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Quit India Movement in old Patna division



Quit India Movement in old Patna division Dr. Harinarayan Singh B.L., M.A (History), Ph.D. Reader Department of History A.S. College Bikramgañj Rohtās Madhav Prakashan

4 Quit India Movement in old Patna division First Edition-1992 ©Dr. Harinarayan Singh Prise : Rs. 225 Published by Madhav Prakashan Varanasi Printed by Ratna Press Kamchha, Varanasi

Bibliography & Appendices 5 DEDICATED TO MY PARENTS

6 Quit India Movement in old Patna division

CONTENTS Introduction 13 17 Chapter One: 48 The Background 86 Chapter Two : 113 The Origin and Progress of the 139 Movement 153 Chapter Three : Role of Political Parties and pressure groups in the Movement Chapter Four : Government Policy towards the movement Chapter Five : Impact of the Movement Chapter Six : Conclusion Bibilography & Appendices 162

8 Quit India Movement in old Patna division

Editer The people of Bihar played an important part in this movment. Ptana, Gaya and Shahabad districts of Bihar were nerve centers of people’s opposition ti the British rule. In this pemetrating study Dr.singh has used as his major source the Home Political and confidential records of the Government of India wich are not available to Scholars until recently. This use of previously confidential material enables him to throw much new light an ‘Quit India Movement’ in Bihar with special refrence to old Patnā, Gaya and Shahabad districts’ but what make this study different from those already published is that it examines, at first hand, the reaction of various classes, communities, political parties, News papers (National and International) and pressure groups to the Movement and characterises it to be a referendum in favour of the Congress demand for immediate Independence. But the Government deliberately ignored the sentiments of the people and crushed the Movment by a policy of ruthless suppression. Not with standing this paralytic strok the yeoring for freedom grew discontent and bitterness against foreign administration increased and adove all, faith in congress and its leadership in Bihār also remained in tact. The state remained more determined than ever to ‘do and die’ in the cause of India’ s freedom. There never was a period in the last century when the feeling against Britain was so bitter as it was now. Time and truth are healers. ❖

10 Quit India Movement in old Patna division

Acknowledgement I acknowledged with thanks the help and co- operation received from various persons and institution for the compiletion of this book. In particular I specially thankful to Sri R.N. Singh, Professor M.P. Sinha the Principal, A.S. College Bikramganj for his interests and encouragement. I am also thankful to my colleagues in the College. I must express my ddep gratitude to Dr.Uma Shankar singh, Dr.Bharosā Prasād Singh, University Professor, Department of History, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya for their encouragement to complete the Book. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not thank Professor S.N Mishra of I.I.P.A. New Delhi, Sri P.K. Shukla and Dr. B.K. Pandey of I.C.H.R.New Delhi for providing me valuable suggestion to write this book. My thank also go to Dr.P.N.Singh And Dr.K.N.Singh, Department of History, Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasī for their valuable suggestion and help. I am must thankful Tomy elder brothers my wife Mrs.T.Singh and my sons master Navin, Pravin and Sachin for making me confortable while in compiliting this book. Suggestions for the improvement of this book in the next adition will be greatfully accepted. My heart-felt gratitude goes to the eminent and distinguished truth-seekers who have enlightened all those who wish to investigate the meaning of life. Their all embracing expanse of studies, all over the mysteries of the inexplicable creation have opened a bright avenue to me. Lastly, my head bows down in gratitude and reverence before Sri R.N. Singh, the principal, A.S. College Bikramganj and Dr.K.N.Singh, Department of History, Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, who extended their full support

12 Quit India Movement in old Patna division and bestowed upon me healthy inspiration. Again, I cannot forget the perenninal lnspiration shown to me by my respected father. I whould like to give my thanks to my friends who stood by me through thick and thin. North Askamini Nagar Dr. Harinarayan Singh Dehari Road B.L., M.A (History), Ph.D. Bikramganj (Rohtas) Reader Department of History A.S. College Bikramganj Rohtas ❖

