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Vol. No. XLIII No. 35 of 1930. BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE Poona, August 30, 1930. POLITICAL, POLITICO-RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL MOVEMENT 1465. Civil Disobedience Movement. General Summary. (1) S. B., Bombay Presidency, Poona, August 16.—In the northern districts, agitation among students has been noticeable, while in Nasik, West Khandesh, Satara and in the southern districts agitation against the forest laws continues. National flag agitation, which is a form of propaganda which costs little but which easily raises passions, has been much exploited. National flag agitation has also been employed to inflame the youths in Poona and a part of students from the Benares Hindu University sponsored by Pandit Malaviya have helped to stimulate them. Women have also taken part in picketing the Fergusson College here, though not with great success.

1The Rajadroha was probably the vernacular version of the Revolt. See Daily Report part of this volume. 811

Forest agitation has been given a religious tinge, and a leaflet has appeared in West Khandesh telling the villagers that the cow, which is sacred to them, used to be well-ted in the past when grazing was free, but that this satanic Government has been changing all this by repressive grazing laws. The prospect of free grazing ana iree wood from the forest, combined with appeals on behalf of the cow, are likely to prove a stimulant to agitation an these parts. The simpleminded Bhil and his more sophisticated Maratha neighbour of Sakri taluka in West Khandesh district, and the adjoining parts of the Nasik district are likely to respond to it if counter measures are not adopted.

* * *

(2)Thana.—Week ending August 2, 22 meetings, none with an attendance of over 600. Speakers from Bombay urged that no notice should be taken of peace negotiations. The other usual subjects were spoken on. (3)Bandra.—Usual daily meetings and small audiences. Subjects discussed, khaddar and appeals to volunteers to come to Ville Parle Chhawani. (4)Nasik.—25 meetings, attendances over 1,000 at Nasik, July 24 (2,000), Yeola, July 26 (1,000), Kalwan, July 30 (9,000). Kalwan and Satana are the worst affected talukas. Malegaon, Niphad and Yeola are also active. The movement shows signs of increasing in Nandgaon taluka. (5)East Khandesh.—17 meetings, attendances over 1,000 at Jalgaon, July 31 (1,000), August 1 (4,000). Prabhat feris continue daily. (6)West Khandesh.—30 meetings. Mainly forest satyagraha and temperance propaganda. (7)Poona.—Week ending August 9. The Poona Youth League concluded the boycott week on August 4 and Congress week was immediately inaugurated with the object of raising Congress membership. There were daily processions in which large numbers took part. The attendance was 6,000 on August 7 and 12,000 on August 10. 1,200 women members are said to have been enrolled. V. B. Davre, a fiery speaker, is being prosecuted. On Gandhi Day (August 5), the students of the Fergusson, Sir Parashurambhau and some other colleges in Poona hoisted the national flags on the college buildings and showed considerable youthful excitement. Popatlal Ramchandra Shah has taken control of all the prabhat feris in the city. Week ending August 16. 9,000 new Congress members are stated to have been enrolled. The Fergusson College was picketed by women of the Spinners' Association on August 13, but this proved ineffective and was called off. Forest agitation being stimulated at Saswad. There has been a good deal of mischief reported in connection with forest grazing satyagraha. (8) Sholapur.—Week ending August 9. Daily processions at Pandharpur and a meeting on August 8. 812

(9) Satara.—Week ending August 2. 77 meetings at which highly objectionablee language is being used. The Police and Government servants were openly abused. Boycott of Government servants and breach of the forest laws were preached. (10)Ratnagiri.—17 meetings, but small audiences, only one over 300. (11)Kolaba.—22 meetings. Though audiences are small the cult of non-co-operation is spreading. (2) S. B., Bombay Presidency, Poona, August 23.—Agitation is still general throughout the districts, particularly in ……………….. Nasik, West Khandesh, Poona, Satara………………… and Kolaba. Most of the efforts appear to be directed towards stimulating the students and fowards inciting the villagers to commit offences against forest laws. There are no developments of fresh forms of agitation. The following are details of the state of agitation in the individual districts :— (1)Thana.—Week ending August 9. 18 meetings, largest audience 500 at Shahapur. (2)Bandra.—Week ending August 9. Usual daily meetings with small audiences. Prabhat feris continue to be taken out. (3) Nasik.—25 meetings of some importance are reported. Centres of agitation are Nasik, Yeola, Nandgaon, Kalwan and Baglan talukas. The situation is much the same as regards forest agitation. (4)West Khandesh.—22 meetings, attendances over 1,000 at Dhulia, August 6 (1,000), Sindkheda, August 9 (3,000) and Shahada, August 6 (1,000). Sakri taluka is still playing a principal part in forest agitation. (5)East Khandesh.—11 meetings. No audience of over 1,000, prabhat feri processions continue. (6)Satara.—70 meetings. The movement takes the principal form of anti-forest agitation and there were four cases of open defiance of forest laws. In two cases villagers forcibly removed their impounded cattle and in the other two cases villagers went out en masse, into the reserved forest area and cut down grass and fuel. (7)Ratnagiri.—27 meetings. eight of which were in protest of the arrest of Congress leaders at Bombay. Audiences were small with the exception of a meeting at Malwan attended by 4,000. At the hoisting of the national flag on the Vengurla Municipality, 2,000 men and 1,500 boys and girls were present. (8)Kolaba.—August 16. 32 meetings with small audiences. Bombay speakers are occasionally imported to enthuse the proceedings. Breach of forest laws at Tinvira, on August 16, in Alibag taluka. Two instigators were arrested on the spot. 1466. Agitation. (1) Thana, August 16.—The following were among the meetings held in the district : —

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 10th August Bhivandi 1,000 Congratulating prisoners, calling for volunteers and for boycott of foreign cloth and prohibition. 813

Date Place Attendance Remarks

(1) (2) (3) (4) 15th August Vada 300 Vasudeo Purushottam Acharya of Vada said the Russian example should be followed and Government driven out. Britishers should be boycotted. 10th August Shahapur 2,000 Observing prisoners' day and hoisting the Congress flag on the Local Board Office. 12th August Sopara, Police 300 Govind Dharmaji Vartak1 of Virar said British rule was Station shameful and spcke on prohibition, boycott of Bassein foreign goods.

At Bhivandi although the loss of business is being badly felt, Momins are now beginning to side with Congress. About 500 of them collected on August 10 to picket a meeting of Police Patils and Talathis which was postponed, and held on August 15. On this occasion about 100 picketers were present. At Bassein as a result of the action against picketers there is much bitter feeling against the Police. Picketing is likely to continue. Kalyan remains quiet and the leaders and merchants are tired of the Movement. (3)Bombay Suburban District, August 16.—Meetings held include the following : —

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 16 Ville Parle 300 to 400 Requests for volunteers were made. Volunteers were told at the not to quarrel among themselves. . Abdulla Rahimtulla Chhawani complained that the merchants appeared to be against the boycott of foreign cloth, which was bad, because the movement depends on them. V. J. Patel said he was glad to see the local enthusiasm for this movement. If they wanted swaraj they must boycott British goods and manufacture yarn. He had left Government owing to its present policy. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya merely supported Patel and requested the women to spin and ply charkhas, which would help them to obtain swaraj. The usual remarks were made about the Government having gone mad, and women were requested to join the movement. August 16 Ghatkopar 1,500 Speeches were made on boycott, and that all were ready to go to jail, charkhas and taklis were the only means of fighting. Vithalbhai J. Patel said very little, merely requesting the audience to listen to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya addressed the meeting in Hindi. He requested the audience not to use foreig cloth because thereby they lost 70 crores of rupees. Women also should take part in the movement. In the Dast many women had fought for India, All should work on taklis and charkhas in their homes.

1 Famous freedom fighter and Social worker in Thana district. 814

Date Place Audiencs Remarks (1) (1) (3) (4) August 16 Versowa, 500 Abdulla Rahimtulla and Raraibai Kamdar stated that Andheri Government had taken money on several occasions from taluka. the Kolis and reduced them to poverty. All should, therefore, join the Congress, boycott British goods and break civil laws. The British people boasted that the sun never sets on the British Empire ; they must prove by this movement that it did set. All must remember that the movement was non- violent. The business of England has slackened and the labouring classes were starving. August 12 Malad, The following resolution was passed— Andheri " With a view to complete the programme as drafted by the taluka. Working Committee of the National Congress, the Comm ittee requests the Satyagraha Camp, Ville Parle, to extend its activities at Malad and create the necessary atmosphere to picket liquor and toddy shops here." The Malad Congress has a membership of about 500 and there is every reason to believe that the public is ready to respond to the call of the Satyagraha Committee, Ville Parle. Copies of this resolution to be sent to the Senapati, Ville Parle Satyagraha Camp, to the president, Suburban Congress Committee, and to the president of the Maharashtra Congress Committee with a request to the two latter bodies to open a satyagraha camp at Malad. August 16 Borivli 90 Ganapatrai Shambushankar Rindani said the meeting was held in honour of Navalbhai Jerajani and Bhalchandra Wadekar, who were released that day from jail having undergone a terrible hardship for their country. August 16 Bandra 800 S. S. Naik presided, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya said :— "India is 8 times bigger than England in size and population. India produces cotton and wheat, which England lacks. 4,000 years ago India was an independent country. There was Hindu raj, Moghul raj, Maratha raj, etc. and now the whole is under British raj, for the past 175 years India has suffered a great loss. Crores of rupees are being carried away to England. India is reduced to poverty. Crores of our brothers and sisters are without food and clothes. Every nation in the world is ruled by its own people, and India should also be ruled by Indians. Englishmen came to trade and now they have become masters. All the big posts in India are held by them. The money which is carried away from here is utilised by them for the Army and Navy and pension etc. They should set aside this raj and have a republic. There are two ways, non violence or violence. Follow the path 815

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) shown by Mahatma. Boycott foreign cloth and wear khaddar, spin yarn on taklis and prepare cloth with your own hands. Do not purchase any foreign cloth. If you cannot spin yourself, get it spun by your poor brothers and sisters who are starving for food and clothes. By doing this you can keep your money in your country, and in six months' time you will get swaraj. If you cannot do this (prepare khaddar), then at least purchase Indian Mill- made cloth." Vithalbhai Patel said :— " I was president of the Viceroy's Legislative Assembly for five years. During my presidentship, I met the greatest personalities. I have moved in all the countries of the world. This Government is for money; it is the worshipper of money ; it is not for our benefit. For the last 150 years crores of rupees have been carried away to England. It is our fault we give them money. If we stop giving them money, then this raj will soon go. As long as this Government remains, it will go on sucking your blood (money). It will use all kinds of repressive measures for money. You should all be ready to sacrifice your lives. You should all join this movement enthusiastically. We are 33 crores. Let the Government use Martial Law throughout India. How many will it kill ? One crore may be killed. We should not draw back from the fight now at any cost. Government will take out hurdreds of Ordinances, but you should not be afraid of them. My experience is that, man to man an Indian is far superior to an Englishman in every respect. In this movement there is God on our side. Every nation in this world has its eye on India's present struggle for freedom. Every nation in the world hates England, but some how they cannot do without it. England is considered a first class nation in the world ; it is all because of India. If India is separated, then it will become a third-class nation. You should all take a vow that from henceforth you will not purchase a single piece of foreign cloth for a year. You should completely boycott foreign cloth and all British made articles. Only those articles which are not obtainable in India, and which you find most need, may be purchased. But they should not be of British make. Prepare and wear khaddar. If you cannot do this get it done by your brothers who are starving. If you all do this you will soon get Swaraj."

Prabhat feris and other processions were taken out daily during the week in Santa Cruz, Ghatkopar, Chembur, Bhandup, Kurla, Andheri, Malad, Versowa and Bandra, as usual. They numbered between 816

8 and 50 and were largely composed of children. On August 10 (Prisoners' Day), processions of about 200 strong were taken out in Versowa, Malad, Chembur, Laxminagar and Santa Cruz. The procession of the Swadeshi Match Factory at Ghatkopar on August 16 numbered only 80. The dhwaja vandan ceremony was performed daily at Ghatkopar by about 25 people. Partial hartals were also observed on account of prisoners' day at Ville Parle, Santa Cruz, Kurla, Bandra and Khar, while complete hartals were observed at Ghatkopar and Chembur. On August 11, another hartal was observed at Chembur as a protest against the arrest of Narayan Laxman Lad. Except at Chembur there was no picketing at the liquor shops. This week is known as Congress week, and the leaders and volunteers of the Chhawani moved in different villages of the district and obtained the names of 288 men and 24 women as volunteers. These volunteers are not for any active work, but have merely consented to manufacture yarn for the Chhawani. Each one was persuaded to pay a fee of four annas; thus Rs. 78 have been collected. At Ghatkopar 100 people have registered their names as members of the Congress and paid 4 annas. In addition 60 of them paid annas 2 monthly subscription. In all Rs. 32-8-0 were collected. From Mahul 5 persons and from Khar 60 persons have likewise registered their names. One A. J. Parab collected Rs. 11 for the Congress fund in Bandra on August 11. (3) Nasik, August 16.—Meetings held include the following: —

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 7 Nasik 8,000 to To congratulate R N. Gadre and Dr. Khadilkar on their 10,000. arrest and conviction. August 9 Do. 300 Hoisting of the national flag at the Saraswat temple. August 10 Do. 5,000 To observe prisoners' day. August 12 Do. 250 To congratulate some 41 political prisoners released from Nasik Central Prison. August 13 Trimbak 500 Congratulations to D. Y. Pingle on his arrest. August 10 Igatpuri 200 To congratulate prisoners who had been sent to jail. August 15 Sinnar 500 Hoisting of the national flag on the Municipal Office. It was not hoisted as some people opposed it. August 12 Yeola 800 To congratulate two released prisoners who returned to Yeola. August 10 Nandgaon 300 To congratulate persons arrested in Bombay. August 14 Zodga, 700 to 800 To congratulate Parashram Appa or Zodga on his Malegaon conviction. taluka 817

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 15 Do. 700 to 800 The present movement. August 10 Satana 400 Prisoners' day. August 11 Soundane, 700 Forest satyagraha. Malegaon taluka August 6 Nampur 600 To congratulate Gadre and Khadilkar on their arrest. August 16 Abhone, Kalwan 50 Forest satyagraha. taluka

During the week no reports have been received from any Sub-Inspector of any volunteers having arrived from outside the district. Within the district volunteers continue to move about more especially in Baglan and Kalwan talukas, interesting the people in the forest satyagraha and other civil disobedience topics. There still appears to be a lot of interest taken by the public especially in Baglan, Kalwan, Malegaon North, Nandgaon and Yeola city in the movement. The fact that the mass movement advertised for Kalwan taluka on August 20 was put off on account of lack of leaders, is hopeful. Other communities do not appear to have shown any interest. In all, meetings numbering some 34 were reported, and it seems that the movement still continues to show no sign of improvement. Other smaller meetings also took place and have not been reported in detail. A number of hartals occurred during the week and were partially successful. Prisoners' day and the arrest of D. Y. Pingle were both marked by a hartal in Nasik, but it was not so successful as usual. On August 12, some 41 released civil disobedience prisoners from the Central Prison were given a reception in the city, and one Kantilal Gandhi said to be a grandson of M. K. Gandhi, hoisted a national flag on the Bhadrakali Temple. The party left Nasik the same day for Bombay. On the night of August 7 when the special train containing the Nehrus passed through Igatpuri, a crowd of some 200 persons went to the station to give them a welcome, but they did not see the prisoners. Liquor shop picketing has continued during the week at Pimpalgaon Baswant. Yeola and Manmad, also at Wadner Bahiroba on bazaar days. (4) East Khandesh, August 16.—13 meetings were held during the week, of which the following are the more important : —

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 7th August Chopda 300 Speaker was Dr. Sadashiv Shankar Kothari who was recently released from jail. The meeting Was held to congratulate Malaviya and others, to condemn police repressions and to boycott Government servants. 8th August Erandol 300 To congratulate Malaviya and condemn the repressive policy of Government. 818

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 10th August Pachora 150 To congratulate the accused in the Sholapur murder case whose sentences have been confirmed by the High Court ; to congratulate the men of the Garhwali Regiment who have been convicted ; and to register names of volunteers for picketing.

