INVITATION 1st.

July, 65 Martyrdom Day of Vasant _ Rajab

Tribute
Vasant Rajab Chowk, Khand- ni -Seri, Jamalpur, Ahmedabad 1st. July,Wednesday,Time-9 A.M. From- Movement for Secular Democracy(MSD)

An Article

ON THE GRAVES OF MARTYRS THERE WILL BE FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR

A TRIBUTE TO VASANT RAJAB

A SAGA OF AMITY AND COMMUNAL HARMONY IN GUJARAT

By-Mukesh Semwal

Charles Dickens wrote in his famous novel Tale of Two Cities that it was the best of the times and worst of the time. The situation of the country in 1946 was similar to the description of Charles Dickens in Tales of two cities. Best time because India was going to be free from British colonial rule. Worst time because whole Nation was communalized due to partition of the country.

The divide and rule policy of the British rulers were spreading its tentacle throughout the country. As we all know that our freedom struggle of India was mainly religion oriented. Our freedom struggle could not dissociate itself from the religion. As a result, both Hindu Majoritism and Muslim Minoritism were confronting each other with temporary truce and amity resulting two nation theory, one Nation for Hindus another for Muslims. Veer Savarkar in the Hindu Mahasabha Conference in Ahmedabad declared for Hindu Nation in 1937 and followed by the resolution of Pakistan by Muslim league in Lahore conference in 1938 to the utter satisfaction of the British Imperialisms divide and rule policy. Appealing for communal peace and harmony, mutual respect for religions , religious tolerance were left to the task of pious persons, secular, progressive minded people like Vasant-Rajab who treaded the path of much cherished, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi from the day of Karachi Congress.Ganesh Chandra Vidyarthi died for communal harmony when riots erupted in Kanpur on 24rth. March 1931, after the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru on 23rd. March 1931 evening. Vasant- Rajabs dream was fulfilled on 1st of July, 1949 in Ahmedabad on the day of Rath Yatra where they died for the cause of communal harmony.

Now, Gujarat Carnage 2002 is known all over the world. There were many riots in the state before and after the independence. But Carnage 2002 has shaken all. At the time of the riots all wished to have souls like Vasant Rajab who can stand against communal riots and stand for communal harmony. They are remembered with respect and zeal on 1 st of July every year, in Khand - ni - Sheri of Jamalpur, Ahmedabad, where they met their martyrdom in the hand of the misguided frenzied rioters. The programme is held in dignified way, organized by Movement for Secular Democracy. Day by the 1st. July the martyrdom day of Vasant Rajab is becoming a day of festival in Ahmedabad.

It was the time of freedom struggle in the country. Vasant - Rajab were the products of the freedom movement of India. They were the dreamers of the Indian Freedom and prepared for highest sacrifice. They were inspired by the glorious tradition of highest sacrifice heralded by Chauphekar Brothers, Khudiram Bose, Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and hundreds known and unknown martyrs. Before we describe about their martyrdom these are words about their glorious lives.

VASANTRAO HEGISHTE

Vasantrao Hegishte was born on 16th May1906 in Ahmedabad in a Maharashtrian family. The year of 1906 was the year of Agni Yug in the history of freedom movement in our country. Lal- Bal- Pal were the prominent leaders of the freedom struggle. There was militant movement in Bengal against the partition of Bengal, and the supreme sacrifices of Khudiram, Praffulla Chaki and hundreds of revolutionaries, who were deported to Kalapani. Vasant Raos family came from Maharashtra but settled in Ahmedabad. When Vasant Rao was born, it was the session of Indian National Congress was held in Calcutta which was presided over by Dadabhai Navroji, where SWARAJ was the mantra of freedom struggle. Tilaks Swaraj is my birth right became a popular slogan. This Congress coincided with the movement against Partition of Bengal where Khudiram, Prafulla Chaki were hanged and inspired the youths to kiss the gallows, which was heralded by Chaufekar brothers in Maharashtra for the cause of freedom of the country. The revolutionary poet of Bengal Nazrul sang they sang the song of freedom and liberty from the gallows. It was the Agni Yug and it had its echo in Gujarat too. Lord Minto was attacked with bomb in 1911 in Ahmedabad.