Introduction India achieved independence on 15th August 1947 after a grest many trials and tribulstions. The country passed through different phases in the process of attaining freedom from British rule. The quit India movement in Bihar with special reference to Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts was crucial aspect of our freedom movement. The emergence of Indian nationslism as potent political force in the twentieth century exercised a profound political influence on the people of Bihar. The Historic Quit India Movement was inaugurated on 8th August 1942 under the dynamic ieadership of Mahatma Gandhi for schieving the goal of immediate independence. Bihār was bound to be affected by this grest movement in a definite way. Bihar had played an important role in the indepemdence movement right from the great revolt of 1857 to civil disobedience movement during 1930-34. The people of Bihar had given a good account of themselves during the various phases of freedom movement. Quit India Movement was an event of for reaching conse quences. It was the last grest struggle for freedom of india. It had engulfed the whole of india. Bihar was deeply affected by it. It had its impact on almost all the districts of Bihar including Patna. Gaya and Shahabad. The people of these three districts of Bihar actively participated in the movement and contributed a lat to make it a success. The opposition to British supremacy in Bihar had started right after the battle of plassey in 1757. Bihar had played a decisive role in the Indian revolt of 1857. The people of Shahabad, Patna and Gaya had showed extra ordinary courage during the period of the revolt of 1857. Bihar had participated and contributed in the all India Congress sessions held at different places right from the

14 Quit India Movement in old Patna division year 1857 when it was founded. Bihar had also its fair share in the activities af the different socio political organizations Bihar was made a separate province in the year 1912. Since then it always remained in the forefront of the freedom struggle right up to the out-break of the second world war. Champaran Satyagrah of 1947. Non-co-operation movement of 1940-41 were the landmark developments in which the people of bihar had actively participated. All these movements had greatly affected the people of Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts. After the failure of the cripps mission the Congress was determined to achieve immediate independence for the country. With this aim in view, the congress adopted and passed the famous quit India resolution on August 8th, 1942 at Bombay. With the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi and working committee members of the congress on August 9th 1942 the movement gained momentum. Bihar was immediately affected by the movement and wide spread unrest and opposition to British rule was witnessed throughout the province. Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts of Bihar were the nerve-centers of the movement in the province. The people of these districts took a very active and decisive part in the Movement. Many of them had to suffer a lot during the Movement for their Anti-British activities. Congressmen, students, members of the forward bloc and Congress socialist party and other revolutionaries troups were quite active in patan, gaya and Shahabad districts to achieve the goal of independence. The main purpose of the present study is to focus upon the developments in Bihar with special reference to Patna Gaya and Shahabad districts during the quit India movement of 1942-43. In attempt has been made in the present study to mark the progress of the movement in Bihar with special reference to Patna, Gaya and Shahabad

Bibliography & Appendices 15 districts. The role of political parties and pressure groups and impact of the movement has also been assessed. Government policy towards the movement in Bihar with special reference to Patna, Gaya and Shahabad has been analysed. The role of the people of Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts of Bihar in the quit India movement has not been so far been adequately assessed. Of late, the availaibility of important source materials has made this task easier than what it was some decades ago. The purpose of this study is therefore, to examine in detail various important aspects of the quit india movement with particular reference to Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts. The present work consists of Six chapters. The first chapter serves as a background to the developments leading to the Quit India Movement. The second chapter is concerned with the origin and progress of the movement in Bihar with special referece to Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts. The third chapter discusses the role of political parties and pressure groups in the movement. The fourth chapter deals with the government policy towards the movement the fifth chapter analyses the impact of the movement in Patna, Gaya and Shahabad districts of Bihar. The Sixth chapter is concerned with the concluding observations. The sources consulted for the study are official documents and reports including proceedings of the home political department of the government of india and Bihar, private papers, Indian National Congress party records, newspapers (national as well as provincial ) other official documents available at state archives, Patna and national archives New Delhi and relevant secondary sources including books and journals dealing with national movement in general and Quit India Movement in particular.

16 Quit India Movement in old Patna division I am aware of the possible objections which may be raised against the subject of my study which has already attracted the attention of numerous historians and critics. In my defence, I only venture to submit that the study has been undertaken with the conviction that there is still room for further investigation and research in this area. In saying so, I do not, in the least, wish to minimize the contributions already made by scholars in the field. On the contrary, I am deeply indebted to them and have acknowledged this throughout the study. ❖