Prabhat feris continue to be taken out at various places in the district. Flag processions are of daily occurrence in Shendurni. Processions in honour of prisoners' day were taken out at Earndol, Pachora, Fattehpur, Jalgaon and Raver on August 10. Other processions were held at Erandol. 8th August 1930, conviction of Malaviya, etc., and Jalgaon 12th August 1930, mill-hands procession to rouse interest in the present situation. On August 8, hartal was observed at Amalner and Erandol on account of the conviction of Malaviya, etc. On August 10 at Shendurni on account of prisoners' day. At Pimprala on the same day on account of the arrest of a local Marwadi under Section 117, I. P. C. (5) Poona. August 16.—Meetings held include the following: —

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 10 Shaniwar 6,000 G. G. Pashankar presided. Dr. G. G. Palsule said that Wada, Government by jailing thousands of Indian ratriots Poona City had compelled them to observe Political Prisoners' Day that every man was awakened and was prepared to go to jail till swaraj was obtained. Father Elvin1 of the Christa Seva Sangh said that Christ and Buddha had prevailed upon the world by the force of their humanity and love, as was being done by M. K. Gandhi, Silent toleration of violence and exhibition of brotherly affection would, he said, automatically solve the problem of Swaraj. He also quoted the example of a satyagrahi. who had gone to Sholapur. who had been inhumanly beaten there and was lying sick in a Bombay hospital and who, on being interviewed by hirr, said not a word of hatred against anybody. H. V. Tulpule asked people to become Congress members and bring into operation the orders issued by the Congress. * * * Pashankar asked the people to become Congress members and hoist the flag at Delhi as was done by the Marathas when they hoisted the flaat Attock in days of old

1 Verier Elvin, the scholar ecclesiastic philosopher was an admirer of Gandhiji and Indian freedom struggle. 819

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August Shaniwar 4,000 G. A. Deshpande presided. R. G. Bhide reminded the audience of 10 Wada, the 15,000 prisoners suffering jail for the freedom of India and Poona-City of the bad treatment given to prisoners in Visapur Jail. He exhorted the audience to break the unjust laws forced upon them without their consent and to boycott foreign goods at least for four months. Inamdar requested the people to carry out the programrre chalked out by the Congress and to prepare for law breaking. Satyabhamabai reminded the audience of the sacrifices made by Tatya Tope and the Queen of Jhaasi (Laxmibai) and asked their to be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the freedom of their mother land. L. B. Regundewar again challenged the C. I. D. officers to reform and not to apply any section for dragging their brothers into jail. He criticised the treatment given to B and C class prisoners in jail and asked the audience not to care for their lives. Y. K. Godse said the present struggle must be won even if they were required to lose their heads. Dr. Palsule spoke as in the above meeting. Gore asked the citizens of Poona to keep up the reputation of Poona by enlisting 13,000 rrembers for Congress. G. A. Deshpande, continuing said that they must pray God to put them all in jail or to release all their jailed brothers. August Shaniwar 400 The speakers (all women) mentioned the names of Sarojini Naidu, 10 Wada, Kamaladevi and other women leaders who were rotting in jail Poona-City for the sake of their country, and said that they also must be prepared to make any sacrifice hereafter, and rrust boycott foreign goods. Do. Da. 500 Dadabhai Ardeshir presided. Arrbalal Shah of the cantonment said that the Cantonment Satyagraha Mandal was ordered by the Poona Satyagraha Mandal to take out a procession, a Prabhat feri and to hold a meeting at night in honour of the Political Prisoners' day, he then declared that 25,311 persons had been sent to jail from different districts in connection with this rrovement ; that they had done So for their country and must be congratulated. He requested the audience to take part in the programme of the Congress Committee. * * * G. A. Deshpande tried to remove the effect of the last speaker's rerrarks about open revolution, and said the people would be given Some law-breaking prograrrrre in about a fortnight, and volunteers would be required to give effect to it. Dadabhai Ardeshir requested the people to stick to the Congress programme. 820

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 11 Reay 150 Popatlal Shah and R. G. Bhide requested the audience Market, to become Congress members. L. B. Regundewar Poona City. criticised the C. I. D. reporters. * * * August 12 Shivaji 150 R. G. Pashankar (president) and R. G. Bhide asked the Mandir, people to become Congressmen and use swadeshi Poona City articles. Swami Sachchitanand allas Brother Leonard Schiff of the Christa Seva Sangh said that he liked the principles of M. K. Gandhi. He referred to the Bund Gardens procession and said that the throwing of stones and running away by the public was most undesirable. August 13 Do. 500 G. A. Deshpande reviewed the whole Congress week and said that 9,000 persons had enrolled as Congress members, out of which 2,000 were women;that the students had not shown such a good response as only 200 of them had enrolled. Raja Bahadur Govindlal Shivlal reviewed the movement in Poona. He criticised the notices served on the cantonment cloth merchants. August .14 Dwyer Lane, 500 Dadabhai Ardeshir, presided. The meeting was held in Poona connection with the notices to cloth merchants of Cantonment. cantonment. The speakers criticised the repressive policy of Government in serving notices on the cloth shopkeepers of Poona cantonment area to open their shops.

(6) Sholapur, August 16.—Two meetings were reported during the week, both at Pandharpur, on the 10th and 12th August, respectively. In the former the chair was taken by Sarottam Rajhansa, a Brahmin volunteer of Pandharpur. At this meeting Deorao Tukaram More is stated to have said that his hearers should have nothing to do with the police and that they should break all laws. An objectionable speech was made at this meeting by Vishwasrao Balwantrao Davre of Poona, who declared that the present British Government consisted of rascals that they had unjustly put prominent leaders in prison and that they had gagged the newspapers. Unfortunately there was no one present at the meeting who could take down a clear report. Gurunath Appaji Kulkarni, a Brahmin student of Pandharpur, presided over the second meeting. More, mentioned above, appealed to students to hoist the national flag on the school building. He declared that the British Government would have to be destroyed and called upon his hearers to break the salt and forest laws and to boycott the police. Note.—As More had been prominent of late and seemed to be growing bolder as time passed and his utterances failed to bring retribution, he was arrested on 13th August under Section 117, I. P. C., by the Sub-Inspector, Pandharpur town. He was placed before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pandharpur, the same day and after conviction 821 sentenced to 1 year's rigorous imprisonment and Rs. 100 fine or another 6 months' rigorous imprisonment. Flag processions were arranged in Pandharpur on the 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th. The usual songs were sung on these occasions. On 12th August some local leaders took out a flag procession consisting of youths and boys. Similar processions were taken out in Karkamb of Pandharpur taluka. On 10th August in connection with political prisoners' day a hartal was observed in Pandharpur. (7)Satara, August 9,—Although the number of civil disobedience meetings has this week dropped to 57 as against 70 in the week preceding, the movement still continues to flourish in the district. Usual speeches on breach of forest laws, spread of khaddar, boycott of foreign cloth, tea and liquor and social boycott of police officers were delivered during these meetings. Several speakers strongly condemned Government for their action in arresting Malaviya and others when peace parleys were being held in the jail. The students were also urged at some places to leave schools and join the movement. The speeches at some of these meetings were of a most venomous nature and as usual open defiance of law and order was preached. (8)Ratnagiri, August 16.—In all 21 meetings were held during the week. One of them was for the celebration of the death anniversary of Nana Shankarshet at Ratnagiri. The remaining were in connection with the present Civil Disobedience Movement. The following meetings are mentioned as being of interest: —

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 6th August Shiroda, 400 Hindus. Principal speaker Atmaram Bhaskar Pandit. People police- were asked not to be afraid of repression and to try station, to get independence at any cost. 10th Vengurla 500 Principal speaker Mahadeo Tukaram Walawalkar said August . that Government has started repression and are illtreating the political prisoners in Visapur Jail to such an extent that when let out none of them should dare to take to the movement again and court jail. 8 th August Jaitapur, 400 Hindus. Principal speaker Janardhan Murari said that the police- reward for the sacrifice of lives in the Great War by station, Indians was the Jallianwala Baug and burden of Rajapur taxes. He asked the audience to boycott foreign goods, to use khaddar and to abstain from drink.

(9) Kolaba, August 16.—There were 32 meetings, audiences up to 900. Ad Uran, a Bombay speaker is occasionally imported, otherwise speakers were local men. Speeches were on the usual topics. 1467. Forest Agitation. (1) West Khandesh, August 16.—On August 16 in a meeting a boy, Subhan Totaram, aged about 12 or 13, preached the non-payment of the grazing fee and land revenue. 822

Some Muhammadans of Sindkheda have begun to take part in this movement. Mass forest salyagraha was organised at Ashtana, taluka Sakri, on August 17. 8 to 10 thousand men and some women took part.

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(2) Poona, August 15.—Mischief in Poona district. One Ganesh Vishnu Rawoot, Pardeshi of Otur, in taluka Junnar, displeased the villagers by paying for a certain grazing area. They punished him by invading his pastures with their cattie. On 10th Yeshwant Bhikaji Joshi, the Ghoda agitator, addressed 2,000 persons at Ghoda on usual Congress iines. At the same meeting Pandurang Ganesh Deshpande ot Chinchodi village spoke guardedly against tax-paying. The materials for a Police out-post at Ambegaon, the centre of the Koli country, were looted on the night of 11th though some of them have since been recovered. Popatlal of Ambegaon is believed to be responsible. If the materials are not given back in their entirety, it will be advisable to post punitive Police on this village, which has a bad record in the past. Three persons of Shinoli village, Petha Ambegaon, who paid grazing fees were punished by Villagers destroying their crops to the extent of Rs. 1,000. The suffereis are the Mulki and Police Patels of Shinoli and one Tanaji Muktaji. Unfortunately the Police Patel of Shinoli has been suspended by Government for not taking into his possession impounded cattle. On 12th the muccadam and chowkidar of Military grass farm at Rase under Chakan Police-station were impounding cattle which had trespassed in grass farm land, when the villagers rescued the cattle. The Sub-Inspector is investigating and 13 of the rioters have been identified. The police patel of Dingore, taluka Junnar, is being boycotted with a view to make him resign. He wants Government to help him. (3) Kolaba, August 16.—On 16th August there was a breach of the forest laws at Tinvira (Alibag) when in the presence of about 200 villagers a bullock was garlanded and let loose in the forest. A branch of a tree was broken off and a national flag hoisted. The two instigators P. T. Vihari and H. R. Patil were arrested on the spot. 1470. Prisoners' Day. Poona, August 16.—On 10th there was fairly complete hartal, a large procession, and a monster meeting for prisoners' day. The speakers included Father Elvin of Christa Seva Sangh, who praised and advocated non-violence. A female named Satyabhamabai held up Tatya Tope and the Queen of Jhansi as examples of patriotic sacrifice. One Regundewar from Bombay spoke against the C.I.D. for getting people into jail. On 11th there was another meeting in Reay Market but only 150 attended. On 12th there was a meeting at Shivaji Mandir attended by 150. Brother Leonard alias Swami Sachchitanand of Christa Seva Sangh condemned both the stone throwing and the running away at Bund Gardens. At the concluding meeting of the week on 13th, Raja Bahadur Govindlal Shivlal of Poona Mill presided and G. A. Deshpande of 823 satyagraha mandal summed up the progress made, namely, 9,020 new Congress members of whom over 1,000 were women. The student-class however had responded poorly, only 200 had enlisted. It was stated that 2,000 members had been enlisted d in Poona Cantonment. 1471. Boycott Week. Kotaba, August 16.—The week was observed as a Maharashtra national week and in consequence was responsible for a certain amount of activity on the part of the agitators. The 10th August was observed as prisoners' day and hartals and processions were general. Speeches were many and were on the usual subjects from boycott of tea and liquor, incitement to break the laws, and to drive out the British. 1474-B. Congress Affairs. Kolaba, August 16.—It is reported that 2,000 people of Panvel have become Congress members by paying their subscription of annas 4. 1475. Ville Parle Chhawani. Bombay Suburban District August 16.—In the Ville Parle Chhawani 7 volunteers left on August 12 owing to quarrels, thus there were 56 men and 13 women volunteers on the roll at the end of the week. The leaders of the chhawani visited the Bombay Congress House daily. They were also busy during the week endeavouring to procure the sufficient quantity of yarn. The Congress Hospital at Varsowa was taken back to Bombay on August 11. 1477. National Volunteers. (i) Bombay Suburban District, August 16.—35 volunteers of the Benares University came to Khar on August 13 and halted for the night in the pavilion. They brought a band and flags with them. They went to Bombay on the following morning. They did not appear to have come for any particular purpose. Two small meetings were held in Laxminagar at one of which the speakers were Bengali students from the Benares University. Nothing particular was mentioned in the speeches. (2) East Khandesh, August 16.—Names of volunteers were taken at a meeting in Pachora on August 10 but at present there is no picketing of liquor shops anywhere in the district. The liquor contractor at Bahadarpur had made an agreement with the leaders of the village by which he was not to sell any liquor, but when the Excise found that he had not held any sale for over three months, he managed to sell about one gallon outside the village. When the villagers heard about this, they boycotted him and as a result he has had to return to his own village, as even his own relatives have refused to have anything to do with him. Mischief has also been done by boring a hole in a cask of liquor in his shop and so letting out about 824

8 points. when he went to Ramlal Kalu Misar who is at present Dictator of Bahadarpur, the latter asked him not to go to the Excise or to the Police and he would see what he could do about the loss that he has suffered. The contractor had to eport the loss to the Excise, and thereby the Police were also informed. It is now reported that Ramlal and two Mulki Patels are at the bottom of this and that the Mamladar of Parola has suspended these two Mulki Patels, and the next day a certain amount of information was available. (3) West Khandesh, August 16. —Volunteers went from house to house in Dhulia and preached boycott of foreign goods and the use of swadeshi products during the week. 1478. Hoisting of National Flag. Satara, August 16.—On 10th August 1930 the local Congressmen arranged a procession with a view to hoisting a national flag on the Satara city municipal office in defiance of the resolution passed by that body. The processionists were held up near the municipal garden by the Police. On receipt of information the district Superintendent of Police immediately proceeded to the scene with the District Magistrate and the mob dispersed on finding that they would not be allowed to gain their object. It was noticeable that several of the local pleaders had taken part in this demonstration and had to great extent encouraged it. During the demonstration a stone was thrown at the District Superintendent of Police by an unknown person, which struck his hat. * * * 1479-A. Swadeshi Propaganda. Poona, August 16.—The Congress volunteers visited Police lines at Lonavla on 25th July for khadi propaganda and refused to get out when told to do so by the Head Constable. They are being prosecuted for trespass. 1482. Picketing of Schools and Colleges. Poona, August 16.—On 13th Mrs. Y. Bhatt. Anandibai Joglekar, Satyabhamabai Kuvlekar, and about 10 more ladies of the spinning association picketed Fergusson College main building from within college gruonds. About 50 students raised a rumpus and the college had to close down for the day. The next two days picketing continued but was ineffective and on 15th was called off by G. A, Deshpande himself, the president of the satyagraha mandal. * * * 825

168 Vol. XLIII No. 36 of 1930. BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE Poona, September 6, 1930. POLITICAL. POLITICO-RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL MOVEMENT 1520. Civil Disobedience Movement, General Summary. (1) Thana.—Week ending August 16. 5 meetings, audience over 1,000 at Bhivandi, August 10 (1,000), Shahapur, August 10 (2,000). Wasudeo P. Acharya spaking on August 15 at Vada (audience 300), said that the Russian example should be followed and Government driven out. Week ending August : 23. 20 meetings, largest audience at Bhivandi, August 17 (1,000). Forest satyagraha has commenced between Thana and Belapur and it is reported that prepa ations are being made to re-commence salt satyagraha at Bhayandar next month. (2)Bandra.—August 167 meetings, largest audience at Ghatkopar, August 16 (1,500) Bandra, August 16 (800). Vithalbhai Patel and Pandit Malaviya spoke at these two meetings. Hartals were observed at several places on August 10 (Prisoners' Day). (3)Nasik.—34 meetings, audiences over 1,000 at Nasik, August 7 (9,000) to congratulate R . H. Gadre and Dr. Khadilkar on their arrest and conviction, August 10 (5,000) to observe political prisoners' day. Agitation shows no signs of improvement ………. (4)East Khandesh.—13 meetings, audiences small. (5) West Khandesh.—Mass forest satyagraha organised at Ashtana (Sakri taluka) on August 17 when 10,000 men and women took part. It is rumoured that then would be a repetition of this form of satyagraha at Chhadewal-Korde, Dusana, Mhasdi and Kondaibari later on.

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(6) Ahmednagar.—The Kolis and Thakurs of the Dangs have been strongly infected and have been defiant of the Police. Grazing fees are collected with the greatest difficulty even when armed Police are present. Agitation is most active in Sangamner and Akola talukas and in a lesser degree in Kopargaon and Rahuri. When the Sub-Inspector went to Shamsherpur on August 12 to assist in collections and effect arrests he found a defiant mob vith one Shastri (further details of him not available). The crowd later increased to 5,000 and were armed with axes, scythes, etc., and the police party had to retire. After this another meeting was held by Sh stri at which the Police and Revenue Patels and Talathis were forced to resign. On August 14, a police party of 3 men going on patrol towards Shenit village was driven away from Ambewangan 826 and threatened by an apparently murderous party of 8 or 10 men. At some places the floors of temples and chavdis have been dug up to prevent Government officials putting up in them. The report of the District Superintendent of Police regarding incidents in Akola taluka during the course of a march with 100 armed police on August 22 is given below. The Jungal Khobar continues to be issued at Sangamner but its exact location has not been discovered. In Ahmednagar itself the national flag parade and Gandhi Day meetings have been attended by large audiences. 5,000 persons attended a meeting on August 10 (Prisoners' Day ). Picketing of the polling stations is anticipated during the Council elections. (7) Poona.—Week ending August 23. Forest agitation has been rife in Saswad vicinity headed by two paid agitators, Kale and Desai of the Poona satyagraha camp. One Nana Ramchandra Patel (Patil) and other agitators from Satara district spoke at a meeting attended by 1,000 at Waihe under Jejuri Police Station on August 22. Forest law breaking and non-payment of land revenue was advocated. The Tilak Smarak Mandir was raided on August 22 (date on which Poona City Congress Committee, Satyagraha Mandal, etc., were declared as unlawful associations by Bombay Government) 22 arrests were made, including Mohanlal, the so-catted chitnis of the mandal and Ghaisas, editor of the Satyagraha Varlak (Varta) a poisonous cyclostyled bulletin. Papers seized in the raid showed a close connection with H. V. Tulpule, president of the Poona City Municipality, and he was arrested and has been sentenced to 3 months' simple imprisonment and Rs. 500 fine. Tulpule was invited by the District Magistrate to dissociate himself from, the Civil Disobedience Movement, but preferred to go to jail. V. B. Davre, another violent speaker, was sentenced on August 20 to 5 months' imprisonment and Rs. 500 fine for unlawful assembly and to one month's imprisonment for incitement to resist the Police. The missing materials for the Police out-post at Ambegaon were recovered from the river where they had been sunk in 20 feet water. (8)Sholapur.—August 16. Two meetings in Pandharpur city on August 10 and 12. Prominent speakers Deorao Tukaram More and Vishwasrao Balwantrao Davre (both spoke objectionably). (9)Satara.—57 meetings. Agitation against forest laws has been strenuously carried on and some of the speeches have been particularly objectionable. Boycott of liquor and police and defiance of law also advocated. (10) Ratnagiri.—Week ending August 16. 21 meetings, 1 largest attendance 500 at Vengurla on August 10. 1521. Agitation. (1) Thana, August 23.—Meetings held include the following : —

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 17 Thana 300 Miss Ida Dickinson and others spoke with the object of inducing Christians to join the movement by boycotting foreign goods and enforcing prohibition. 827

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4)

August 16 Turbhe, Police 140 Vrishabhbhai Mantri from Ville Parle Camp said 1,500 Station Thana men were required to break forest laws. Mahal August 17 Bhiwandi 1,0 00 Govind Malaviya of Allahabad exhorted Indians of all communities to work together for swaraj. The British has engineered the communal trouble between the Hindus and Muhammadans, and would now have to leave the country if they united. Do. Padgha 300 Govind Malaviya spoke as above and advised others to follow the example of leaders and go to jail. August 20 Bassein 300 Chhotalal Ramdas Shroff of Palghar spoke on prohibition and swadeshi as means to stop the income of Government. August 19 Dahanu 250 Protesting against those who attended a meeting organised by Government. August 17 Umbergaon 300 Boycott of liquor, today and foreign goods.