The freedom movement was passing from the Swaraj to Non co-operation after Gandhji took the leadership. In 1924-25 Vasant joined Tarun Bharat. He gave utmost importance to physical exercises, a tradition of Akhadas that was created by Swami Vivekananda to keep youth fit and strong for the cause of the country. Following the foot print of Vivekananda, Vasant Hegiste made his physique strong through exercises such that he could tolerate the atrocities of British police. He too started a gymnasium to train the youths and it was well known gymnasium. He trained strong volunteers. He was fondly addressed by all as Dada

The volunteers trained by Vasant were in charge of Aslali camp of famous Dandi March, where Gandhiji camped his first halt at the outskirt of present Ahmedabad on March 12th.

He too joined Salt March in Dharasana and Dholera.He was given a warm send off to Dharasana Salt March where Sarojini Naidu, Abbas Tayabji took part. He was victim of lath charge. His elder sister Hemalata put the tilak over his head when he departd for the Salt March. He would say when he witnessed other were beaten blue and black he was shaken but when it came to his term took he enjoyed it and was proud of it.When there was brutal lath charge on others he would try take their lathi blow to himself to save them.

The Karachi Congress was going to be held. He went to Karachi by Cycle. From Porbandar he sailed by steamer to Karachi

During Karachi Congress the news came that Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was killed in a bid for communal harmony in Kanpur. This incident had a deep impact in his life.Ganesh Shankar became an icon of communal harmony for Vasant Hegiste, who had seen enough riots in Ahmedabad. Later in his life when he was in jail during the riot in 1941 in Ahmedabad, he lamented that there was no Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi in Ahmedabad.

Possibly Rajab Ali met Vasant Rao in Karachi. Rajab Ali was only 12 years old. The Karachi Congress was held when Bhagat Singh, Suhkdev and Rajguru were hanged and the whole atmoshphere was charged with revolutionary spirit of sacrifice. The thought of Bhagat Singh on socialism and communism was blowing and inspiring the students and youths. During the Karachi Congress Netaji Subhas Chndra Bose held one special youth session paying tribute to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Possibly all these historic moments left their imprint on the mind of Vasant and Rajab like youths.

Education can wait but not Swaraj was the call of the 1921 Non Co-Operation movement in the country. Responding to the call, Vasant Rao at the age of 15 left school and joined

Gujarat Vidyapeeth which was started by Gandhiji. Gujarat Vidyapeeth was tempered in the spirit of patriotism and social service, which became the credo in his life.

He joined in Dandi March up to Aslali (outskirt of Ahmedabad) with Gandhiji & was active participant in Salt Satyagrah in 1930 and was jailed. There after he joined Sevadal. He took active participation in 1932, 1940 and 1942 movements for Freedom. As he considered himself wedded to the country and society, he decided not to marry. He never lagged behind in joining the struggle for freedom. As a youth, he was a disciplined volunteer ready for the utmost sacrifice. His youthful zest, cheerfulness, readiness to act was always a source of inspiration to all. He started night school in Kocharab area of Ahmedabad with Nirubhai Desai, later became a renowned socialist. On the path of freedom, he came across lot of self sacrificing personalities prepared to do any thing and every thing for the cause of not only freedom but also for the upliftment of the downtrodden people and release social- cultural movement in the society. The family of Vasantrao Hegiste was too wedded to the cause of freedom movement. He was arrested on 26th January 1932, the pledge day of Swaraj.He refused parole to meet her dying grand mother. Though he was known for his robust physique and talent for gymnasium but his thirst for progressive literature was no less. After Haripura Congress SevalDal was made more active and the responsibility for Ahmedabad was bestowed to Vasant Haggises. Though, SevaDal was functioning from 1926. Vasant did not believe in underground activities during the freedom struggle and was arrested in 1941 and remained in jail till 1945. He had many Muslim friends.

