‘Jhanda Satyagraha’: Centenary of a movement that created history
14 Aug 2023 08:11:53
By Kartik Lokhande
As the nation gears up for the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ initiative, wherein the Government has appealed to the people to hoist the national flag at their homes on August 15 and share the pictures on social media, it becomes all the more important to know about the historic movement 100 years ago fought over 128 days for the honour of the then version of national flag. That, Nagpur was the centrestage of that movement in 1923 is a matter of pride for every Indian. While the nation is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and formulating vision for the ‘Amrit Kaal’ -- 25-year period from 75th anniversary to centenary of Indian Independence -- it is time for every Indian to connect to the historic past to understand the true spirit of the struggle for freedom from the British Raj. In this context, ‘Nagpur Jhanda Satyagraha’ comes as an example of assertion of right to uphold the honour of the national flag.
After the Patel brothers -- Sardar Vallabhbhai and Vithalbhai -- took over the reins of the ‘Nagpur Jhanda Satyagraha’, Nagpur witnessed several meetings. Right from stalwarts to the ordinary citizens participated in these meetings. Patel brothers also kept talking to the British as well as members of the Central Provinces Legislative Council to secure release of the volunteers arrested during daily marches with national flag. All these developments paved way for the successful culmination of the ‘Flag Satyagraha’.
Successful culmination on Aug 18
The British Government’s contention was that the processionists should apply for permission. Congress claimed the right to proceed along any public road without ‘let or hindrance’. There were hectic meetings and negotiations between the Legislative Council, the administration, the police, and the Patel brothers. As per the Central Provinces Police Abstract of Intelligence, Sardar Patel wrote to the District Superintendent of Police, Nagpur, on August 17, 1923. The said police abstract quotes Sardar Patel’s letter as follows: “Sir, I hereby intimate to you that I propose to organise and take a procession through the city and the Civil Lines on the 18th August 1923, at the time by the routes and in the manner mentioned in the published notice, a copy of which is herewith enclosed for your information…”
After talks, certain conditions were finalised for the August 18 procession. Some of the conditions included: “Crowds to be detained at railway bridge past Council Hall up to Bansilal’s Bank. Here they can say ‘Jais’, and sing national songs (neither scurrilous nor seditious). From Bank to Secretariat corner, one man to sing national songs only. Turning to right from Secretariat corner to English Church past Commissioner’s office and Masonic Lodge. Here they say no ‘Jais’ or shouts or songs. From Church to Sadar Bazar, they can say ‘Jais’ and sing songs. At Sadar Bazar they disperse.” As per Dr Vyas’ book, on August 18, the procession passed through present-day landmarks of railway bridge, Vidhan Bhavan, Akashwani Square, General Post Office (GPO), Ravi Bhavan, Masonic Lodge, VCA ground, All Saints Cathedral, Sadar Bazar, and culminated in a meeting at Tiger Gap ground. Sardar Patel, Pt Makhanlal Chaturvedi led the procession, and stalwarts like Dr Rajendra Prasad, Shankarlal Parekh, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, Wasudeo Rao, Subhedar, Seth Punamchand, Thakur Laxman Singh, and many others participated. All the participants wore white clothes. A total of 100 persons participated in the procession that was held between 12 noon and 3 pm.
At Tiger Gap ground, the official records reveal, Sardar Patel told the gathering that he had come to Nagpur when the Working Committee put the burden of Satyagraha on his shoulders. At the end of his speech, he declared that the Nagpur Satyagraha was closed. Later on, Sarojini Naidu telegraphed to Sardar Patel, “Rejoice splendid success of Satyagraha under your leadership.” As per Gordanbhai Patel’s book, “The procession moved right royally. waving the National Flag with visible pride, through the prohibited area of Civil Station. The procession moved on without any let or hindrance, the day ended in peace and reconciliation all round. The honour of the Flag, the honour of the country, was thus fully vindicated”.
There are many figures available as to how many of the processionists were imprisoned over four month period of the ‘Jhanda Satyagraha’. The booklet ‘Nagpur Se Nagpur Tak’ published by Madangopal Agrawal in 1958, mentions, “As the prison at Nagpur was full due to daily arrests courted by Satyagrahis, new jail was opened in Akola. During the Satyagraha, total 1,848 Satyagrahis courted arrest. They included students, lawyers, traders, farmers, teachers, doctors etc. All Satyagrahis were released from prison on September 3, 1923”.
As per the Central Provinces Legislative Council proceedings, total 1,297 persons were arrested and 1,193 were convicted and sentenced or asked to furnish security.