(2)Thana. August 25.— No demonstrations took place at Kalyan or Kasara when the special rain carrying the Nehrus from Poona stopped there. Nine persons were convicted for breaking the Magistrate's order at Bassein and Bhayandar. Forest satyagraha agitation has commenced between Thana and Belapur. Hartals were observed on August 23 on account of the arrest of Abul Kalam Azad. Nine volunteers joined during the week. Rs. 21 were ollected at meetings. 20 meetings were held, the largest being at Bhivandi, with, an audience of about 1,000. (3)Bombay Suburban District, August 23.—The usual meetings were held daily at Ville Parle hroughout the week. The audience numbering about 50 persons. The hief speakers were Abdulla Rahimtulla and Vrashabhdas Jaweri. The speeches merely contained accounts of the working of the Chhawani and statements to the effect that they wished to carry on the movement. Requests were also made for yarn to be brought to the Chhawani. Rahimtulla on one occasion stated that he in consultation with the Bombay leaders did not want peace but would prefer to die for the country. He also made he following remarks on the acquittal of the three volunteers who were sent up to the Sessions Court for trial under Section 131, I. P. C. :—" Government does not care for the laws. One Court convicts the volunte rs for distributing the leaflets among the Police and Military whilst another Court acquits them. If we had taken part in the trials of our leader not a single man would have gone to jail but as we are fighting for the truth we have nothing to do with Courts." Meetings were held at Ghatkopar, Mahul (2), Mulund and Chembur. Audiences between 20 and 200. The meeting at Ghatkopar was held by processionists of the Swadeshi Match Factory. The speeches at Mahul and Chembur consisted mostly in abuse of the Police. Narayan, son of Gajanan, and Gopinath Haribhau Bhat. both of 828

Vadavli, in addition to abuse, exhorted the audience to boycott the Police and not to allow them to have food and water, and are being prosecuted under Ordinance No. V of 1930. Meetings were held at Andheri (2), Versowa (2) and Malad (1) . Audiences varied from 30 to 60, except on the 20th when Kasturba Gandhi and Janakibai Bajaj visited Versowa and Andheri when the audiences were 1,000 and 700, respectively. The speeches were all on the same lines—boycott foreign goods, carry on the movement, not to drink liquor, and advice to women to picket liquor shops. At the other meetings the usual speeches were made for the carrying on the movement. At the second meeting at Andheri held under the auspices of the Andheri Congress Committee the president, Motilal Karsandas Parekh said that he had received two letters from the District Congress Committee instructing him to raise a seva dal. The audiences, however, discussed the matter, and said they would take no part in any illegal movement and so the me ting ended. Prabhat jeri processions were taken out daily during the week in Ville Parle, Santa Cruz, Ghatkopar, Chembur, Bhandup, Kurla, Andheri, Malad, Versowa and Bandra. They varied in number between 8 and 30, as usual. Other small processions were taken out in various parts of the district. On 17th instant, 18 Prabhat feris of Bombay, Bandra, Santa Cruz and Laxminagar, consisting of 600 or 700 people, mostly women and children, met at Laxminagar pavilion and bowed before the national flag. After singing some songs they returneed home. On the same day at Ghatkopar the weekly procession of the Swadeshi Match Factory hands took place. It consisted of about 100 people. A hartal was observed on the 22nd at Versowa, Ghatkopar and Malad on account of the arrest oi Abul Kalam Azad. A hartal was also observed at Chembur on 23rd August on account of the arrest of Narayan Gajanan Acharya of Vadavli. Except at Chembur there was no picketing at liquor shops. There was one meeting in Bandra of about 100 women on the 22nd instant. They were addressed by Mrs. Yashodabai Bhat and Mrs. Kasturba Gandhi both of whom exhorted the women to join the movement, boycott foreign goods and assist in picketing. (4) Nasik, August 23. — Meetings held include the following :—

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 16 Nasik 400 National week. August 17 Do. 300 Rashtriya Saptah (week). August 18 Do. 600 Present situation. August 19 Do. 500 Condemnation of His Excellency the Governor's visit. August 20 Do. 4,000 Do. August 19 Trimbak 400 Present movement. 829

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 21 Trimbak 500 Liquor shop picketing at Trimbak. August 24 Do. 300 To congratulate the acting president of the Congress. Abul Kalam Azad on his arrest. August 19 Vani 300 Boycott of foreign gcods. August 20 Do Appeal for a hartal to celebrate Gadre's arrest August 17 Ghoti 400 to 500 Hoising ot the nation al flagon Maruti temple August 18 Do. 400 to 500 Forest satyagraha in Kalwan taluka. August 17 Pimpalgaon 400 to 500 Hoisting of the national flag on the village gate. August 16 Yeola 3,000 The present movement. August 20 Manmad 250 to 300 Do. August 15 Malegaon 300 Do. August 18 Gilane, 350 to 400 Boycott ot liquor, tea, etc. Malegaon August 18 Do. 50 to 60 Do. August 19 Do. 500 Present movement. August 20 Satana 800 Congratulations to persons convicted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. August 21 Do. 400 Khaddar. August 17 Kanashi,Kal- 500 to 600 Forest satyagraha. wan taluka August 18 Remeshwar, 150 to 200 Do. Kalwan taluka August 22 Abhone,Kalwan 500 to 600 Boycott of foreign cloth and Forest Satyagraha. taluka

Since the close or the week Bhagappa Vithobappa Gulve and Ramchandra Bhikaji Mahajan, both of Nasik, presided and secretary, respectively of the Kayadebhang Mandal, Nasik, were prosecuted under Section 17 (2) of the Criminal Amendment Act and convicted and sentenced to 4 months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 200 and to 3 months' rigorous imprisonment, respectively. No outstanding leaders now remain in Nasik itself but it is probable that the places of the above will be taken by others, In the district Dr. Bhutekar continues to pay attention to Nandgaon an Yeola talukas. In all Some 28 meetings of any importance were held during the week; generally speaking they were not so well attended as in previous weeks. In connection with the Governor's visit on August 20, there was a fairly large procession and a demonstration on the Station Road on the day of His Excellency's arrival, with black flags, to show disapprobation of his visit; but after that no other procession marked his visit, and no one interfered with the various functions. (5) West Khandesh, August 23.-23 meetings were reported for the week. A procession was take out on August 16 at Warwada, Sindkheda Police Station, to honour Mahadeo Sadoo Wanjari who had been arrested 830 under Section 117, I. P. C. and was on bail. He was taken in procession on horse back with a wreath of flowers on his head like a bridegroom.

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Bohris and even Muhamm dans of Sindkheda have begun to take part in this movement and almos all the influential men of Sindkheda taluka have joined it. The movement in Dhulia was waning during the last month or two, but since the sentence of whipping was passed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the application of the various ordinances and arrests thereunder, the movement has revived again. Attendances at meetings have increased; prabhat feris have become numerous, and the general attitude of the public has become more hostile. Meetings held include the following : —

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 14 Shirpur 2,000 Tarachand Bhagwan, volunteer, spoke on boycott of foreign goods and said people should not fear the police. He also spoke on breaking the laws. August 15 Do. 1,000 A volunteer spoke on boycott of foreign goods, the use of khaddar and non-payment of land revenue. August 16 Do. 1,000 Narayan Hiraman and Shankar Sadashiv, volunteers, spoke on the breaking of laws, and on rot fearing the Police, who were slaves. Action has been taken under section 117, I. P. C. against the speakers. August 19 Do. 1,000 Tarachand Balmukund, volunteer, and Shankar Jethasa told the people to use khaddar. (6) East Khandesh, August 23.—11 meetings were held in the district of which the following are important: — Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3 (4) 17th August Jalgaon 2,000 Shripat Keshav Pathak, Chairman of the Municipal School Board, presided. It was called to congratulate Deokinandan Narayan on his release from jail after his conviction under the Salt Act. One V. T. Kelkar made a very violent speech. 21st August Jalgaon 2.000 To congratulate Maganlal Nagindas of Chopda on his release from jail. Deokinandan Narayan1 also spoke and said that the two mills in Jalgaon have been cheating the public by selling it mill khaddar fraudulently stamped as fine Swadeshi khadi. He appealed to the public to buy pure hand-spun and hand-woven khaddar and condemned the action of the mill agents.

1Congress leader of Jalgaon. 831

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 19th August Savda 500 Rajeshwar Balkrishna, a Brahmin of Bombay, exhorted the audience to defy the forest laws and to boycott foreign goods. He has been arrested and sent up under Section 117, I. P. C. After his arrest the crowd became out of hand and had to be dispersed with fo rce. 18th August Chopda 2,00 To congratulate Maganlal Nagindas on his release from jail after his conviction under the Salt Act.

Note.—There were two meetings held ostensibly for the municipal elections, at Bhusawal in which the speakers were all political agitators such as Risbud, Kanade, Murlidhar, Dastane, etc., in which the speeches were also on political lines. The District Superintendent of Police learns that the non-co-operators have had a set-back in this election as the Government have now got a majority of 18 to 9, while in the recently dissolved committee these numbers were reversed. Prabhat feris and flag pr cessions continue to be taken out at various places in the district. On August 16, there was a procession at Shendurni in honour of the acquittal on appeal of Dr. Nilkanth Ganesh Sane of Shendurni by the Sessions Judge. On August 18 there was a procession in honour of the release of Maganlal Nagindas if Chopda, at Amalner and at Chopda, on his arrival there. (7) Ahmednagar, August 9.—At Ahmednagar on August 3 the flag service was attended by about 350. Later a procession of 2,000 (100 women) went through the city and hartal was observed by all Hindu merchants and hotel keepers. In the evening a meeting of 5,000 (200 women) was held. This was in connection with the arrest of Vallabhbhai Patel. Another meeting was held on August 5, Gandhi day, audience 1,500 (150 women). A point was made in the speeches that the families of Government servants were not themselves Government servants and should not be slaves. Partial hartal was observed on August 3 in Ahmednagar Camp and a procession of 300 taken out. A meeting was badly attended. The principal meetings heId in the district elsewhere are summarised below :--

Place Audience Shrigonda on August 5 450 Sonai on August 3,4,5 and 6 2,000 Pathardi on August 3 and 4 400—500 Dahigaon Gule on August 4 2,500 Shevgaon on August 4 500 Karadgaon on August 5 300 Deolali 300 and 500 Taklimiya 500 (Also hartal and flag procession on August 3) 1,000 Kopargaon 700 Belapur on August 1, 2,5, 6 and 7 300—500 832

The principal subjects at the above meetings, apart from the arrest of leaders, were to break the laws, not to pay grazing fees, land revenue, boycott foreign goods, Government servants, the Collector's durbar and the Council and Assembly eleotions. At Nevasa the theory was propounded that if foreign goods were boycotted the treasury would be emptied, and Government servants would not get their pay and would consequently resign. (8) Ahmednagar, Augut 16.—No enthusiasm except in Sangamner and Akola talukas, and to a esser degree in Kopargaon and Rahuri taluka. (9) Poona, August 23.— The following meetings were held in Poona City and Cantonment during the week : —

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 17th August . Dwyer Lane . 200 This meeting was called to observe students' day in honour of the students of the Camp Education Society's High School for raising a national flag on it but no student turned up at the meeting. The speakers condemned the merchants for their cowardly behaviour in reopening their shops. 20th August . .Tilak Mandir. 300 The speakers were a batch of 17 volunteers from the Benares Hindu University. Laxman appealed to the Poora college students to throw off their present apathy and to take part in the present struggle. 21st August.. Tilak Mandir . 300 Conviction of Benares students. V. A. Sundaram congratulated his 11 volunteers on their conviction for breaking the order under Section 144, C. P. C. but regretted that their blood was not shed on Poona ground by receiving lathi blows. He said that they were the strict followers of Bhagatsingh and would do any sacrifice for the emancipation of India. 21st August. Dwyer Lane 500 Conviction of Benares strdents. Dr. Mala Devi blamed the Poona people for keeping quiet when persons from outside were coming to Poona and breaking the order under Section 144, C. P. C. She asked them to break all the repressive laws of the Government. Chandulal explained that it was their duty to help the students from Benares. 22nd August. Shivaji Mandir 700 This meeting was called to protest against the action of Poona Police in raiding the satyagraha mandal and arresting the inmates. Sundaram and Phadke condemned the Government of their repressive attitude in declaring the Congress Committee and war council as illegal associations. They also urged the students to suspend their studies as the time had come to work. Pandit asked the students to leave college because of blows received by the Principal Sabnis of S. P. College, to vindicate his honour. R. B. Chikkerur gave short account of forest satyagraha at different places and said that this form of satyagraha should be done everywhere and the Government should be made restless. Khare said that the Police should be boycotted as they were instrumental in supplying all the information' 833

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 23rd August Shivaji Mandir 150 D. G. Pandit Said that he had got only 60 youth guards and if he could get 1000, he would take up a constructive programme. He requested the students to enlist their names with Hazarnis. R. B. Chikkerur said that they would start a British Misrule week from Monday next.

As a result of the conviction of 16 villagers of Chandus in Khed taluka, G. A. Deshpande and Bhave, heads of the Satyagraha Mandal Camp in Poona have set out on a tour of lecturing in Khed, Manchar, Ghoda, Ambegaon, etc., professedly to exhort the country people not to assault Government servants but to carry on the movement non-violently and to join the Congress. ; Some persons of the vicinity were convicted by Junnar Mamlatdar on complaint of Forest officials during the week, and two children were fined and jailed for non-payment. It was reported that this had caused bad feeling and a meeting was to be held on Government land. It appeals that before the meeting the children were released and instead of anti Government speeches being delivered certain village leaders advocated payment of grazing fees. Two Hindu processions at Talegaon Dabhade, one on August 22 and one on 24, passed the mosque without incident. (10) Poona, August 23.—Agitation has been rife in the vicinity of Saswad and has been headed by two paid agitators, Kale and Desai of the Poona Satyagraha Camp, who are reported to be financed by disaffected Marwaris in Saswad town and who put up at the Saswad Marwar Dharamsala. Kale, as above noted, got 6 months' on August 21 from Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Eastern. The same day there was a Bania hartal in Saswad and meetings at Saswad and Diva, at which Balkrishna Desai of Ratnagiri advocated non-payment of taxes. Action is being taken. On August 22, there was a meeting of 1,000 at Walhe under Jejuri Police Station presided over by Manikchand Tuljaram Gujjar. It was announced that a noted agitator of Satara district by name Nana Patel would speak and Rs. 25 were collected. In fact three Satara speakers, Nana Ramchandra Patel and Krishna Tukaram, Doctor, both of village Rethare and Ramchandra Rakhmaji Jadhav of village Lonand, addressed the meeting. Nana Patel ad focated forest law breaking and non-payment of land revenue. Manikchand Tuljaram Gujjar, the president, also advocated non-payment of land assessment. For this he was arrested on the night of August 23 and was being brought to Poona, when he absconded in the dark and got away. There are now two charges against him. On August 19, a complain under Section 124-A T. P. C (Sedition), was lodged with Government sanction against Shankar Balwantrao Baravkar of Varwand in the Dhond Peta for publishing a book af sedition verse. 834

(11) Sholapur. August 23. — There were no meetings in the district during the week. At Pandharpur on August 17, in the evening, a small procession, consisting for the most part of some 8 boys aged about 10, took round a national flag. 1522. Forest Agitation. (1)Nasik, August 23.—During the week no reports of any outside volunteers having arrived in the district have been received. The Sub-Inspector, Ghoti, reports that some five volunteers of that place left Ghoti on August 18 to take part in the proposed Kalwan mass satyagraha which was advertised to take place on August 20 at Saptashring. The show, however, was cancelled at the last moment. The Sub-Inspector, Sinnar, also reports the departure of one volunteer for the same affair. Most of the volunteers now appear to be wandering about in the villages, especially in Baglan and Kalwan talukas, trying to incite villagers to take part in the forest satyagraha and not to pay grazing fees. (2)Ahmednagar, August 16.—Collection of grazing fees received a setback owing to the truculent attitude of Kolis and Thakurs of the Dangs. Prior to this arrest of many olunteers had been effected leaving only one Shastri of any importance. On August 12 the Sub-Inspector, Akola, went to Shamsherpur side for collections and to effect arrests. He found a meeting, called by Shastri, in progress, attended by about 2,000 to 3,000. On hearing of the approach of the Police, Sha tri was carried off by his followers ; he is reported to have a constant bodyguard of 200 or 250 Kolis. The Sub-Inspector called some of the leading villagers and was talking to them about grazing fees, when a mob estimated at 5,000, many of them from the neighbouring Nasik villages, armed with axes, scythes, etc., collected, apparently thinking that some arrests had been made. The Police party had to retire. After their departure another meeting was held by Shastri, at which the Police and Revenue Paxils and Talathis were forced to resign. The present leader of the Sangamner Chhawani, Chaudhari, and 14 other volunteers, were arrested on August 14 and have been convicted, also the ostensible editor of the Jungle Khabar. Lalji Pendse, who had on two previous occasions made objectionable speeches at Sangamner and then bolted, was reported to be coming to Sangamner ; Bombay was asked to intercept and arrest him ; he has been convicted. The demonstration on Au ust 17 appear to have been a poor show. The procedure was much the same as on the previous occasion. The only big gatherings appear so have been at Ashvi and Chandnapuri in Sangamner taluka and at Shamsherpur in Akola taluka, where the gatherings are reported to have numbered 2,000, 700 and 2,500 ; at Shamsherpur only a meeting was held and no demonstration of forest satyagraha was made. At other places demonstrations were insignificant or a total failure. At Nimbgaon in Sangamner taluka, where the villagers of Pemgiri and Javle Baleshvar wanted to make a demonstration, the villagers told the would-be orgnisers to clear out or they would report them. 835