RAJAB ALI LAKHANI Rajabali Lakhani was born in 1919, July 27 in the year of Jalliwanwal baug massacre in Karachi in a Gujarati Khoja family belonging to Limbadi of present Surendranagar district of Gujarat. He passed his matriculation in 1936. He was attracted toward the stream of freedom movement in Karachi. He met Babubhai Mehta in an exhibition in Karachi which changed

his course of his life. Babubhai Mehta was one of the youths of the country who was wedded to Swaraj of the country and was ready give up studies, comfort of life. He left his Medical studies and joined Gujarat Vidyapeeth which was the icon of Swaraj established by Gandhiji. Vasant too joined Gujarat Vidyapith. Rajab was in constant touch with Babubhai through correspondent. Day by day Rajab was getting more involved in the freedom movement and parents were worried and moved to Limbadi. Rajab joined Shamaldas College, in Bhavnagar, where Zaverchand Meghani studied. He was very popular among the students and lecturers. The Principal was so impressed by him that he introduced him to Sardar Vallavbhai Patel in his visit to the college. In the college, he formed a Democratic group with the students. He was already imbibed by the ideal of Marxism. He drew hammer and shickle in his hostel room which attracted many students. There was an audience ready to listen to him. He was taking classes on various subjects. He adhered to progressive views and was known as Marxist in the SevaDal and Congress circle. During his studies in Bhavnagar he along with the student went to Rajkot to join the struggle against the King. The movement was undertaken by Gandhiji. The atrocities on the people in the princely states were very barbaric. The people of Limbadi, had to migrant in thousands, which called the Limbadi Hizarat all over the country. This Hizrat got country wide attention and leaders like Nehruand many others joined with the people in Limbadi Hizarat against the King. Rajab was not silent. Limbadi was his ancestral home. He joined the movement .He moved village to village. Went to Dholka where the the people migrated. This brought him direct contact with the people of the villages and learnt many things and felt the necessity for the enlightment and upliftment of the villagers. Giving up his comfortable life, he joined Tolstoy Farm as an apprentice which was started by Ratubhai Adani, one of the eminent freedom fighters of the state where manual works of the lowest level was practiced. Ratubhai Adani had high opinion about him. In the course of the high tide of freedom movement Rajabali have up his B.A. studies and joined the Satyagrah movement in 1940. However, he refused to appear at the examination because he was convinced that mere degree in life was of no use and that may lead to service under the British, which was not palatable to the independent minded youth like Rajab Ali. He joined the Rajkot Satyagrah led by Gandhiji and did not appear his B.A. examination He was imprisoned in 1941 and sent to Sabarmati Jail and then to Yervada. Inside the jail following the foot print of Bhagat Singh and other revolutionaries he and along with others started jail reform movement and was black listed as most dangerous with other five jailmates and transferred to Dhulia Jail. In 1942 August he was re-arrested and released after one year but was arrested again. Though belonged to Khoja community of Muslim religion but as he was growing he was more attracted towards social reforms and as a result he was often in conflict with his father and their religious priest. He wanted to be known as a Man and not by any religion or caste.

In later years, he was shocked to observe that the top leaders of Congress and freedom fighters were not free from conservatism. The Day of Martyrdom 1st. July

1st July1946 was the day of Rath Yatra. The whole town was in the grip of communal tension. Rumours were spreading like wild fire. One washing company was set on fire near Bala Hanuman of Ahmedabad. Hearing it both Vasantrao and Rajabali rushed to the spot to calm down the crowd. Immense courage and confidence of the person like Vasant and Rajab can do it. Since the Karachi Congress the spirit of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was haunting them. Today was the day to become true successor of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. While dousing the flame of the communal fire they invited the wrath of the frenzied mob who determined to kill Muslims. Then Rajab Ali came forward before the mob and asked them to kill him. The mob got demoralized and scattered. It is the account of his friend who was present during the whole holocaust. In another incident at Richie Road, now Gandhi Road, a Muslim driver was attacked and Rajab Ali reached there, appealed the good sense of the mob and saved the driver. Both Vasantrao and Rajabali moved around the riot stricken area and tried their best to calm down the communal passion taking risk. The Seva Dal was working round the clock. All the volunteers were engaged for communal harmony. In the evening the news came that the Harijans are attacked by the Muslims.