The Controversy
A controversy had erupted whether the Patel brothers negotiated with the British Government on allowing ‘peaceful’ procession on August 18 as per agreed to norms and secured release of Satyagrahis in return. The critics of the time flayed the Congress leaders for ‘co-operating’ with the British by applying for permission for the procession on August 18. In fact, the British officials were peeved at the speech of Sardar Patel at Tiger Gap ground marking the successful culmination of the ‘Nagpur Jhanda Satyagraha’. The official records reveal that the British officials communicated among themselves expressing concern over the damage to the ‘image’ of the British rulers in the eyes of the common people and abroad, if Sardar Patel’s message gained popularity that the agitation was successful as it forced the administration to allow the procession to be taken out. Accordingly, the administration launched a ‘publicity campaign’. The Anglo-Indian papers of the time claimed victory for Government on the allegation that the Congress had applied for permission.
According to Pattabhi Sitaramaiah, the Congress rightly contended that it never did so. “This is not the only struggle in which a settlement has given rise to different comments by opponents of the national movement. Suffice it to say that the Delhi Congress offered its hearty congratulations to the organisers of the Flag Satyagraha Movement at Nagpur and the volunteers for having, by their heroic sacrifice and suffering, upheld the honour of the country by carrying the fight to a successful finish,” Sitaramaiah mentions in his book.
Timeline of ‘Jhanda Satyagraha’
The extract from Central Provinces Gazette dated September 15, 1923, published by Political and Military Department of the Central Provinces Government, lists several important dates and happenings during the movement at Nagpur in 1923. Here are some of those dates and happenings:
April 29 -- Placards in Nagpur announcing flag procession on the May 1.
May 1 -- Procession taken out, Section 144 of CrPC imposed.
May 3 and 4 -- Speeches by Seth Jamnalal Bajaj and Bhagwandin Sharma.
May 9 -- Mahadevbhai Desai’s speech.
July 7 -- AICC meeting in Nagpur, Sarojini Naidu moves resolution, Pt Nehru supports it, regarding all Congress committees supporting ‘Nagpur Flag Satyagraha’.
July 18 -- Sardar Patel’s speech at Ahmedabad referring to Nagpur Satyagraha and his impending visit.
July 22 -- Sardar Patel arrives at Nagpur, delivers speech at a meeting.
July 25 -- Vithalbhai Patel arrives at Nagpur, addresses a meeting two days later on July 27.
August 1 -- Meeting in Town Hall addressed by Patel brothers.
August 6 and 7 -- Congress Working Committee meeting at Nagpur.
August 7 -- Central Provinces Legislative Council considers a resolution for cancellation of the orders issued under Section 144of CrPC. Resolution passed with condition that if no disturbances of any kind occurred till August 17, the prohibitory orders would be withdrawn.
August 7 and 14 -- Sardar Patel speaks at meetings.
August 18 – Sardar Patel leads procession, addresses meeting at Tiger Gap ground marking the successful culmination of ‘Nagpur Jhanda Satyagraha’.
September 3 -- In accordance with the Council resolution, Satyagrahis released from prison.
‘Har bachcha hain adaa hua...’
There is an interesting and inspiring story of two children Mohan and Abhimanyu, during the ‘Jhanda Satyagraha’. Their mention is found only in Dr Nandkishor Vyas’ book. As per the account in the book, they both had come to participate in Flag Satyagraha. Bhagwandin (Sharma), a leading figure of the organisers of the daily marches, refused them permission to participate. Jamnalal Bajaj and C Rajagopalachari also asked the children, around 14 years of age, to return to their native place. However, as the children started crying, the organisers allowed them to participate.
First, Mohan participated in a procession, but the policemen beat him badly. Abhimanyu, who participated in the procession on another day, also was thrashed badly by the policemen and had to be hospitalised. However, after recovery, both wanted to again participate in the ‘Satyagraha’. But, now, leaders did not want to risk the safety of children and hence they deployed both at temporary ‘Satyagraha Ashram’ set up specially for the movement.
There, the children used to sing a song, probably self-composed:
“Nahi Rukega, nahi jhukega,
Kaumi Jhanda Kabhi nahi;
Bharat-bhu ki rashtra pataka,
jhuk sakti kya, kabhi nahi;
Veer shees battis koti par,
kaumi jhanda khada hua;
Iski raksha hetu vatan ka,
har bachcha hain ada hua...”
(The flag will never stop, never bow; Never can the national flag of Bharat lower down; Flies high the flag over 32 crore brave countrymen, for whose protection is insistent every child).