Wild stories were reported from Shamsherpur of threats on the part of the Kolis to burn the Police out-post there, and the kacheri at Akola; on the other hand Sant a volunteer, is reported to have rebuked the meeting there for their violent attitude when the Sub-Inspector, Akola, had gone there. Three Patils have withdrawn their resignations. Sardar S. B. Thorat, M. L. C, rendered valuable help in preventing the demonstrations in Sangamner taluka being more successful. Three Policemen of Raju Police-station who had gone on patrol towards Shenit on August 14 were driven away from Ambewangan and told to go to Ladgaon ; there they found the temple dug up and the police Patil socially boycotted and afraid to help them ; some 8 or 10 men from Ambewangan came with apparent murderous intent and the Police had to tuke refuge with a Mahar, who harboured them and sent the assailants on a wild goose chase to Shenit, while the Police effected their escape to Rajur. An offence has been registered. The forest satyagraha is still well supported in Sangamner and Akola talukas; social boycott and non-payment of grazing fees is receiving considerable support in Kopargaon and Rahuri talukas. * * *

Leaders in Ahmednagar are much upset at the thought that all Congress Committees have been declared unlawful. The satyagraha mandal board was removed from the satyagraha office, and even the board of a Hind Sevika Sangh was removed from the house of Keshav Ramchandra Garud, pleader, who had started the institution. Picketing of the polling stations is anticipated. In Ahmednagar camp signatures were solicited for a petition for mercy for the Sholapur accused, and processions for released convicts were taken out. The chief meetings were those held at:—

Place Date Audience (1) (2) (3) Sarola-Kasar, Ahmednagar August 18 300 Deolali, Rahuri August 8 and 10 400 to 500 Pathardi August 18,19,21 400 Kopargaon August 13 500

On August 19, the Circle Inspector and Talathi put some cattle in the pound at Tondoli, Shevgaon taluka, as they were being grazed without payment of fees. The next day Murlidhar Narayan Dongre of Kopargaon and Shivnarayan Hanmantram of Sonai released the cattle without paying fees. A case has been sent up. Grass obtained at the forest satyagraha demonstration at Ashvi on August 17 or, at any rate, claimed to have been so obtained, was sold at Rahata on the same day for Rs. 12-7-3 by Kishorilal Hiralal. The amount is to be sent to the Congress Committee, Ahmednagar. 836

(3) Kolaba, August 23.—.The week has been noteworthy for 6 outbreaks of forest satyagraha at different villages in the Alibag taluka. In no case was there wanton destruction but several hundred villagers attended on each occasion. The leaders were arrested. It is obvious that the movement had taken a firm hold on the Agris of the taluka. There is no other instance in the district of the movement having taken practical form, but ithe popularity of the movement appears to be undiminished. There were 23 meetings, a reduction which does not indicate any decrease in the agitation. Speakers were petty local men except in one or two cases at Panvel and Uran, where they were outside men of, no particular importance. Audiences at forest satyagraha meetings were up to 600 or 700, otherwise up to 200. 1523. Students and Politics Poona, August 23.—17 renegade Benares University students headed by one Sundaram who styles himself their dictator arrrived at Satyagraha Camp on August 19 and incited local students to defy 144 order against political demonstrations in Cantonment. None responded but on August 21, 11 of the Benares gang were found by Cantonment Police proceeding in procession with flags in Elphinstone Road. They were placed before Sub-Divisional Magistrate who gave them 4 months' each under 188, I. P. C. Dictator Sundaram the same night held a meeting of students largely of the New Poona College and tried to get a following to repeat the defiance performance but none offered himself. On August 22 and 23, the remaining Benares students held meetings to get Poona students to abandon their studies and take up anti-Government propaganda. 1524. Declaration of Congress Committee, Satyagraha Mandal Unlawful Societies. Poona, August 23.—On August 22, Bombay Government Gazette was received with Notification of Poona City Congress Committee, Satyagraha Mandal, etc., as unlawful issociations under Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. The same day at 1 p.m, Tilak Smarak Mandir was raided, papers were seized showing close connection of Tulpule, Municipal President and City Congress Committee, with Satyagraha Mandal, and 22 arrests were made including V. V. Gokhale who delivered a very seditious speech in Cantonment last week, and one Mohanlal, so-called Chitnis of the Mandal and one Ghaisas, editor of Satyagraha Warta, an unauthorised and very poisonous cyclostyled Bulletin. These persons were placed before the District Magistrate the same evening who released 11 unimportant members and remanded 11 to jail for a week. V. V. Gokhale wanted all to be convicted out of hand. H. V. Tulpule was arrested on August 22 and placed before District Magistrate who remanded him till Monday 25th. He has since been sentenced to 3 months and Rs. 500 or 1 month more. The Bar Association pleaded that he had done nothing since the notification and District Magistrate then invited him to dissociate himself from the law-breaking movement but he declined, preferring to go to jail. Natwar Shah, a Gujarathi clerk of Panchgani Motor Service and Satyagraha Mandal dictator in cantonment, was arrested by Cantonment 837

Police Inspector on August 22. It was immediately announced that his brother Rahman Shah had succeeded him as dictator but Rahman Shah has since spent a good deal of energy in publicly denying the imputation. Among visitors at satyagraha mandal camp on August 22 (but not arrested), were three Benares University youths, three new arrivals from Sholapur Congress Committee, and a woman, Dr. Mula Devi, who alleged, she came from Jaipur. 1526. Congress Affairs. Ratnagiri, August 23.—The Rajapur Taluka Congress Committee has changed its designation o Independence Association. Not accepting the new designation, the following five members have resigned: — Ramkrishna Anant Sakhalkar, Vishnu Ramchandra Pire, Rajaram Damodar Kinare, Shrikrishna Vithal Bhagwat and Vinayak Sakharam Sarhot, all pleaders. 1529. Ville Parle Chhawani Bombay Suburban District August 23.—Regarding the Ville Parle Chhawani, five volunteers cleared off back to Bombay for good, one volunteer went to Thana as an, instructor to the Udyog Mandir, three volunteers acquitted by the Sessions in the case under Section 131, I.P.C., returned to the Chhavani. At the end of the week there were 53 men and 13 women volunteers on the roll. On the 17th instant the wanar sena under Abdulla Rahimtulla brought salt water into the Chhawani On the 22nd instant all work in the Chhawani was stopped on account of the arrest of Abul Kalam Azad. Volunteers were sent into Ville Parle and Santa Cruz to request shopkeepers to observe hartal but none would comply. Spinning and weaving was carried on vigorously in the Chhawani. The total number of volunteers including women who have enlisted for giving yarn to the Chhawani in 396. So far, however, no one has given any yarn to the Chhawani. It appears that people give their names and annas 4 so that they should not be bothered again.

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A seva dal was started in the Chhawani on the 22nd and 16 of the inmates have joined it under the command of V. V. Naik of Parle. During the week one Popatlal Virmal, Marwadi of Kalbadevi Road, Bombay, gave Rs. 101 to the Chhawani. 1531. Hoisting of National Flag. (1) Ahmednagar, August 10 .—The flag service on August 10 was attended by 300. In the evening a procession of 3,000 (200 women) followed by a meeting of 5,000 (300 women) to congratulate returned prisoners. Such processions, on a less impressive scale, were taken out on other days to welcome returned prisoners. With few exceptions such ex-convicts do not appear to be taking any further part in the movement. 838

Ahmednagar, August 23.—Only 150 attended the flag ceremony on August 17. (2) Ratnagiri, August 23.—At Redi on August 15, the national flag was hoisted on the school. At Dapoli on August 13, a similar flag was hoisted on the girls school when the school was closed, and similarly at Shiroda on August 11 At Chiplun, according to the resolution passed by the municipality, flag was hoisted on the municipal office on August 17. The Congreess menmbers complain that the movement does not gain strength because Government does not take any action against them for breaking the laws. 1533. Swadeshi Propaganda. * * *

Ratnagiri, August 23.—At Bankot on August 12, a meeting of 32 merchants formed an association with the following working committee: — Tribhuwan Dhaneshwar Gujar of Bankot, president, Lalji Mansharam Gujar of Bag-Mandla, vice-president, Purushottam Waman Karmarkar of Vesvi, secretary and ten members. It was resolved not to order foreign goods for one year, and the working committee should arrange to meet once in three months to survey the situation. The breakers of the conditions are to be fined Rs. 51. At Deogad. on August 17, a similar meeting of the merchants of Deogad was called in me house of Bhaskar Janardan Gogate, but the meeting did not come to any definite conclusion, and it was decided that the merchants of Kanakavli and Phonda should be invited and another meeting convened. In this meeting it was proposed that an undertaking should be given by the merchants; not to bring foreign goods. As the merchants could not give the undertaking, the meeting was dissolved. So also at Rajaput, a meeting was convened in the house of Bhikaji Vithal Borwankar. About 30 merchants were present. The meeting ended without any agreement being arrived at. This also caused a split among the various merchants. At Malwan on August 19, about 20 merchants resolved not to bring in foreign goods. All the goods received were allowed to be inspected by the volunteers, and if they were foreign goods they were to be sealed and kept in the custody of the merchants themselves. 1534. Temperance Propaganda. (1) S. B., Bombay Ptesideney, Poona, August 30.—Picketing of liquor shops is mentioned in the diaries received from the following districts.— Bandra (Chembur), Nasik (at 6 places), Ahmednagar (Pathardi and Kopargaon).

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(2) Thana, August .3.—Picketing continued at Bhayanadar, Virar, Dahanu and Kalyan and stopped at Padgha on August 18. 839

Picketers were present at Government propaganda meetings at Umbergaon, Dahanu and Palghar. (3)Nasik, August 23.—Liquori shop picketing continued at Chandor, Vadner Bahiroba, Kalwan, Manmad and Yeola and has been started at Trimbak. Generally speaking interest in the movement is still considerable, especially in Kalwan, Baglan, Nandgaon and Yeola. (4)East Khandesh, August 23.—There is no picketing but the caste panchayats that have been brought into being to put down liquor drinking are very strict. (5)Ahmednagar, August 16.—Picketing of liquor shops continue at Pathardi and Kopargaon. (6)Ratnagiri, August 23.—Malwan liquor shops were picketed till August 20, after which the picketing stopped. Toddy tree-booths near and about Malwan are being picketed since August 14, but it has no effect on the sales. At Khed, picketers still continue to sit in neighbouring houses to observe who visit the liquor shops, but this is also much on the wane. At Mithbav on August 17, Aba Nadkarni, Sambhu Arjun Birke and Apte, volunteers, advised the Mahars to abstain from drink, and wanted them to give such an undertaking but they refused to do so. 1535. Posters, pamphlets, leaflets and unauthorized newspapers. (1)West Khandesh, August 23.—Shanti Yuddha leaflets are being stuck up either to a wall or on posts in Dhulia and are being removed. The City Magistrate is taking action. (2)Ahmednagar, August 23.—The Jungle Khabar continues to issue at Sangamner under the editorship of Babulal Gujarathi. There are four men of this name in Sangamner. (3)Poona, August 23.—On August 20, 70 copies of Satyagraha Warta were seized from Shantaram Jagannath Karnik and on August 22, 16, 15, and 53 copies respectively from V. Y. Deokar, R. S. Nakate and B. G. Mahajani, all of the camp.

169 Vol. XLIII No. 37 of 1930 BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE Poona, September 13, 1930 POLITICAL, PoLITIco-RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL MOVEMENT 1569. Civil Disobedience Movement, General Summary. (1)Thana.—Week ending August 30. 27 meetings largest audience 600. Some Police Patels in Dahanu taluka are reported to have resigned. (2)Bandra.—Week ending August 23. Daily meetings at Ville Parle, Ghatkopar, Chembur. etc. Audiences at Versova and Andheri were 1,000 840 and 700, respectively on August 20 when Kasturba Gandhi and Janakibai Bajaj visited the places. (3)Nasik.—Week ending August 23, 28 meetings, audiences over 1,000 at Nasik, August 20 (4,000) to show disapprobation of His Excellency the Governor's visit; Yeola, August 16 (3,000). Bhutekar is active in forest satyagraha in Nandgaon and Yeola talukas. (4)West Khandesh.—23 meetings, largest audiences were all in Shirpur, August 14 (2,000), August 15 (1,000), August 16 (1,000) and August 19 (1,000). (5)East Khandesh.—Week ending August 23, 11 meetings, attendances over 1,000 at Jalgaon, August 17 (2,000), August 21 (2,000), Chopda August 18 (2,000). Prabhat feris and other processions are the usual features of agitation. (6)Ahmednagar.—Week ending August 30. The villagers in forest area remain truculent but the District Superintendent of Police considers that there is reason to hope that the forest satyagraha is being broken in Sangamner and Akola talukas. Outside this area Kopargaon and Rahuri talukas are most troublesome. There was enthusiasm at meetings on account of the arrest of members of the Congress Working Committee. Volunteers from outside including some from Bombay and Benares appear to have played a leading part in inciting the villagers. The raids appear to have had a wholesome effect. (7) Poona.—Week ending August 30, 15 meetings. Only two in Poona with an attendance over 1,000 on August 29 and 30. The Youth League under D. G. Pandit, self-styled dictator and K. M. Phadke, Joint Secretary of the Bombay Presidency Youth League, has been keeping up continuous propaganda since August 25 under the title of British Mis-rule Week, each day being given an anti-Government title such as Jail Brutality Day, Starvation Day, Over Taxation Day, etc. Phadke appears to be a man of extreme and dangerous views. A Merchants' Association has been established by 45 merchants on August 29 to carry on. Congress work in Poona. The subscription is fixed at Rs. 3 and Ambalal Shah, president of the Swadeshi Pracharak Committee, is taking the lead in it. It is likely that Poona city processions will be organised in the name of the Merchants' Association, since the Congress Committee has been declared an unlawful association. (8)Sholapur—Week ending August 23. Small procession at Pandharpur on August 17 in which the National Flag was taken in procession. (9)Satara.—Week ending August 23. 59 meetings. Agitation is active. Some of the speeches are of an inflammatory nature. There have been cases of open defiance of forest laws. In one the villagers allowed their cattle to graze in the reserved forest area. In the other, the forest guard was assaulted when he was taking cattle to impound them. Cyclostyled Congress Bulletins are reported to have been distributed in Satara. The villagers of Ashta hoisted a national flag on municipal ground in defiance of an order issued by the First Class Magistrate, Valva, under Section 42, District Police Act. 841

(10)Ratnagiri.—Week ending August 23, 19 meetings. Processions and hartals helped to stimulate the agitation. (11)Kolaba.—Week ending August 23. Forest satyagraha movement has taken a firm hold on the Agris of Alibag taluka. Twenty-two meetings in the district. 1570. Agitation. (1) Thana, August 30.—HartaIs were observed generally on account of the arrest of the members of the All-India Congress Committee. An armed party has been posted to guard the Excise warehouse at Kalyan, Dahanu taluka, as stones were thrown there and there is danger of a attack being made. A minor disturbance, shouting and abusing, occurred at Satpati during the visit of two Government officers in connection with light houses. Twenty seven meetings took place during the week, and propaganda in connection with prohibition and boycott of foreign goods continues unabated. The largest meetings were at Vada and Bulsar, where the audiences were about 600. At a meeting at Kalyan the audience was 400 and at one in Bassein 300. At all the others less than 300 persons were present. Kasturba Gandhi of Ahmedabad, Kaveribai Chaudhari of Bombay, Janakibai Jamnalal Bajaj of Kurla spoke at some of the meetings. (2) Bombay Suburban District, August 30.—The usual meetings were held daily throughout the week. The audiences were between 50 to 100, except on August 27 when 300 people were present to hear P. C. Ray. The other speakers at this meetig were Abdulla Rahimtulla, Vrashabhadas Jaweri, Balwant Dattatraya Phansalkar and Janakibai Bajaj. All the speeches were exhortations to carry on the movement and to encourage khaddar and spinning. Government was doing its best to suppress the movement, but all should fight until swaraj was obtained. Three meetings were held in Bandra and two in Laxminagar, Bandra taluka. One of the meetings in Bandra was addressed by Mrs. S. S. Naik and the other by S. S. Naik. At one the audience consisted of 100 women and at the other some 200 men, women and children. The audience in each case were exhorted to spin yarn and use khaddar, and to take part in the present movement. The third meeting in. Bandra was addressed by P. C. Ray and was presided over by K. Natrajan. Ray's speech was an exhortation to all to take part in the present movement. At Laxminagar, the meeting which consisted of 25 people, was addressed on August 24 by V. A. Sundaram of Benares University who read extracts from the Patel Committee Report. At the other meeting at Laxminagar on August 26, which was presided over by I. P. Menon, the following persons spoke :—Harigupta Vaswalla, D. G. Gadekar, Jamnadas C. Aroza, Wamanrao Kabadi and Trivedi of Bombay. The meeting was held to congratulate Abul Kalam Azad and the Benares volunteers on their arrest. The speakers said that none should fear lathi charges but should put on khaddar. Now that all Congress Committees had been declared illegal, every house should become a 842

Congress house. All were asked to subscribe 1/10th of their income towards the Congress fund. About 147 Prabhat feris moved about daily in different places in the district with national flags, singing national songs and shouting the usual slogans. At Bandra prabhat feris visited S. S. Naik's bungalow in the old Patkar’s block and sang national songs there in front of the Ganapati. The following processionists moved about with the national flags singing national songs and shouting the usual slogans :—(1) Procession of nine cycle volunteers of Bombay came from Bandra with national flags and boards inscribed boycott British goods in front of their cycles, via Ghod- bundar Road and moved about in Laxminagar singing national songs and proceeded towards Ville Parle. (2) 25 processionists came from Bombay Mugbhat Yuvak Sangh in a bus and got down near Andheri railway station and moved about in Andheri town from 3.30 to 4.30 p. m. with a national flag, singing national songs, and went back to Bombay. (3) Two processions took place at Malad : one consisted of 8 boys and the other of 20 Pardeshi Bhayas, (4) 7 processions took place at Versowa. At the chief one, 9 young volunteers of Bombay came to Versowa from Laxminagar on bicycles in the eventing via Ghodbundar Road and joined the procession of 100 persons, on August 24. They had a cardboard each in front of their cycles inscribed boycott British goods. This procession moved about the town then went to Gandhi Chowk and attended the meeting there. The cycle volunteers remained at Versowa for the night. The next morning they joined the prabhat feri and after its completion they returned to Bombay by the same route shouting Boycott British Goods. (5) There were five processions at Ghatkopar with attendance of 25 to 100. The procession of 100 workers of the Kirol Match Factory moved about as usual on August 24. On August 28, 40 people of Chembur came to Ghatkopar and moved about the town from 9 to 11 a. m. and returned. The dhawaja vandan ceremony was performed daily at Ghatkopar by about 25 people. On August 27 the zenda vandan ceremony was performed in the presence of about 200 people. Hartals were observed on August 28 at Kurla, Bandra, Khar, Versowa, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Chembur, Tromby and Borivli as a protest against the arrest of the leaders and members of the All India Congress Committee, while a partial hartal was observed at Santa Cruz. Achyut Waman Bhandarkar of Borivli kept his tea and pan shop open on August 28 with the permission of the Congress Committee by paying Rs. 6-4-0 to the Congress. (3) Ahmednagar, August 30.—On August 24 a meeting of 1,500 (150 women) was held in connection with the arrest of Abul Kalam Azad Keshav Ramchandra Garud, pleader of Ahmednagar, made the amazing statement that elsewhere 50 per cent of Muhammadans had joined the movement and gone to jail. On August 29 a procession of 500 was held in honour of the arrested members of the Congress Committee, and a meeting of 1,500 (150 843 women) was held that evening. The meeting broke up because of the announcement by K. R. Garud that Pandit Motilal Nehru had died. On August 30 a meeting of 2,500 (200 women) was held in connection with the arrest of Mrs. Hansa Mehta. One Miss Kusumbai Kanhere of Poona spoke on the same date was held the Collector's darbar, which in spite of attempts to boycott was so well attended that the hall was crowded to suffocation. The audience was orderly and there was no hostile demonstration or picketing; but the ropes of the Collector's tent, which had been put up as a waiting room, were cut in the night.