Bibliography & Appendices 17 Chapter One The Background Growth of nationalism in India forms a brilliant chapter of Indian history. The national awakening in india has been the greatest single development in the first half of the twentieth century, although it had its germination in the last quarter of the naineteenth century. As a matter of the end of the British empire in India. The growth of nationalism in India was the result of interaction and intermingling of various factors-social, religious, cultural, political, economic, of the western and eastern and foreign and indigenous. Indian nationalism had both the elements of response and challenge. It was a challenge to British domination of India and it was response in so far as india derived her inspiration from western learning and liberalism. The alien rule was basically responsible for the growth of nationalism in India. In a sense, political awakening in India was a natural reaction against the aggressive British imperialism and oppressive British rule. By the conquest of India British imperialism established its political hegemony over the Indian people. The major indications of this new situation were, in the political sphere, the absolute sovereignty of British parliament with its bureaucratic adjunct in the form of the Government of India, and in the economic sphere, the utter destitution of the Indian people as a consequence of prolonged economic exploitation. This situation generated an irreconciliable conflict between British imperialism and the Indian people.1 The transfer of the company’s territories to the crown in 1.H.Pol.F.N. 7/16/37 Poli.P.2.

18 Quit India Movement in old Patna division 1885 brought about no fundamental change in the relations between india and Great Britain. It merely served to strengthen the imperialist hold over India. The penetration of British Capital into india on an extensive scale brought about a more systematic and relentless subjugation of Indian interests to those of British Industrial and finance capital2. The tariff policy, the currency and exchange policy, the development of railways and other means of transport, taxation, public expenditure and debt and all other economic activities of the government of india were openly dictated by British interests. In addition to this an extremely expensive and top heavy system of administration ate into the vitals of the economic resources of the country. In order to ensure the continuity of the imperialistic policy, the Great Britain maintained in india, a highly bureaucratic and authoritarian system of government, which being completely independent of the will of the people. Carried out with remarkable thoroughness the dictates of the British ruling class; Control over the finance being the essence of sovereignty; financial powers had been completely monopolised by the British Parliament and its bureaucratic agents in India including Bihar. The secretary of state for India always exercised a strict control over Indian finance and in all financial matters, the viceroy and the Governors were granted the power of over-riding the decisions of the legislatures, Indian public revenues were collected and spent in a way as to subject the people to excessive taxation for meeting an enormous expenditure on the Indian army and the maintenance of law and order in the province. The central Government, throughout monopolized 2.H.Pol.F.N. 7/16/37 Poli.P.2.

Bibliography & Appendices 19 the most profitable sources of revenue, leaving many provinces in a state of chronic defic it3. The nature and extent of economic exploitation by the British influenced the growth of national movement in India including Bihar. With the establishment of the Indian national Congress in 1885, struggle ensued between British imperialism and the Indian people. The central point of this struggle had been the question of sovereignty. On the one hand, an evergrowing conscious mass of the people, economically crushed, were continuously striving to bring about a radical improvement in their living conditions by altering the existing political relationship. On the other hand, British imperialism and its Indian supporters were continuously exerting themselves to suppress these endeavours and to maintain the politicoeconomic status quo4. Some Historians erroneously characterise the Indian struggle for freedom as being essentially economic or essentially political, or even as essentially moral or religious. This is a fallacy. The truth is that the connection between economics, politics and forms of thought in society is organic and is a sociological generalisation. This struggle for freedom must therefore be accepted as an organic politicoeconomic Historical process. An examination of the History of the Congress reveals that the positive deprivation of popular liberties commenced as early as the beginning of the nineteenth century. But by the beginning of the twentieth century the Congress had become definitely a political eyesore for officialdom and British statesmen stated that Congress “unfairly claimed to represent the Indian people” and was “no longer entitled to claim to be national”. Government 3.H.Pol.F.N. 7/16/37 Poli.P.2.48 4.Cong Pol.& Eco. Studies no. 5 1937 p. 1.

