withdrew in favour of Jawaharlal Nehru. 

1930 

Arrested on 7 March while addressing a public meeting at Ras village, near Borsad, a few days after Gandhi announced march to Dandi near Surat, to break salt law. Preceded marchers to arrange accommodation and food on way. Sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 500 or three weeks' additional imprisonment. Refused to pay fine and lodged in Sabarmati jail, Ahmedabad. vent on hunger-strike in jail, requesting C class diet in¬stead of A class. Request granted. Released on 26 June. Arrested when leading a procession in Bombay on 31 July and sentenced to three months' jail. Taken to Yeravda jail near Poona. On release, made a speech at Khadi Bhandar, for which he was arrested. Sentenced to nine month!' imprisonment in the second week of December. 

1931 

Released from jail in March under Gandhi-Irwin Pact. 

Presided over 46th Congress session at Karachi in last schools. Organised schools under People's Primary Edu¬cation Board with public contributions. Municipality suspended. Collected Rs. I million for Gujarat Vidyapith in a tour which took him up to Rangoon. 

...........To be Continued