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Hartal was observed and attempt made to picket the vernacular school in Bhingar on August 29 as a protest against the arrest of the 10 leaders. Other meetings and processions were very poorly attended and there is friction among the leaders. Meetings were held at the following places :— Pathre Budruk, Police-Station Belapur, on August 21, audience 500 to 600. Rahata, on August 24, 27 and 30 audience about 300. Pathardi, on August 22, 24 and 26 audience 400 and less. Rahuri on August 28 and 29 audience 750 and 450. Parner, on August 21, audience 500. Kanur, on August 24, audience 500. Parner, on August 25, audience 500. Shrigonda, on August 29, audience 300. Other meetings were unimportant; as elsewhere, it is probable that a good many meetings at out of the way villages are not reported. At Belapur on August 25, during the flag procession, one Narayan Shankar Teli, wearing a hat, coat and spectacles, rode on a donkey which had been garlanded with shoes ; Laxman Chunilal Dutt walked in front beating a tin. A board was carried in the procession inscribed "my sign is an ass; votes should be given to me." Mohanlal Jagannath Marathi, Marwadi, who advocated non-payment of taxes, etc., at the meeting at Pathre Budruk has been convicted. A Rashtriya Bahiskar Saptah Karyakram has been arranged at Rahuri from August 23 to September 3 inclusive with daily meetings, processions, etc. (4) East Khandesh, August 30.—Hindus continue to be the chief backbone of the movement and of them chiefly the pleader class of Brahmins and Marwadis. The Muhammadans will not have anything to do with it except for a few stray cases of persons who have made it into a means of livelihood. 844

There were 14 meetings during the week of which the following are important :—

Date Place Attendance Remarks 24th August. Jalgaon 400 Ramsingh Raoji Patel and Vinayak Trimbak Kelkar announced that they would carry on the Congress work the committee of which had been arrested. The first was to be the secretary and the latter the president of the new committee. They were arrested and have been prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. 26th August.. Pachora 500 To congratulate two persons arrested for picketing the liquor shop. 29th August.. Jalgaon 2,000 Prabhakar Keshav Sonalkar and his brother Vasant were declared to be the founder and dictator of the Youth League which has been newly opened. The aim of the League was declared tc be :— To boycott foreign goods; to promote national industries ; to deliver lectures in villages; to acquaint the villagers with the boycott movement. 30th August. Jalgaon 2,500 V. K. Sonalkar spoke on the Youth League and asked for members and for hoisting of the Congress flag on every house. * * *

(5) Nasik, August 30.— There still appears to be no lack if interest in the movement from the number of meetings reported during the week; Kalwan, Baglan, Malegaon, Nandgaon and Yeola appear to be the most affected and Niphad and Gohi (Ghoti) also report a certain number of meetings. In all some 47 meetings have been reported during the week of any importance and three others also which have not been included which were attended by small numbers. There seems little doubt that the movement is still interesting the district and especially in Baglan, Kalwan, Malegaon, Nandgaon and Yeola. In Baglan and Kalwan the collection of grazing fees shows no improvement and arrests appear to have little satisfactory result. Meetings were held as under :—

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 22nd August Nasik 1,500 to 2,000 The present situation. (including 700 boys). 26th August Do. 1,500 to 2,000 To congratulate Bhagappa V. Gulve and Ramchandra B. Mahajani of Nasik on their arrest under Criminal Law Amendment Act. 28th August Do. 2,000 To congratulate the seven members of the All India Congress Committee on their arrest. 845

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 29th August Nasik 2,000 Religion, edcation and industries. The meeting was addressed by Sir P. C. Ray. 30th August Do. 1,000 Boycott of Councils. 28th August Deolali (Village) 250 to 300 Swaraj. 26th August Trimbak 400 To refuse to give anything free to Government servants and net to co-operate with them. 29th August Do. 400 Picketing of the local liquor Shops. 23rd August Deolali (Camp) 400-500 To stir up interest in the presort movement. 25th August Igatpuri 400 Liquor shop picketing. 22 nd August Ghoti 500-600 Boycott 24th August Sinnar 400 Use of khaddar 27th August Do. 150 Gramapanchayat and Congress Committee. 20th August Do. 350 Boycott of Council elections 24th August Niphad 300 Swaraj 25th August Do. 150-200 Forest satyagraha 26th August Do. 400-500 Present movement 27th August Do. 500 Boycott and civil disobedience 27th August Vadner 1,000 To congratulate one Waman Sonar on his arrest. Bahiroba, taluka Chandor. 28th August Malegaon 500-600 Boycott of foreign goods 26th August Zodga, taluka 900 to 1,000 Boycott of Government servants. Malegaon. 23rd August Khakurdi, taluka 300 Boycott of foreign goods Malegaon. 29th August Satana 600 To congratulate Congress leaders on their arrest.

(6) Poona, August 30.—A procession was organised on August 29 by the Swadeshi Pracharak Committee, newly established on August 26. This procession was to protest against the arrest of members of the Working Committee of Congress in Delhi. There was a partial hartal on August 28 and 29. About 600 persons processed and there was a meeting afterwards at Shaniwar Wada. On August 29, merchants met in Kikabhai Building, near Shukrawar Chowky, to found a merchants' association and to carry on Congress work in Poona. The subscription was fixed at Rs.3. It seems to be likely that Poona city meetings and Procession will be organised in the name of the above bodies, instead of as hitherto by the Poona City Congress Committee, which had been declared an unlawful association. 846

Meetings held includt the following: —

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) August 25 Shivaji Mandir, 250 Called brutality day. This was the first day of the British Poona City. misrule week inaugurated by the Poona Youth League. D. G. Pandit who presided referred to the Government notification declaring several Congress Committees and war councils illegal associations and congratulated H. V. Talpule on his conviction. He spoke on the alleged brutal treatment of the political prisoners in Visapur Jail. G. S. Palsule said the Civil Disobedience Movement had become uncontrollable. D. V. Divekar also referred to the alleged brutalities in the Visapur Jail and requested the audience to read the Report of the Visapur Enquiry Committee. K. N. Phadke and Govindlal Shivlal exhorted the people to take up the programme of law breaking. G. A. Deshpande referred to his camp being raided and said the satyagraha mandal would never be closed. R. B. Chikkerur appealed to the youths to enlist their names in the Youth League. August 26 Shivaji Mandir, 400 Called Martial Law day. This was the second day of the Poona City British misrule week. R. B. Chikkerur presided. Karnik referred to the Sholapur and Peshawar atrocities committed on innocent persons by the troops. Purandare, student, asked the audience to become members of Congress, though it had been declared an illegal association. K. G. Pashankar declared that he had taken the place of Tulpute and was dictator of the Congress Comrrittee, Poona City. G. A. Deshpande said that the City Congress Committee and the satyagraha mandal should not slacken their activities. August 27 Tilak Mandir, 300 British injustice day. Poona City K.N. Phadke, who presided, in his introductory speech, said that C. I. D. persons should not be mocked at. Real bravery lay in the youth coming forward to enlist as volunteers, and going to Sangamner for forest satyagraha or Baglan, or taking to some law-breaking programme in Poona. Discontent and injustice were the root causes of the present movement and it would not die till they were redressed. D. V. Divekar Said that the British people have committed innumerable unjust deeds since their arrival in India Agashe said that the British would not able to rule over the Indians unless they imprisoned or killed all. D. G. Pandit appealed to the students to come out of college, join the Congress and work for starving. August 28 Reay Market, 300 Dr. G. S. Palsule presided K. N. Phadke alleged that 220 Poona City. crores of rupees were drained from India every year and 50 crores were sent to England every year as interest of loans and 60 crores were sent to pay interest on British capital. He alleged that 60 percent of the 847

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) whole income of India was spent on the Indian administration, of which 63 crores were spent on the Military. Government officers should be boycotted. D. G. Pandit said that the only way of getting this administration changed was to join the Civil Disobedience Movement. He advocated non-payment of taxes.

August 28 Bhawani Peth, 300 Called plunder day. D. G. Pandit presided and made a Poona City. speech similar to the above. Karnik said that the Congress had taken up this movement for solving the bread problem of the poor and asked poormen especially to take part in this struggle. * * * August 29 Shaniwar 1,500 Held to congratulate the members of the Working Wada, Poona Committee on their conviction. Dr. G. S Palsule City presided. All the speakers condemned Government for arresting the Working Committee at Delhi and asked people to join the Congress. * * * August 30 Tilak Mandir, 1,000. Called starvation day. This meeting was presided by a Poona City. procession called bread processsion. D. G. Pandit who presided, described the miserable condition of the pool villagers, due to heavy taxation, and how M. K. Gandhi had taken up this movement only tor the poor. K. G. Pashankar advised the people to take up village life, to awaken the starving and sleeping masses of the villages. Daulat Trivedi, a released prisoner from Visapur Jail, described alleged bad treatment given to prisoners in Visapur. August 30 Bandar Talim, 400 Council Boycott. Chandulal presided. Raja Bahadur Poona Motilal Ishwarlal Shah, K. G. Pashankar alleged that Cantonment. British rule was a failure and asked the audience to join the Congress. K. N. Phadke Strongly criticised the Honourable Mr. Jadhav for doing nothing for the welfare of the country. He asked people not to go to the polling station. G. A. Deshpande Said that candidates for the Council should be picketed. He also said that the Congress Committee and the Satyagraha mandals had been declared illegal, but would not cease to function. The president declared that Nemchand Shall was not dictator of the Cantonment Satyagraha Mandal. Do. Wadakar 15. "Independence Fight of 1857." P. P. Kukde presided. R. Chawl, C. Bhide examined the causes of the failure of the Sadashiv Peth, Mutiny of 1857. He appealed to the audience to forget Poona City. their diffrences of opinion and become one.

(7) Satara, August 23. — There were about 59 meetiongs throughout the district in which the usual speeches on breach of forest laws, boycott of Government liquor and tea and spread of khaddar, social boycott of Government servents, etc., was delivered. Some of these speeches were of an 848 inflammatory nature and prosecutions in respect of them are being lodged. The application of the Unlawful Instigation Ordinance No. VI of 1930 is having the desired effect since the speakers are now very guarded in their utterances. (8)Sholapur, August 30.—The only meeting of the week was held at Pandharpur on August 29. It was presided over by Sarola (Sarvottam) Rajhansa, a lame Brahmin volunteer of Pandharpur, age 25, of no particular importanc. The audience numbered about 300 and the three speakers, apart from the chairman, were youths aged 20—22 two of whom were Brahmin students and the third a Marwadi servant. Their names are Narayan Madhav, 20, Brahmin student; Gurunath Appaji Kulkarni, 22, Brahmin student ; Jagannath Parsaram, Marwadi, 20, servant. (9)Ratnagiri, August 30.—The following processions were taken out during week:—

Date Place Purpose (1) (2) (3) 18th August Shiroda In honour of released prisoner Anant Sakhararn Nabar. 22nd August Malwan In honour of released prisoner Bapuji Narayan Samant. 24th August and Harnai and Mr-udi. Arrest of Maulana Azad, Congress President 25th August taluka Dap oli and 27th August KhedKhed. National Flag. 25th August Kanakavli Arrest of Maulana A. K. Azad, Congress President.

23 meetings were held during the week including 8 in protest of the arrest of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Congress President, and members of the Congress Working Committee. In almost all of them people were asked to continue the present campaign more vigorously. Two meetings for congratulating local agitators, viz., Anant Sakhararn Nabar of Shiroda and Bapuji Narayan Samant of Malwan after their release from Jail. One held bv Muhammadans at Raitnagiri in which the Muhammadans decided to co-operate with Government and not to join with Hindus in the present struggle. Eight for preaching boycott of foreign goods and liquor with the exception of the following four, the attendance at others was small :—

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 2nd August Malwan 1,000 Bapuji Narayan Samant was congratulated on his release and prizes were awarded to the best spinners amongst the boys. Bapuji Narayan Sarpart stated that according to the message of political prisoners in jail that movement will continue for 12 years more and Malwan, Deogad and Vengurla talukas will have to contribute 25 to 30 thousand rupees for the prosecution of the agitation. He himself promised to give 5 thousand 849

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) rupees and asked the people to collect the remainder. Shankar Krishnaji Gawankar stated that the picketing at Malwan was stopped as the merchants (liquor shopkeepers) gave an undertaking that they would not bid next year. 1573.Volunteers' Camp. West Khandesh, August 30.—From August 20 a shibir has been opened at Sindkheda in the house of one Ibrahim Abdoolbhai Bohari of Virdel which is hired at Rs. 7 per mensem. Six or seven volunteers are living there. One Gulabsingh Bhilsingh, Rajput of Takarkheda, has promised to feed them. Orders are being issued to close down all such shibirs, etc. The shibir at Sakri was attached on August 25 but it was vacated by the volunteers before that date. No volunteers were found. The shibir of Nandurbar was closed down when it was learnt that such institutions were declared unlawful. 1574. Volunteers' Camp, Search of. West Khandesh, August 30.—On August 25 the shibir at Dhulia was searched and the volunteers found therein were arrested and sent up. The dictator of the District Congress Committee and the Khandesh Kayadebhang Mandal Baloobhai Laxmidas Mehta has been arrested. The shibir was attached but afterwards the trustees of the property applied to the District Magistrate that they would not give their property for any illegal purposes henceforth and so the District Magistrate ordered the attachment to be removed. 1575. Forest Satyagraha. (1) S. B., Bombay Presidency, Poona, September 12.—The mass meeting called at Rajur on August 26 which was supposed to have been abandoned on account of Sant was however held with 4,000 people attending. All the available armed Police were concentrated there and 22 arrests were effected of people who were wanted in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement. After the meeting 5 volunteers and one local man were also arrested on the road to Akola. Of the arrested persons two are of a batch of ten ten volunteers who came from Bombay ; another was a volunteer from Benares who has been posing as an election agent of Rao Bahadur Ganesh Krishna Chitale of Ahmednagar, Council candidate : another is a Volunteer from Rahimatpur in Satara district, who has been working on this side since the beginning of the movement. The remaining 16 were local men, mostly Gujrathis. Of the five volunteers arrested later, three were of the Bombay batch of 10 and two were from Benares. This appears to have eliminated volunteers from Kotul side for the present and the meeting fixed for August 29 has been cancelled. A leadina man from Pemgiri, where the mam demonstration of July 22 was held, was arrested on Aueust 27. 850

On early morning of August 28, the police party set out for Shamsherpur, where it arrived at about 6-30 a.m. accompanied by the Mamlatdar. Warning of their approach was given and some of the villagers ran away, but 22 arrests were effected ; these included a volunteer from Rahata and one Waman Narayan Joshi, said to have been convicted in the Jackson Murder case. Many of the local leaders are said to have been sleeping in a neighbouring hamlet in anticipation of a raid and effected their escape, another leader was arrested at Sawargaon Villagers at Sawargaon and Deothan on the return route of the party ran away on its approach. These raids appear to have had a very wholesome effect in re-establishing respect for the alleged moribund Government. A Koli of Varangushi who gave water to the Police is said to have been punished, another report says that a parallel Government has been established at Shenit, the police Patil who had resigned and subsequently withdrawn his resignation being styled Fouzedar and a gun licensee, the Mamialdar. On August 29, one Vishnu Waman Patankar of Wai, Satara, was found at Akola Bazaar selling a pamphlet entitled Brief History of Bardoli published by S. V. Vaishampayan, of Wai. He was explaining how the campaign had been successful, and was instigating non-payment of taxes, and was therefore arrested. He had some 15—20 other books and posed as a book-seller. He said he had come to inquire for Manohar Shastri of the Pradnya Pathshala, Wai, who had disappeared some time back ...... He would not admit knowledge of Laxman Balaram Joshi1 who is suspected to be the Shastri, who was working with Sant and is still at large in this area. He also had a pencil manuscript ballad on the Bardoli Satyagraha. Another raid on Deothan on August 30 failed as the villagers ran away on the approach of the Police; the release on admonition of certain accused previously arrested from this village on their giving apology, has proved a bad precedent, as they subsequently refused payment of grazing fees. Latest reports show that Shastri Buwa is working in the neighbouring talukas of Nasik district as well as in this district; and that some volunteers are coming in through Choti (Ghoti), Sangamner being blocked. The Bari villagers on this side are being boycotted by Vheir neighbours for not taking part in the movement. A surprise raid was made on Lingdeo where the Sub-Inspector, Akola, was opposed previously on August 2 and two Gujerati and 13 Marathi leaders were arrested, some opposition was offered by women but the raid was finished before neighbouring villagers coulld collect. On August 27, a meeting at Sarol in Sangamner taluka of 1,200 decided that nobody should assist Government servants and Patils should resign. The Range Forest Officer who impounded cattle grazing in reserved forest near Loni was assaulted by some 50 villagers.