20 Quit India Movement in old Patna division officials were there after prohibited from participating in Congress activities5. Then began the promulgation of repressive measures6 directed against the political democratic movement. Students were prohibited from participating in political meetings and demonstrations. Deportations became a method of repressing democratic sentiments and became a frequent occurrence7. The continuation of the struggle for independence indicated that the grievances of the people had not been redressed. The constant pressure of the people during the pre-war and war period certainly brought about the mantague chelmford reforms of 1919. But this elaborate document did not, to any marked degree change the plight of the people. India remained economically bacwarrd. The attitude of the Government in regard to civil and political liberties also worsened during the next Sixteen years. Even the Government of india act, 1935 did not deliver up any portion of sovereignty to the Indian people. This is borne out by the series of Round table conferences, that took place not between the accredited representatives of the Indian people and the British Parliament, but between the latter and the Indian nominees of the British Government in India. Although the Congress participated in the Second Round Table Conference, the attempt at co-operation proved abortive and the final decisions were taken independent of the congress attitude. The political structure of Government remained completely autocratic throughout. The viceroy exercised unlimited executive and legislative powers and was not responsible to any section of the Indian people. Sovereignty lay nowhere among the people but with the 5.Cong pol.& eco. Studies no. 5 1937 p. 1. 6.Ibid. 7.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 21 rulers of an alien country. This was nothing but a reflection of the prime fact that india was to continue as a colony of Great Britain. Although henceforth india was formally designated a “federation” with “Autonomous” provinces and the Indian states as constituents thereof, there can be no justification to suppose that India had anywhere approached the status of a democratically governed country8. The struggle between British imperialism and the people of India seemed irreconcilable. The National Congress stood committed to this and worked to this end. But as British rule in India existed not only for political domination but also for economic exploitation it meant that political freedom was primarily an economic necessity for Indians. The problem of giving bread to starving millions of India, the problem of clothing and educating them, the problem of improving the health and physique of the nation, all these problems could not be solved so long as india remained in bondage. To think of economic improvement and industrial development before the horse. The only solution of this deadlock lay in the attainment of india’s freedom9. When 2nd world war broke out in sept. 1939 lord Linlithgow, who was then the viceroy of india, declared India a party to the war. In an announcement on 17th October, 1939 the viceroy invited all the political parties to nominate presons from whom to select his advisers. Mr. montague especially came to India to negotiate with Indian leaders. The Congress working committee at Wardha discussed for five days the war situation and finally expressed the dissatisfactisfaction with the proceedings of the British Government declaring India a belligerent 8.H.POL.F.N. 7/6/37 P.6. 9.Ibid.,page 95.

22 Quit India Movement in old Patna division country, promulgating war ordinances and amending the Government of India act in a manner circumscribing the power of the provincial Governments. The Congress was offended at this further demonstration of india’s dependent status despite its general opposition to fascism. As a consequence it ordered the provincial ministers to resign in October in protest, thus leaving the way open for the growth of the muslim league during the war years. The Congress offer to support England’s war efforts was conditional in the sense that it demanded (1) declaration by Great Britain in favour of Indias right of self determination and (ii) immediate application to the declaration to the largest possible extent. To resolve the political crisis the viceroy of india made a proposal on 8th August, 1940 which is popularly known as the “August offer”. It included the following points : (i) to grant dominion status to india. (ii) to invite a number of representative Indians to join the executive council. (iii) to establish a war advisory council composed of the representatives of Indian states and of other interests in the national life of india as a whole. (iv) to safeguard the position of the minorities. (v) to set up after the conclusion of war with the least possible delay of a body representative of the principal elements in India’s national life in order to devise the framework of the new constitution. The proposal fell too short of what the Congress demanded, no time limit was prescribed for the grant of dominion status after the war. It was not made clear whether, the body representative of the principal elements in India’s national life was to be full–fledged constituent assembly or simply another round table conference. The

Bibliography & Appendices 23 promise to give full weight to the views of the minorities was in a way an acceptance of the league’s demand that no political progress in India could be made without the consent of that party. The muslim league could find reasons to reject the offer10. The August offer thus failed to satisfy the aspirations of the Indian people. Even leaders like C.Rajgopalachari and Jawahar lal Nehru, who were in favour of an active help to the British in their war efforts turned against them. The Congress authorised Gandhiji to start civil disobedience again. In view, however, of the critical war situation, instead of launching once again a mass civil disobedience movement, Gandhiji adopted a navel practice of agitation which was called individual civil disobedience or Satyagraha because Gandhiji gave the right to individuals chosen by him for their character, for public preaching against war and courting imprisonment. It was also called quality Satyagraha because chosen man and women with certain definite qualifications alone ware eligible to offer this Satyagraha. In fact the individual Sayagraha of the Congress was a demand for civil liberty, demand for the fullest freedom to pursue its policy, a token of the yearning of a political organisation to achieve the freedom of 350 million people. The Satyagrahis recited in public a set formula of words as an antiwar slogan. This slogan was : “it is wrong to help the British efforts with men and money. The only worthy effort is to resist all war with non violent resistence11”. The chapter was opened by Vinoba Bhave, a comparatively obscure intimate of Gandhiji’s Ashram at Sewagram. He addressed a small village audience near 10.Appen.I, August offer T.P. vol.I 1942 – 47, p.871 -79. 11.Ibid.