As per the account of the friend, the college mate and hostel mate of Rajabali, Bhanubhai, Loot fire killing went spree every where in the city. Washing Company belonged to a Muslim community. The mob asked them to go back. They declared that they wont spare any Muslim. Rajab Ali came forward and declared himself as Muslim and dared to ask them to kill him. The mob felt ashamed and left the place.

The Second incident happened in Richie Road, now it is Gandhi Road. A Muslim Driver was surrounded. They saved the driver.

The Siva Dal was working round the cloack.The Seva Dal volunteers were ready to reach the disturbed area. The news of attack on Dhudhabhai and the houses of other Harijans in Jamalpur area were received in Sevadal Office, Congress Bhavan. Duhdhabhai was a member of Harijan Sevak Sangha committee which was formed under the inspiration of Anusuyaben Sarabhai. As soon as the news reached both Vasant and Rajab reached the spot without any availing any conveyance though advised by fellow co-workers to wait for the conveyance. It was raining heavily. Both of them did not want to miss a moment and walked down on foot. They were in hurry. They were accompanied by two other volunteers, Popatlal Soni and Dwarkadas Patel. These two survived to tell their heroic effort to diffuse the communal passion of the mob. As they proceeded towards Khand ni Sheri they were encountered by the frenzied crowd. They appealed for the peace but it yielded no result. Vasantrao appealed the mob. He said that they have come for communal peace. If your thirst is quenched by killing them, they could do it. But they declared firmly that they we would not allow the mob to proceed to commit the heinous act of riots. Telling this, Vasant, Rajab and Popatlal slept on the road to block the wild move of the crowd. Though the crowd hesitated for a while but lynched them. In the meanwhile Dwarkadas was hit and became unconscious. When he regained sense he found Vasant, Rajab and Popatlal were in pool of blood. The mob left thinking all of them as dead. Their courageous act moved many and many deserted the mob. Of course their martyrdom saved the Dalit family and the Basti (locality). Their sacrifice could finally put off the flame of communal fire. It was evening. The police came and dumped them as dead. Later it was found that Popatlal and Dwarkadas were alive Vasantrao was cremated at in Dhudheswar burning ghat whereas Rajab Ali was cremated at Gomatipur Kabrastan. Lamented the sister of Vasantrao Hegishte, Hemalata Hegishte that both Vasant and Rajab lived together, breathed together and died together for a noble cause but death separated them. But they will never be separated. The spirit of both Vasant -Rajab will remain with us. When they died Vasantrao Hegiste was 40 years and Rajabali 27 years. Even the nature wept on the day of their martyrdom. It was raining heavily.

A befitting tribute was paid soon after their death. A Vasant-Rajab Smarak Grantha was published in the same year edited by no less a person than National poet Jhaverchand Meghani, the revolutionary poet of Gujarat on date 17-12 - 1946. The initiative in this direction was taken by Jayanti Dalal, one of the progressive writers and socialist leaders of Gujarat. In this Memorial volume, rich tributes were paid by Dadasaheb Ganesh Mavalankar, Ratilal Adani (Rajab's associate), Manubhai Pancholi, Vasant - Rajab's jailmates, co- workers, friends, and family members and many others.Now every year on 1st. of July Movement for Secular Democracy under the leadership of eminent citizen of Gujarat Shri Prakashbhai Shah Vasant Rajab Day is celebrated like a festival. A memorial has been erected by the Municipality as a mark of honor where every body join to pay tribute to them. It is known as Vasant- Rajab Chowk.People of the locality has

named their apartment as Vasant- Rajab villa.Shri Prakash bhai Shah has brought out a booklet evaluating Vasant- Rajab on their 60th Martyrdom day . Now Vasant- Rajab is becoming the icon of communal harmony in Gujarat. 1ST. OF JULY BECOME THE DAY OF PEOPLE'S FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR

As Shaheed Bhagat Singh said: HAWA ME RAHEGI MERE KHAYALO KI BIJLEE