1Tarkateertha Laxman Shas i Joshi. 851

(2) Ahmednagar, August 30.—There is some reason to hope that forest satyagraha is being broken in Sangamner and Akola talukas, outside this area Kopargaon and Rahuri talukas are most troublesome. Meetings show an increase of enthusiasm, mainly due to the arrest of members of the Working Committee of the Congress. On August 24, a meeting of 800 was held at Dandarphal in Sangamner, at which it was decided that grazing fees and land revenue should not be paid, Government servants should not be assisted or feared, but should be boycotted. The Police Patil and Talathti, Deshmukh and Deshpande should resign. A meeting similar to above of 700 at Gargaon on August 24 also came to similar decisions. (3)East Khandesh, August 30.—The agitators of Dhulia taluka, West Khandesh, are now turning their eyes on the neighbouring talukas of Chalisgaon and Parola. At present everything has been quiet but many rumours are afloat that fort st satyagraha is to be practised by the villages of West Khandesh which are close to kurans in the East Khandesh. The event is awaited by all concerned with great eagerness to see whether it will be repeated. (4)West Khandesh, August 30.—There were two mass forest satyagraha incidents in the week. The first was on August 27 at Laling in Dhulia taluka about 8 miles from Dhulia. About eight thousand people had gathered. Jawdekar and Daulat Patil of Kapadana were the leaders. They were arrested, several other arrests are being made. The District Superintendent of Police was present on the spot. The second one was at Jayanagar, taluka Shahada, on August 31, under the leadership of one Mangu Babhuta Gujar of Shahada. About six thousand people had gathered. The leaders and others are being arrested. The District Superintendent of Police was at Sarangkheda which is close to Jayanagar. Seven persons out of those prosecuted for political offences have tendered apologies and applied for pardon. More persons are likely to come forward to do the same. (5) Satara, August 23.—The week under review reports two cases of open defiance of forest laws. In one the villagers allowed their cattle to graze in the reserved forest area. In the other, the forest guard was assaulted when he was taking cattle to impound them. Four accused in this case have been forthwith arrested and sent up for trial. Cyclostyled Congress Bulletins are reported to have been distributed in Satara. The shibir opened at Kanalap last week is not likely to continue long for want ot public support. One case under Section 117, I. P. C., read with the Forest Act, has ended in conviction. The accused, a satyagrahi, offered an unqualified apology and hence was bound over under Section 562. I. P. C. Another under the same section has been withdrawn for the same reason. 1576. Resignations. Thana, August 30.—It is reported that several Police Patels of Dahanu taluka have handed in their resignations. 852

1578. Swadeshi. Thana, August 30.—Liquor shop picketing took place during the week at Bassein and of a school at Sopara in Bassein taluka. 1579. Temperance Campaign. (1) Thana, August 30.—Liquor shop picketing took place during the week at Wangni, Padgha, Umbergaon, Kalyan, Dahanu, Virar, Bassein and Bhayandar. At Bassein and Bhayandar the District Magistrate's prohibitory order was again broken and seven persons were convicted under Section 188, I. P. C. Chholalal Ramdas Shroff of Palghar has taken part in the picketing and his place as leader of the District Satyagraha Mandal is likely to be filled by Govind Dharmaji Vartak of Virar. At Nargol, Dahanu taluka, M. M. Karbhai presided over a meeting with an audience of about 125 people and advised toddy contractors not to attend auction at present. Meetings with the object of enlisting the sympathy of contractors are more frequent, and at one meeting of various castes, Futgudis were called in to take an interest in the movement. (2)Bombay Suburban District, August 30.—Except at Chembur, there was no picketing of liquor shops. (3)Nasik, August 30.—So far as the picketing of liquor shops is concerned, it continues at Trimbak, Igatpuri, Pimpalgaon Baswant, Manmad and Yeola. No untoward happenings have occurred in this connection. (4)Satara, August 23.—Peaceful picketing of liquor shops continues as before. (5)Ratnagiri, August 30.—Picketing of liquor shops and toddy booths at Malwan was spasmodically carried on. Picketing of liquor shop at Khed continues as usual. 1580. Schools and Colleges. (1)East Khandesh, August 30.—At Nhavi, Faijpur Police station, when the local vernacular school opeend after two days holidays, it was found that two manuscript notices had been pasted in the school rooms advising the students to wear khadi, start prabhat feris, and to hoist the Congress flag on the school building. (2)West Khandesh. August 30.—On August 25 the boys of the City High School left school as they wanted to observe hartal on account of the arrest of some boys of that school who had gone to the liquor shop for picketing. Thev wanted to bring out the boys of the Garud High School too but failed. 1581. Benares Students in Poona (1) Poona, August 30.—Five Benares youths who had come to Poona to incite local students to leave college and break the 144, C.P.C., order against demonstration in contonment. having failed in their object, spent a night at the Christa Seva Sangh Ashram at Bhamburda before leaving Poona. 853

1583. Hoisting of the National Flag. (1)Ahmednagar, August 30.—The flag on the school at Jeur in Ahmednagar taluka was removed by the headmaster and the supervisor. The boys picketed the school one day but attended the next. Flag processions continue. (2)Satara, August 23.—It is reported that the villagers of Ashta hoisted a national flag on municipal ground in defiance of an order issued by the First Class Magistrate, Valwa, under Section 42 of the District Police Act. Steps are being taken to prosecute the leaders. (3)Sholapur, August 30.— The Sub-Inspector, Pandharpur taluka, reports an incident of some interest that occurred in Karkamb on August 24. It appears that when the headmaster of the local school turned up to open the school soon after 6 a.m. on August 25, he found a national flag flying on a wooden board. It appears that five local persons were responsible for this. The report, dated August 26, adds that the flag was still flying. 1590. Congress Affairs. East Khandesh, August 30.— The Taluka Congress Committees of Chalisgaon, Erandol, and Amalner have been dissolved following the declaration by Government making Congress an unlawful association. 1591. Ville Parle Chawani. Bombay Suburban District, August 30.—In the Ville Parle Chhawani, there were still 53 men and 13 women volunteers on the roll. A further 18 men and 20 women enlisted their names for giving yarn to the Chhawani and paid 4 annas each. This brings the total number of names up to 496. The Bengali volunteer, Subeshchandra Gupta, who came to Ville Parle Chhawani, left for Bengal on August 25. The leaders of the Chhawani are thinking of vigirous picketing of the shops of foreign articles in the Mount Mary Fair of Bandra, which is going to be held in September.

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Vol. XLIII. No. 38 of 1930 BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE Poona, September 20, 1930 POLITICAL, POLITICO-RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL MOVEMENTS 1636. Civil Disobedience Movement, General Summary. S. B., Bombay Presidency Poona, September 19.—The general situation in most districts appears to show signs of lassitude, which is probably mainly due to lack of leaders. The monsoon conditions in some parts have also assisted in taking people's minds off politics, as the 854 usual forms of agitation, such as processsions and meetings, have frequently had to be cancelled owing to inclement weather. Most districts showed a considerable drop in the attendances at meetings. The boycott of Councils, a forest satyagraha and the boycott of foreign goods and liquor are the main subjects of agitation. The following are details of the state of agitation in the districts individually. Thana.—Week ending September 6. 23 meetings, small audiences. Bandra.—Week ending August 30. Prabhat feris, hartals and small meetings are the main forms of agitation. The largest audience was one of 300 persons who were present to hear P. C. Ray speaking on August 27. Boycott of foreign goods and liquor are the main subjects of agitation. Ahmednagar.—Week ending September 6. The movement shows signs of slackness. Meetings of any size only occurred at Rahuri, where the audiences were over 1,000 on August 30, August 31, and September 1. Anti-forest satyagrah is making a definite headway in Akola and Sangamner talukas. A bare-headed procession attended by over 400 persons took to the burning ghat the corpse of a volunteer (Laxman Ramchandra Varkhedkar) who died in hospital of enteric. The rumour was spread that he died of injuries received in jail. The satyagraha office at Ahmednagar shows litile activity; all the work apparently being done at the house of Keshao Ramchandra Garud, pleader ot Ahmednagar. Garud stood surety for some of the forest satyagraha accused and also put up volunteers and satyagrahis who come to Ahmednagar. Almost the whole of the forest dues have been collected at Lingdev which was raided on September 2. Shamsherpur, Deothan and Pimpalgaon Khand, near Lingdev, have also commenced to pay. Good collections have also been made in the Sangamner taluka. Shastri Buwa and his volunteers are said to have made Ghoti their headquarters. East Khandesh.—Week ending August 30. 14 meetings. Audiences over 1,000 at Jalgaon, August 29 (2,000), and August 30 (2,500). West Khandesh.—Week ending August 30. Two demonstrations of mass forest satyagraha took place at Laling, in Dhulia taluka, August 27, when 3,000 people gathered and at Jayanagar, taluka Shahada, on August 31 when 6,000 people gathered. Nasik.—Week ending August 30, 47 meetings. In Baglan and Kalwan the collection of grazing fees shows no improvement and the arrests have had little effect so far. All the big meetings have been held at Nasik, August 22 (1,500), August 26 (2,000), August 28 (2,000), August 29 (2,000) and August 30 (1,000). These were held to congratulate the All-India Congress Committee members and local leaders on their arrests. Poona.—Week ending September 6. Twenty per cent polled for the Assembly elections. Leaflets by N. C. Kelkar supporting Mr. Haji came to notice, but he; was believed to be really supporting N. R. Gunjal. The Ganpati festival passed off quietly assisted by torrential rains during the week. The Lonavla branch of the Kayadebhang Mandal was 855 raided on August 31 and the president, secretary and the captain of the volunteers were arrested. They were discharged by the District Magistrate on their tendering apologies and promises to take no further part in the movement. D. G. Pandit, the so-called dictator of the Youth League, made a seditious speech at Kodit village near Saswad, inciting the people, as descendants of Shivaji's soldiers, to rise in rebellion and not to pay taxes and to break forest law. He has since been arrested and sentenced. The chief point of interest noticed in recent meetings is the deliberate fying of outside speakers as compared with the truthfulness of the local speakers. This was particularly noticed with regard to the death in the Yeravda Jail of a volunteer named Ratilal Sakalchand. At a meeting held under the auspices of the Poona Youth League on September 8. Govindram of the Benares iniversity, said that Ratilal was given the Work of grinding in jail and died of this and of the beating he received. Two local speakers, K. G. Pashankar and Haribhau Vaghire speaking after Govindram emphasised that from their own knowledge Ratilal had died of some chronic disease and was not flogged. No meetings had audiences over 500 in Poona and the 5th of September Gandhi Day was a fiasco. Satara.—Week ending August 30. Matters at Bilashi in connection with forest satyagraha became very serious and open defiance of law was the order of the day. A special police party was rushed into Satara to deal with the situation. Sholapur.—Weeks ending August 30 and September 6. One meeting at Pandharpur on August 29, audience 300. National flag processions are reported from Akluj, Malsiras Police-station, and Kondej, Karmala Police-station, and are the main forms of agitation. The Ganapati festival produced little enthusiasm. Ratnagiri.—Week ending August 30. 23 meetings, attendance over 1,000 at Malwan on August 22. 8 of these meetings were held to protest against the arrest of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. 1636. Agitation. (1) Thana, September 6—23 meetings took place during the week and propaganda, in connection with prohibition and boycott of foreign goods, continues. The largest meetings were at Vada, and at Veti in Dahanu taluka, where the audiences numbered 300 and 400 respectively. Less than 250 persons were present at the other meetings. In Vada taluka Kathodis were asked to interest themselves in the movement. At Veti on September 5, Kalis and Warlis were exhorted to refuse to do any forest work. R. K. Khadilkar, editor of the Nava Kal, Bombay, Dr. Suratkar of Parel, Bombay, Popatlal Shah of Bombay and Kamlabai Janardan, Tendulkar of the Delisle Road Committee, Bombay, spoke at some of the meetings. (2) Bombay Suburban D strict, September 6.—Small prabhat feris daily moved in 15 places in the district. 856

During the week the following processions daily moved in the places mentioned below with national flags, etc.—-

Place . No of Attendance Remarks Processions (1) (2) (3) (4) Ville Parle 1 100 The procession its including volunteers of the Ville Parle Chhawani under the leadership of R. N. Meata moved in Parle town with a handcart filled with contraband salt. It was dragged by volunteers and the salt was distributed in Parle town. Santa Cruz 1 100 All these processions were taken out under the Andheri 5 12-100 leadersnip of Motiram Hirji Kaskar, Koli of Versowa 7 50-80 Versowa. Malad 4 8-10 -- Borivli 1 25 -- Bandra 6 15-200 -- Laxminagar 1 18 -- Ghatkopar 5 20-200 The procession of 5th September 1930 of 200 workers of the National Match Factory of Ghatkopar moved in the town and attended the meeting. About 500 Gujrathi and other caste people went to Ghatkopar station on 5th September 1930 to receive Manilal Gujarathi of Ghatkopar who was released from Visapur jail.

(3) Ahmednagar, September 6.—Flag services held on August 31 and September 7 were attended by 125 only. Disgust at lack of enthusiasm expressed by Keshav Ramchandra Garud, pleader of Ahmednagar, who is at present running things here. Elsewhere in the district, except for Rahuri and the forest satyagraha area, activities were confined to flag processions and prabhat feris, even those showing a waning interest. A procession of only 125 was held in Ahmednagar on September 5, being Gandhi Day. The meeting, which was to follow, was abandoned for lack of an audience. K. R. Garud compared the local people with those of Bombay, who did not care for rain or lathis. A bareheaded procession, attended bv 400 to 500 with 4 black flags, took to the burning ghat the corpse of a volunteer named Laxman Ramchandra Varkhedkar who died here in hospital of enteric. The rumour here is that he died of injuries received in jail. The satyagraha office in Ahmednagar is sometimes kept open, sometimes shut, and at times with or without a board. No activity is going on there, all work apparently being done at the house of Keshav Ramchandra Garud, Pleader. Proceedings under the Pleaders' Act are in progress against this man. The Mandal appears not to be taking part in any illegal activities for he present, and interest in the movement in Ahmednagar is very dull so no action is being taken against the Mandal for the nonce. K. R. Garud has stood surety for some of the forest satyagraha accused. He also puts up volunteers and satyagrahis who come to Ahmednagar. 857

At Jeur, Ahmednagar taluka, a private school was opened on August 31, but very soon closed down, and attendance at the Local Board school has been resumed. Meetings of 1,000, 1,600. 1,500 and 450 were held at Rahuri on September 1 and 3, The subjects were the boycott of foreign cloth, to keep the movement going and to join the Congress. (4) East Khandesh, September 6.—The district continues to remain quite for all the rumours that are still flying around. The Youth League in Jalgaon may be able to work up the dying fires of political actions. The local people are not of the stuff of which martyrs are made and have no desire to go to jail. Prabkat jeris continue to be taken out at various places in the district, Some villages in Edlabad petha have been stirred up into taking flag processions by a party of youths from the Central Provinces. 25 meetings were held in the district during the week of which the following are important:—

Date Place Attendance Remraks (1) (2) (3) (4) 1st Sept. Jalgaon 1,000 Raghunath Vinayak Vaidya sang a ballad describing the cruel treatment meted out by Government. 2nd Sept. Do. 1,200 Narayan Mahadeo Gokhale stated that he had re- started the Congress Committe in Jalgaon of which he was to be president, and Bhavdu Motiram Bari, the secretary. They were both arrested under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. 3rd Sept. Do. 3,000 P. B. Shah was president and Mohamad Ali Chhagla was speaker. He expressed his opinion that non- violence was an experiment and advised the Muhammadans to join the struggle.

(5) West Khandesh, September 6.—14 meetings were held in the district during the week but none is of any importance. The movement in general is waning now. (6) Nasik, September 6.—In Nasik Dhanalal Javamal Agrawal, Marwadi of Nasik, and Mahadeo Balwant Gadgil appear to be taking a leading part in the movment. Outside Nasik, Bhutekar is reported to be taking a prominent part in Yeola and Nandgaon talukas, keeping up interest in the movement and generally moving about making trouble. The public still appear to be showing very considerable interest in the movement, especially in Nandgaon, Malegaon, Yeola, Baglan and Kalwan. The Muhammadan community continues to remain aloof from the movement. There appears still to be no signs of the movement showing any signs of slackening, although perhaps in Baglan taluka, since the close of the week there has been a slight improvement, and some grazing fees have been collected. In Kalwan, on the other hand, the movement has shown signs of strengthening and a mass forest satyagraha took place at Nandori village on the 10th instant, at which some 3,500 persons are said to have been present. Heavy rains probably prevented a larger gathering 858

Meetings held include the fallowing :—

Date Place Audience Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) Sept. 1 Nasik 2,000 Boycott of Councils. Sept. 4 Do. 1 ,000 The present situation. Sept. 5 Do. 500 Observance of Gandhi Day. Sept. 2 Trimbak 500 Boycott of Councils. Sept. 2 Vani 400 to 500 Forest satyagraha. Sept. 3 Vadner Bahi-roba 500 To congratulate local persons arrested. Sept. 3 Nandgaon 200 to 250 To congratulate a released political prisoner (convicted at Ville Parle). Sept. 1 Nimgaon Malegaon. 500 Boycott of tea and British goods, etc.

Sept. 4 Satana 150 Boycott of schools and the Police Patel.

(6) Poona, September 6.—Al Tilak Mandir on August 31st Yashodabai Phadke announced that she had been appointed to the Congress Working Committee. At Shaniwar Wada on September 1 one Gopalrao Pragji recently released from Yerawda Jail alleged that a 16 year old boy, Ratilal Sakhalchand of Rampur (Ahmedabad), had been beaten to death in the jail and he had seen his half burnt body. At Shivaji Mandir on September 1, B. B. Bhopatkar, editor of Bhala newspaper, addressing 400 persons. criticised Gandhi's civil disobedience and boycott programme of schools, courts and councils. The only boycott he favoured was of British goods. The following meetings were held during the week :—

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 1st Sept. Dwyer Lane 300 D. G. Pandit, the president, K. N. Phadke and Satyabhamabai Kuvlekar spoke on Council boycott. Do. Shaniwar Wada 300 The president was Anandibai Joglekar. D. G. Pandit, GopalRao Gore, Gopalrao Pragjee, Satyabhamabai Kuvlekar and K. G. Pashankar were the speakers. 2nd Sept. Rasta Peth 150 K. N. Phadke said that the movement of civil disobedience was a revolt against the British Empires that the youths were first mocked at, but it was they who had compelled the All India Congress Committee to pass the resolution for complete independence. The duty of the youth in this non- violence revolution was to create feeling of contempt towards the bureaucracy and to damage its prestige. They must make Government afraid of the youths, so that a C. I. D. man was put on each youth. It was not enough to advise the peasants not to pay the taxes; everyone must be made to think that he must get his rights. Government used to take the aggressive, but now the situation was reversed. 859

Date Place Attendance Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 4th Sept. Shivaji Mandir 400 The subject was satyagraha and boycott. Bhopatkar compared the political methods of Tilak and of Gandhi and favoured the Tilak policy. The only way of obtaining Swaraj or independence was the complete boycott of British goods. 4th Sept. Dwyer Lane 300 To congratulate Messrs Dheer and Vaghire on their release. H. Vaghire spoke on the treatment of prisoners in Yeravada jail- Narottam spoke as regards Visapur Jail. R.D. Dheer made strong remarks against the cantonment merchants for opening their shops and for not keeping their promises. 5th Sept. Shaniwar Wada 200 The president was Dr. G. S. Palsule, The speakers were Mrs. Yashodabai Bhat, D. G. Pandit, Dayanand Swami, K. G. Pashankar and Haribhau Bhandare. Mrs. Yeshodabai incited the audience to become Congress members though the Government were trying to suppress it. Every house must become a Congress home and a Satyagraha Mandal. D. G. Pandit alleged that India was being financially exploited by the rulers who were afraid to entrust administration to them. The only way of attaining swaraj, he said was the breaking of the laws and boycott. Dayanand Swami explainer the importance of the Hindu religion and advised the audience to abide by it while fignting for swaraj. K. G. Pashankar condemned the violence committed at Calcutta and Dacca.

(7)Sholapur, September 6.—On 29th August processions were held at Akluj (Malsiras Police Station) and at Malsiras in connection with the arrest of Vithalbhai Patel and others. National flag processions were taken out on 2nd Septeml or and 3rd September at Kondej (Karmala Police Station). In all cases these processions were Jed by purely local agitators. It is reported that during the processions at Kondej, Government officers generally and local officials, such as the Patel, were abused. (8)Kolaba, September 6.—The week was lacking in incident. The Civil Disobedience Movement was tempered but not overshadowed by Ganapati festival. Remarks in the usual strain, on the above movement crept into most speeches at Ganapati celebrations. Alibag taluka is fairly quiet for the present, but there appear possibilities of trouble in Panvel taluka in the near future. Volunteers have been moving in the villages of the taluka paving the way for forest satyagraha. At the time of writing it is learnt that forest satyagraha is proposed in three villages of the Panvel taluka on September 8. (9) Ratnagiri, September 6. —25 meetings were held during the week, of these only 7 were attended by 500 and over the average of the rest being under 200. Almost alI of them preached boycott and Civil Disobedience Movement. The agitators had taken advantage of the Ganapati festival for which generally people gathered. 860

Morning rounds (prabhat feris) are going on at 18 places. They have stopped at Dapoli and Khed. Processions were taken out at 7 places for arrest of Congress leaders besides one at Malwan on 1st September 1930 to protest against the prosecution of Ladu Gopal and others, and another at Mumbri (Deogad) on 9th August 1930 in honour of the death of Dattatraya Bhau Koyade in Karachi firing 2 months back. Meetings held include the following :—

Date Place Attendant Remarks (1) (2) (3) (4) 1st Sept. Achare 500 To offer prayers for the success of the movement and for the release of leaders now in jail. 3rd Sept. Ratnagiri 1,375 Vishwanath Gopal Shetye, pleader, Ratnagiri gave a history of the political progress of India.

1643. Forest Satyagraha. Ahmednagar, September 6.—Grain collected at Sangamner for the Shibir is said to have been sent to Chandrapur for the families of those in jail, as the Shibir is closed Shastri Buwa and his volunteers are said to have gone to Belvandi (Bahulvandi) in Akola taluka, and asked the Police Patel to resign; but he refused. A meeting at Javle Baleshvar in Sangamner taluka is said to have forced the Patel to resign and ordered the Mahars not to work. Shastri Buwa is said to be now making his headquarters at Ghoti. The road patrol at Hari is being strengthened temporarily to check incursions from that side. Almost the whole amount of forest dues have been collected at Lingdev which was raided on September 2. Shamsherpur and Deothan have also promised to pay. Pimpalgaon Khand, near Lingdev, has also commenced to pay. Good collections have also been made in Sangamner taluka. Further raids will be made after the elections, if necessary. Men cannot be spared at present for any big raids. Heavy rain is hampering operations. Sangamner seems to have lost interest in forest satyagraha. 1644. Bulletins, unauthorised news-sheets, etc. (1)Ahmednagar, September 6.—The Bulletin, Jangal Khabar, is being published only very intermittently. (2)Kolaba, September 6.— A printed leaflet in Marathi entitled Shetkari Athavda has made its appearance at Panvel, purporting to be issued by the Panvel Taluka Congress Committee, six issues have so far appeared. The leaflet aims at discrediting Government and Government Departments and winning over the agriculturists. 1648. Hartals. (1) West Khandesh, September 6.—Hartals were observed on August 30 at Kukurmunda, taluka Taloda, and Namdurbar as a protest against the arrest of Vallabhbhai Patel and Balubhai Mehta. 861

The vernacular school was closed but the Urdu school was open. (2) Ratnagiri September 6.—Hartals were observed on account of arrest of Congress leaders at 16 places and on 2nd September 1930 at Deogad for arrest of picketer . 1649. Swadeshi. (1)Thana, September 6.—Picketing of foreign cloth shops took place in Bassein. (2)Bombay Suburban District, September 6.—There was a show of Swadeshi articles on 13st August 1930 at Anand Bhuwan Santacruz. (3)Ahmdnagar, September 6.—A thread exhibition was held in Ahmednagar during the week Taluka, Charkhas, etc., were exhibited. (4)West Khandesh, Setember 6.—On August 30 a private meeting of merchants was called at Taloda and it was decided to fine Amichana and Kamaralli Rs. 36 each for ordering foreign sugar. The fine has not been recovered as yet. (5)Ratnagiri, September 6.—In Malwan camp instructions in spinning are being given. An attempt is being made to persuade the merchants of Chiplun to give an undertaking not to order foreign goods but they are weaving. It is learnt that the leader of the Civil Disobedience Movement Kashinath Sakharam Rediz and 2-3 other merchants have ordered 2 boat loads of goods which are mostly foreign goods. A meeting of 5 merchants of Dapoli was held on 28th August 1930 to discuss the boycott of foreign goods and not to order any, but before doing so it was decided to consult the Muhammadan merchants at Anjarla and Dabhol. 1650. Temperance. (1)S. B., Bombay Presidency, Poona. September 19.—Picketing of liquor shops is mentioned in the diaries received from the following districts—Thana (at 8 places), Bandra (Chembur and Khar), Nasik (at 6 places), Satara (Lonand and Wai). Ratnagiri (Khed). (2)Thana, September 6.—Liquor shop picketing took place during the week at Bhayandar, Padgha, Bassein, Dahanu, Kalyan and Virar. At Bassein and Bhayandar the District Magistrate's prohibitory order was again broken and 11 persons were convicted under Section 188, P. C. At Virar, the Distrrict Magistrate has issued orders which prohibited picketing, under Section 39 of the Bombay District Police Act. two reasons broke these orders during the week and were convicted under Section 65 of the Bombay District Police Act. The liquor shops at Vada, Gorha, Khatal and Badlapur were picketed on the Gauri holidays during the week. Padgha liquor shop picketing was discontinued from September 4. The armed party posted to guard the liquor warehouse at Kalyan in Dahanu taluka, has been withdrawn as there was no sign of further trouble. 862

(3) Bombay Suburban District, September 6.—There was picketing during the week at the following places :— At Chembur the usual picketing was carried on and at Khar 4 men and 4 women were arrested for picketing at the liquor shop. They were convicted under Section 4 of the ordinance No. V of 1930. (4) West Khandesh, September 6.—Picketing of liquor and toddy shops at Dhulia has stopped since August 29. On September 2, two men picketed the liquor shop at Dondaicha. They are being prosecuted. (5)Satara, August 30.—Picketing of liquor shops continues at Lonand and Wai. (6)Ratnagiri, September 6.—Picketing of liquor and toddy shops was carried out at Malwan Mithbav, Deogad, Pathardi (Chiplun), Achare, Savans (Khed) and Kotavli (Khed) only for the Gauri festival and since then it has been stopped. Khed shop is being picketed at intervals as usual. 1651. Council Elections.1 (1)Thana, September 6.—During the elections on September 3 and 4, although no picketing took place except at Manor, very few voters attended the polls. (2)Ahmednagar, September 6.—There was no picketing of the Assembly elections anywhere in the district. (3)West Khandesh, September 6.—Polling stations at Nawapur and Chinchpada were picketed but this had no effect. (4)Poona, September 6.—The Assembly elections on September 2 were peacefully picketed but about 20 per cent polled. A leaflet advising non-voting and signed by about 150 persons, chiefly shopkeepers, was distributed in Poona city. Another leaflet signed by N. C. Kelkar supporting candidature of Mr. Haji also came to notice. He is believed to be really supporting Mr. Gunjal. Council voting boycott has been a leading theme with speakers during the week and two meetings were devoted specifically to this one in Cantonment, and one at Shaniwar Wada on September 1. On August 31 at a similar meeting in the Cantonment D. G. Pandit, Youth League Dictator, denounced the Indian Members and Ministers of the Govrernment of Bombay. 1652. National Flag Hoisting. (1)Thana, September 6.—The Congress flag was hoisted on the local Board School at Dalkhand in Shahapur taluka on September 2. (2)Bombay Suburban District, September 6.—On 2nd September 1930 at 6-15 p.m. Vasant Keshav Randive, an employee of the Kurla Municipality and native of Pen in Kolaba district, hoisted national flags on the Office of the Kurla Municipality and Resident Magistrate, Kurla. Both these flags were removed by their respective authorities. During all the days of the week dhwaj wandan (flag salutation) ceremony was daily performed in the Satyagraha Chhawani at Ghatkopar by about 30 people.

1 While boycott of Councils was the Congress programme, Kelkar stood for Council Entry. 863

(3) Satara, August 30.—A national flag has been hoisted on the Dravid High School at Wai. 1654. Anti-Civil Disobedience Movement. East Khandesh, September 6.—A loyalist meeting was held on August 31 at Bhusaval in which the speaker, a Mahar, advised his caste-fellows to remain loyal to the British rule. 1656. Gandhi Day: Observance of. Poona, September 6.—Leaflets were distributed calling for processions in cantonment and city in September 5 for Gandhi Day. 1657. Lonavla Kaydebhang Mandal: Raid on the Poona, September 6.—The Excise Inspector brought to notice that liquor shop picketers at Lonavla were enlisted members of Maharashtra Kayadebhang Mandal, recently declared an unlawful association. On August 31, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Western Division, raided the premises in Lonavla which house the offices of G. R. Chitale, pleader, the Railway Union and the Congress. Kayadebhang Mandal enrolment forms were found, and the president, secretary and captain of the volunteers of the Lonavla Branch were arrested and brought in to Poona, and placed on September 1 before the District Magistrate, who accepted their apologies and discharged them. Chitale the pleader, who is also a leader in this branch, being absent on Railway union business, could not be arrested. 1659. Ville Parle Chhawani. Bombay Suburban District, September 6.—There was no change in the number of volunteers in the roll in the Ville Parle Chhawani. During the week 60 men and 3 women gave their names as volunteers laying annas four. 50 persons of Kurla also gave their names. During the week the following visited the Ville Parle Chhawani :—Dharmanand Kosambi, Acharya Dhawan, K. P. Khadilkar, V. V. Jerajani, P. M. Bbagwat, Ramibai Kamdar, Avantikabai Gokhale, Y. K. Khadilkar, N. S. Nanavati. 1662. Youth League. East Khandesh, September 6.—The Youth League which has recently been started in Jalgaon under the dictatorship of Vasant K. Sonalkar held a house to house procession on August 31 when they sold national flags, with the result that practically every house in Jalgaon now sports a flag. 1665. Congress Affairs. East Khandesh, September 6.—The Pachora Taluka Congress Committee have not openly resigned, but the sign board of "The Congress Committee, Pachora" has been taken down and one bearin the inscription. "The Charkha Mandail" has been put up on the same house. One Velji Kanji has declared himself dictator at Pachora. Orders have been issued for his arrest. 864

CHIRNER FOREST SATYAGRAHA

Maharashtra has every reason to be proud of the mass forest satyagraha at Chirner. The entire area was enthused with processions and meetings. Congressmen such as G. V. Ketkar, Vinayakrao Gowilkar, Bedekar, H. M. Joshi and Prabhakar Gupte propagated the message of Gandhiji in the rural area. A huge mass of people violated the forest laws at Chirner, Kalhe and Chawane on 8th September 1930. The Maharashtra Civil Disobedience Committee was directing the operation . The most grim battle was fought on 25th September 1930. The Mamlatdar with a considerable police force was sent to curb the satyagraha Non-violent satyagrahis were handcuffed without an order of the Mamlatdar. The police officer, however took offence and on a slight pretetx opened fire. The Mamlatdar came forward to stop use of this brutal force. Unfortunately he fell a victim to a chance shot. In this firing five officials including the Mamlatdar and six citizens died. The Poona Sarwjanik Sabha appointed an unofficial Enquiry, Committee in October 1930 under the presidentship of Jamnadas M. Mehta. The Government, however, banned the working of this Committee. The Government instituted prosecution and convicted 47 persons. Eminent advocates including K M. Munshi, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, B. G. Kher and Dadasaheb Karandikar gave grand defence when the case was referred to the High Court. A Committee, known as the Chirner Relief Committee, was established to give legal and financial aid to the accused in this case. Lalji Naranji, B. G. Kher, K. M. Munshi, Narayanlal Bansilal, L. B. Bhopatkar, Nagindas T. Master, Bhausaheb Puranik, S. C. Joshi and H. M. Joshi were the members of this committee. After the High Court verdict on this case, the Chirner Relief Committee raised a memorial at Chirner. Vithalbhai Patel, brother of Vallabhbhai Patel, unveiled the memorial on 3rd January 1932. This memorial was, however, dismantled by the Government in June 1912. Important Documents and notes on Chirner Satyagraha will be furnished in Vol, XII— Civil Disobedience Movement.— Editor.

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Vol. XLIII No. 39 of 1930 BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE Poona, September 27, 1930. POLITICAL, POLITICO-RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL MOVEMENT 1703. Civil Disobedience Movement: General Summary S. B. Bombay Presidency, Poona, September 20.—Advantage has been taken of the Ganapati festival to try and keep up agitation, but, except in the south, there are signs that there is lessening interest,………. 865

Toddy trees cutting practically ceased here during the week eading September 13. Ratnagiri and Kolaba also show a fair amount of agitation, but there is a distinct waning of interest in Ahmednagar. The celebration of Gandhi's birthday produced a large attendance of 6,000 persons at Surat, but the attendances in most districts have been much smaller at meeting in general. The main cause of less open agitation appears to be the lack of leaders, but within the next few months several of the prominent leaders were arrested at the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Campaign may be expected to be returning to active politics on their release from jail, and should their activities remain long unchecked they are likely to flog the present waning interest into something more active. Ahmednagar.—Week ending September 13. There is a marked loss of interest at Sangamner and Akola talukas. No meetings of any importance were held during the week. Forest satyagraha is distinctly quieter. Shastri Buwa is reported to have removed his headquarters to a village under Patta Fort on the extreme border of the Ahmednagar and Nasik districts. The villages around Ghoti are reported to be giving a cold welcome to volunteers who include college students. It is significant of the general situation that cloth merchants at Sangamner have begun to sell foreign cloth in the open market. East Khandesh.—Week ending September 6. 25 meetings. Audiences over 1,000 at Jalgaon, September 1 (1,000), September 2 (1 200) and September 3 (2,000). West Khandesh.—Week ending September 6, 14 meetings, but none of any importance. The movement in general is reported to be warning. Nasik.—Week ending September 6. 23 meetings. Largest attendances were at Nasik, August 31 (6,000), September 1 (2,000) on boycott of Councils, September 4 (1,000), Yeola, August 29 (2,000) to congratulate Congress leaders on their arrest, Nandgaon, August 31 (1,500). In Nasik Dhanalal Javarmal Agrawal is taking a leading part in the Movement and Dr. Bhutekar is active in Yeola and Nandgaon talukas. There is very considerable interest taken in the movement in Nandgaon, Malegaon, Yeola, Baglan and Kalwan talukas. Mass forest satyagraha took place at Nandori village in Kalwan taluka on September 10 when 3,500 persons were present. Poona.— Week ending September 13. There were only five meetings in Poona City and Cantonment and the largest attendance at these meetings was 300. The meeting were in connection with the arrests of Congress leaders who included S. B. Mehendale, D. G Pandit, K. N. Phadke and V. V. Gokhale. All these persons, some of whom styled themselves dictators of the Youth League, were sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment during the week. Sholapur.—Week ending September 6. Agitation was confined to procession at Akluj (Malsiras Police Station), Malsiras and Kondej (Karmala Police Station). Ratnagiri,—Week ending September 6, 25 meetings. The Ganpati festival was taken advantage of for political propaganda. There was an 866 attendance of 1,400 at Ratnagiri on September 3, but other meetings had much smaller audiences, only seven being attended by 500 and over. Kolaba.—Week ending September 6 and 13. Political references crept into most of the meetings in connection with Ganapati festival. Forest satyagraha took place on a large scale at Khale, Chirne and Chavne villages. At the demonstration at Khale there were nearly 3,000 participators and over 1,000 trees were cut down. Twelve leaders were arrested. 1704. Agitation. (1) Bombay Suburban District, September 13.—During the week 88 prabhat feris moved in the various places in the district with national flags, singing national songs, and shouting the usual slogans. The largest procession was held at Ghatkopar when seven prabhat feris on September 7 went to the Gymansium School, where they sang national songs and ballads. Yarn rumals were distributed amongst the Vanar Sena boys on behalf of the Hindu Maha Sabha. Thereupon they came near the Swadeshi Match Factory and performed the flag saluting ceremony there and dispersed. During the week processions moved daily in ten places in the district with national flags, singing national songs and shouting the usual slogans. None of them had an attendance of over 125. The usual daily meetings were held at Vilte Parle except on September 9, when there was no meeting. Audiences were from 50 to 100, and consisted mostly of women and children. The chief speakers were Janakibai Bajaj, S. S. Naik, Abdulla Rahimtulla and K. M. Munshi of Bombay. The speeches all consisted of the usual requests to continue the struggle. Picketing of the Council election was also a prominent feature. In Andheri taluka small meetings were held at Andheri, Malad and Versowa. The chief speakers were Govind Keroba Date. Abdulla Rahimtulla, Gopinath Janardhan Mhatre and Motiram Harji Kaskar of Versowa. The speeches were moderate in tone. The question of picketing the Council election was the main topic of discussion. Mhatre said that students should not sacrifice their studies in this movement. Three meetings were held at Chembur, Ghatkopar taluka, on September 8, 11 and 13, with audiences of 70 to 150. The chief speakers were Shantaram Krishnanath Chemburkar, D. S. Babrekar, VakiI of Bombay and S. V. Sohoni, president of the Seva Dal, Bombay, who explained the work of the Seva Dal in Bombay and exhorted boys to jain it. On September 11, three volunteers of Chembur camp made very rabid and objectionable speeches. One of them, Mangalsen Shivnarayan Agnihotri of Gwalior, has since been prosecuted under Ordinance V and Section 117. I.P.C. A meeting was held at Laxminagar on September 13, audience 200. Hartals were observed at Andheri on September 11 and at Chembur on September 12 on account of Abdulla Rahimtulla's arrest. 867

(2) Thana, September 13.—11 meetings took place during the week and propaganda in connection with prohibition and boycott of foreign goods continue. The largest meeting was at Palghar where the audience numbered 600. Less than 250 persons were present at the other meeting . Leaders who started the movement in this district are now being released from jail. It is said that they are likely to try to stop the picketing movement. (3) Nasik, September 13.—During the week 21 meetings vere held including the following :—

Date Place Attendance Remarks 8th Sept. Nasik 1,000 Boycott of Council Election: 13th Sept. Do 400 To celebrate Jitendra Day. 5th Sept. Bhagur 900 to 1,000 Civil Disobedience Movemet. 8th Sept. Niphad 400 to 500 Disobedience of the law. 7th Sept. Yeola 3,000 Unity between Hindus and Muhammadans. 8th Sept. Do 2,000 Boycott of Councils. 7th Sept. Malegaon 400 to 500 Boycott of Councils. 13th Sept. Do 150 Hoisting of national flag o municipal office at Malegaon, boycott of Government Servants, etc. 8th Sept. Gilane 500 to 600 Boycott of tea and British goods. 9th Sept. Satana 600 Council boycott.

Generally speaking there appears to have been a slight improvement in the state of affairs during the week and since the close of the week. Certain raids were undertaken in Baglan taluka under Satana Police station for rounding up cattle grazing in the forest without passes and as a result some Rs. 800 have been collected as grazing fees in the environs of Satana, these raids were undertaken by a combined force of forest officers and Police. During the week under report no fresh arrivals of volunteers from outside the district have been received. There are still a considerable number of local volunteers moving about in the district in the villages trying to stir up trouble and encouraging the villagers not to pay grazing fees, Baglan, Kalvan, Nandgaon and Yeola talukas report most trouble of this nature. When opportunity occurs and their speeches are satisfactorily reported they are being proceeded against under Section 117, I. P. G., read with the Forest Act. There are no new names to report. Dr. Gangaram Banduji Bhutekar continues to move about in the vicinity of Nandgaon, but is decidedly careful in the matter of his speeches at meetings. Since the close of the week Pandurang Shridhar Apte, formerly headmaster of the local national school and the leader of the movement in Yeola. has been arested and on September 22 was sentenced to 6 months' imprisonment at Nasik. There still appears to be considerable support to the movement but it is mainly confined to the Baglan, Kalwan, Nandgaon and Yeola talukas. 868

There is no change to report. The Muhammadan community still remains aloof. (4) Ahmednagar, September 15.—A meeting of 500 Kolis and Thakurs at Harischandragad on September 4 is reported to have decided not to pay grazing fees, but also not to trouble the Police or Forest Officers. Shastri Buwa is reported to have moved his headquarters to a village under Patta Fort at the extreme border of the Ahmednagar and Nasik districts, and was holding a large meeting on September 2, but the report is unofficial. He is since said to have moved into Nasik district. A few volunteers are said to have come in via Ghoti. Extra Police have been posted at Ghoti to prevent this. Some of these volun teers appear to be collegians who have been canvassing votes for Rao Bahadur Ganesh Krishna Chitale. They do not dress as satyagrahis, however. The elections being over now, the position will be clearer. Villagers on this side are reported to be giving a very cold welcome to volunteers. Collection of grazing fees continues, and the District Forest Officer appears to be quite satisfied with the situation. Endeavours are being made to secure co-operation of the Nasik Police in an attempt to round up Shastri Buwa, but heavy rain on that side has prevented any operations on a large scale. (5)West Khandesh, September 13.—The Police Patil of Nimbhore and Pisawar, Taloda taluka, had refused to resign their posts, so the merchants of Taloda who had dealings with them were requested to boycott them….. (6)Ahmednagar, September 13.—There is a marked loss of interest in Sangamner and Akola talukas and practically no interest elsewhere. No meetings of any importance were held during the week. Interest In the prabhat feris is flagging. (7)Poona, September 13.—Meetings held include the following:—

Date Place Attendance Remarks Sept. 7 Tilak Mandir, 300 Formation of a Students' union. Poona City. D. G. Pandit presided, R. G. Chikkerur Said the union should carry on the movement insuch a way that they would not be subjected to prosecutions. Mrs. Satyabhamabai Kuvlekar exhorted the students to join the union and take part in the present struggle. D. G. Pandit laid stress on the awakening of villagers by the students in their leisure hours. Sept. 7 Tilak Mandir, 300 K. G. Pashankar who presided congratulated Pandit Poona City. Jawaharlal Nehru on his heroic attitude during the peace negotiations: referring to his phrase : "I love warfare." D. G. Pandit said the peace negotiations were a trick played by the bureaucracy and were meant to paralyse the movement and he appealed to the students to take up village propaganda. Haribhad Vaghire laid stress on the boycott of British goods and Said that the number of the unemployed in England must be increased by thousands...... 869

Date Place Attendance Remarks Mrs. Yeshodabai Bhat said she should carry on the movement with the help of the girl students from the Kanya Shala…………. Sept. 8 Tilak Mandir, 200 G. R. lnamdar presided. He congratulated D. G. Poona City, Pandit on his arrest and said tnat repression would encourage thern to carry on with redoubled energy. The only way of congratulating D. G. Pandit was by suspension of studies by every student...... Karnik Said that the peasantry and the labourers had joined this movement ana wanted educated youths to teach them non-violence. K. N. Phadke requested the students to fill up the places of the dictators one after the other. Mrs. Satyabhamabai Kuvlekar requested the students to come forward as dictators. Govind, a Benares student, asked the students to come forward to keep up the old reputation of Maharashtra. He also referred to the death of Ratilal Sakhalchand as being due to excessive beating and grinding....

(8) S. B. Bombay Presidency, Poona, September 24.—A public meeting was held on 22nd August 1930 in Ghoda in Poona district attended by about 300 persons when Baburao Dagdu Kale, the president, opened the same by advocating boycott of foreign cloth and goods, spinning and taking out of prabnat feris. Satyabhamabai Kuvlekar in the course of her speech said that happiness could be earned only by keeping India's money in India. G. A. Deshpande supported unity in every endeavour, and remarked that it was the right of everybody to get back swaraj. He further advised the audience not to hurt anyone's feelings he be a fellow-brother or a Government servant. He finally said that the keynote of success lay in a peaceful behaviour in all demonstrations of the movement whether it be prabhat feri or liquor-picketing or forest satyagraha. (9) Sholapur, September 22.—There was procession at Akluj (Malsiras Police Station) on September 17. There are two sects amongst the Jains at Akluj, namely Shvetambar and Digambar. The former is in favour of prabhat feris and the latter, though until recently in favour of such agitation, have of late abandoned the idea. The Rupabhavani riot case is still going on in the Special Magistrate's Court. The next date fixed for hearing is October 1. The Civil Court burning case is going on in the Sessions Court. Some youths were noticed parading and shouting slogans. They were told to stop but refused. Three were put up under the District Police Act and fined Rs. 50 or 1 month's rigorous imprisonment. One paid up and the other two are in prison. There was no noteworthy agitation during the week, no meetings, processions or hartals. (10) Satara, September 6.—The week under report shows a further drop in the number of meetings from 33 to 23 and the general tone of the speakers would appear to be somewhat milder. None of the speakers at these meetings were men of any importance. 870

The raid at Bilashi and the breaking up of shibirs at other places have produced a marked effect throughout the district. The people have now come to their senses and in many instances are paying up their forest dues. It is hoped that as they have now come to realise their stupidity and are convinced that Government are determined to suppress by firm action any spirit of lawlessness and contempt of authority. The District Superintendent of Police remarks that white caps are becoming scarcer, prabhat feris on the decrease, and the enthusiasm for the display of national flags is fast waning. Developments are however being carefully watched and raids continue to be carried out by sub-divisional officers on villages that have not yet paid up their forest dues and show signs of obstinacy. (11) Ratnagiri, September 75.—Meetings held incelude the following:—

Date Place Audience Remarks Sept. 6 Shiroda, 800 Hindus. Principal speakers, Jaywant Dattatraya Ajgaon-kar, Vengurla Anant Sakharam Nabar of Shiroda and Vithal Police station. Shnakar Dalvi. People were asked to push on the movement although their leaders Bhagwat and Pandit were arrested, and to enlist as volunteers. Sept. 11 Hadi, Malwan 350 Hindus. Principal speakers Shankar Krishnaji Gawankar, talaka. pleader of Malwan, Shripad Sadashiv Mahajan of Nerur,and Ganpat Babu Dande kar of Hadi. People were aske not to give-any help to the police who had come to the village to make investigation………. * * * (12) Ratnagiri, September 13.—There were in all 37 meetings during the week, all on account of the Ganapati festival out of which ten meet ings were of a semi-religious and social nature. Of the remainder, some were to protest against the arrest of Congress leaders and some were in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement. At almost all the meetings boycott of foreign goods and abstinence from drink, the use of khaddar and spinning were preached. Processions were held at nine places for Gandhi Day, national flag, arrest of leaders, etc. Morning rounds are being taken at Vengurla and Achara (thrice a week), and at Chiplun and Khed every day (morning and evening), and at 32 other places daily. Hartals were observed at ten places on account of the arrest of Congress leaders and the arrest of Sheth Abdulla at Andheri. (13) Kolaba, September 13.—Some activity was apparent at Panvel during the week, but elsewhere the situation remained fairly quiet, perhaps partly on account of the continuous bad weather. There were 16 small meetings of no individual importance. Audiences were small except in the case of the Panvel Satyagraha, where the attendance was nearly 3,000. 871

1705. Forest Satyagraha. West Khandesh, September 13.—At about 4-30 p.m., when the village kamgar (Tapirani Kalu, Mahar of Ashte) was sitting near the cattlepound at Ashte, three volunteers and other men assaulted him and broke open me lock of the cattlepound and with the help ot. the cattle-owners and villagers let 39 head of cattle loose, which had been impounded on August 17 by the forest men. A case has been set up in the Court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, W. D., West Khandesh. In all 17 accused have been sent up. On September 6, two accused arrested and 6 others from Harde assaulted the police Patel and the village kamgar and broke open the lock of the cattlepound and let loose 193 head of cattle impounded by the Forest Department. They have been arrested and sent up for trial. (2)Satara, September 6.—forest satyagraha was started at Bopardi village in Wai taluka, but with the arrest of the leader it has been stopped. (3)Kolaba, September 13.—At Panvel apparently volunteers have been working unobtrusively in the villages spreading forest propaganda. The ellect was apparent when on September 8, forest satyagraha took place at Kalhe, Chirner and Chavne villages. The Kalhe demonstration was on a big scale, there being nearly 3,000 participators and 1,000 to 1,500 trees being cut down. Twelve of the leaders were arrested. The release of Trimbak Narayan Bedekar from jail on September 1 is probably connected with his activity. Another satyagraha was announced for September 11, but this was cancelled at the last minute, perhaps because extra police had been drafted to Panvel to deal with the situation. 1706, Council Elections. Bombay Suburban Disirict, September 13.—The usual picketing was carried on at Chembur. On September 10, at Andheri, Santacruz and Ghatkopar, the polling stations were picketed mostly by boys and girls. Abdulla Rahimtulla was arrested in this connection at Andheri. On the previous day 111 men and 79 women volunteers were asked to be present in the Chhawani for the picketing but only 33 men and 30 women turned up. (2) Thana, September 13.—During the week at Juchandra in Bassein taluka about 100 persons made a show cutting grass in the forest. It was explained to them by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate that they were entitled to do this. No damage was done to trees.

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(3)Nasik, September 13.—There was picketing in Nasik city on the 10th instant in connection with the Council elections and all the six polling booths were picketed. Generally speaking the picketing was not of a rowdy or very objectionable nature and although it is probably it affected the voting to a certain extent, it is also probable the weather conditions also assisted at keeping people from the polls. In the district no trouble occurred over the elections. (4)Ahmednagar, September 13.—The satyaprahis, reported to be putting up at the house of pleader Garud, were bailed accused from Akola 872 side, who were undertrial in Ahmednagar, Garud was absent at Parner Taluka. This appears to have been because if present in Ahmednagar he would have had to picket the elections, or stultiiy himself. (5)Poona, September 13.—On September 10, there was picketing at most of the polling stations and during the day 16 picketers were temporarily detained under Section 53 (3), Bombay District Police Act. In the evening crowds at the Reay Market and the Native General Library made difficulties about the removal of the ballot boxes, and at the latter place had to be dispersed. A little later stones were thrown from near Shilotri Bank Building and a constable got a deep cut below the eye. At Reay Market also stones were thrown at the Police. (6)Kolaba, September 13.—There was no picketing at the elections. 1711. Hoisting of the National Flag. Ratnagiri, September 13.—At Khed on September 8, the so-called national flag was hoisted on the school against the consent of the headmaster. Similarly on September 9, a flag was hoisted on another school at Khed by the boys going in procession and assisted by the leaders of the movement. During the procession the boys attending the school left their classes and joined the procession. 1712. Swadeshi Propaganda. (1)Thana, September 13.—Picketing of fore gn cloth shops goes on in Bassein. (2)Nasik, September 13.—The City Sub-Inspector, Nasik, reports that there is now a movement on foot amongst the women to picket foreign cloth shops. The leaders of this movement arc Vidyawati, wife of Triloknath Meyor, and Parwatibai, wife of Vishwanath Gangadhar Ketkar and they go from house to house to obtain the names of women for the picketing movement. (3)Ahmednagar, September 13.—It is significant of the general situation in Ahmednagar district that cloth merchants of Sangamner have begun to sell foreign cloth in the open market. 1712-B. Ville Parle Chhawani. Bombay Suburban District, September 13.—There was no change in the number of volunteers on the roll of the Ville Parle Chhawani. The total number of volunteers of both sexes, who had given in their names and paid four annas each, is now 604. Dr. A. P. Kothari: and S. S. Naik visited the Chhawani during the week. The leaders of the Chhawani visited the Bombay Congress House daily. On September 7, Charkhas anld takli, etc., were sold in the Ville Parle Chhawani which fetched Rs. 65 The manufacturing of salt has been definitely stopped in the Chhawani. Dharmanand Kosambi, who has been appointed in Abdulla Rahimtulla's place as chief of the Chhawani visits the Chhawani every other day to supervise the work of Chhawani. The leaders and volunteers of the Chhawani have become depressed and nervous owing to the conviction of Abdulla Rahimtulla, and they are undecided as to what should be done. The heavy rains have further damped enthusiasm in the last week. 873

1713. Temperance Movement (1) Thana, September 13.—Liquor-shop picketing took place during the week at Bhayandar, Kalyan, Bassein, Navgnar and Virar. (2) Nasik September 13.—So far as the liquor-shops picketing is concerned there appears to have been a general slackening in this movement and most police stations report that the movement has stopped or partially stopped. (3) Ahmednagar, September 13.—Nominal picketing of liquor shops at Pathardi and Kopargaon continues. (4) Satara, September 6.—Picketing or liquor shops continues at Masur and Wai but not with the keenness and energy us previously exhibited. Prosecutions in this connection are freely lodged. (5) Ratnagiri, September 13.—Malwan toddy shops were picketed during the week without any eifect on sales, and liquor shops from September 7 to 10, after which it had stopped. Deogad shops were picketed till September 7, Khed shops were picketed at intervals during the week and stopped on September 9, picketing at Achara stopped on September 3.