24 Quit India Movement in old Patna division Wardha on October 17th but was not immediately arrested. His first speech and others that he made on succeeding days, were examined by the provincial Government and sent to the Government of India with their opinion that they offended the law12. Binoba Bhave was finally arrested and prosecuted on October 21st and sentenced to three months simple imprisonment13. Meanwhile, the arrest of Vinoba Bhave had made it necessary for Gandhiji to nominate a successor. His choice fell on Jawahar Lal Nehru, who, since the beginning of October had been making a series of inflamatoty speeches in certain agragarian troubled areas of U.P.. But in the meanwhile he was also arrested, prosecuted and convicted for the speeches delivered by him in U.P. After the arrest of some of the Satyagrahis, Gandhiji intended to stage a fast but great pressure was brought to bear on him to refrain from this course. On nov. 11, Gandhiji communicated to the private secretary to his Excellency the viceroy, his new plan. This consisted in extending civil disobedience to qualified persons selected from particular groups–the first group being composed of (i) members of the congress working committee of the all india Congress and of the (ii) members of Legislatures with (iii) a few others14. The first group which consisted of members of the Congress working committee of all India Congress and of the legislature, contained twelve hundred persons. Starting about the middle of November, they were given time until the end of the year to complete the “offering” of Satyagraha. By that time, however, under seven hundred were in jail. 12.H.POL. 3/6/42 (POL.1) Pars 2. 13.Ibid. Para 17. 14.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 25 These included nearly all the big leaders except the Congress president Abul Kalam Azad and Rajendra Prasad. Azad was arrested and sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment on Jan 3rd, 1941. Rajendra Prasad and Kripalani were apparently given permanent exemption by Gandhiji himself. Comparatively little excitement was caused by these arrests. The areas mainly affected were U.P. Bombay, Madras C.P. and Bihar. From nov.11th to nov, 20th, the Congress members attended the session of the central assembly to oppose the supplementary finance bill to meet war expenditure and took the opportunity to denounce it in language that was certainly net non-violent, to air their views regarding the war and encourage the civil disobedience movement. By the end of the year 1940, the first stage of the movement ended with a chistmas truce proclaimed by Gandhiji ostensibly in order to allow officials to enjoy their holidays, but probably also to give himself time to review the position. On chistmas eve he attempted to send a sensational open letter to Hitler and even went so far as to ask his excellency the viceroy to give it a favourable wind. While making skilful use of the chistmas spirit and an appeal to the superiority of non-violence as a practical Philosophy of life, Gandhiji no doubt hoped to secure by this letter world wide publicity for his own movement and the Congress attitude towards the war. The letter was suppressed. But the statement made by the Gandhiji appeared here and there in pamphlet form but these achieved no great circulation and the full text never became known to the public. The second stage of the movement began on January 5th 1941. Satyagra his during this period were selected by Gandhiji from amongst office-bearers and members of

26 Quit India Movement in old Patna division provincial district and tehsil Congress committes and Congress representatives of local bodies15. Bihar was one of the most affected province during the course of this Satyagraha. Independence day was celebrated on January 26th 1941 without interference but with no great enthusiasm in spite of the fact that a special addition was made to the Congress pledge to cover the Satyagraha movement. It is also worth noting here that temporary suspension of the movement took place at various times in various provinces owing to communal disturbances or other reasons16”. The third stage of the movement began early in the April 1941 and continued until the movement itself came to a virtual end with release of prisoners in December 1941. It now became open to four anna members of the congress, and indeed, others who shared the Congress view to court imprisonment. Gandhiji’s approval was still a formal necessity in each case. Shortly after the opening of the third stage the movement reached its peak with a total of nearly fourteen thousand Satyagrahis in Jail on may 1st, 1941. Thereafter a steadly decline set in, which soon became almost a debacle. Meanwhile at the end of july 1941 the Governor General’s executive council was expanded by the addition of six now Indian members. Shortly after wards, the home department decided that it would be desirable to sound provincial Governments on the question of releasing Satyagrahi prisoners in view of the general stagnation of the movement17. Accordingly by the end of December 1941 the large majority of these prisoners were released. 15.H.POL. 3/6/42 (POL.1) Pars 2. 16.Ibid. 17.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 27 When the central legislature Assembly met early in February 1942. The Home member was able to assure the House that the policy of releasing prisoners had been completely carrird out. Gandhiji at first talked of the release as a challenge and abvocated courting of further arrests but the meeting of the Congress working committee at Bardoli between December23-30th resulted, after much discussion, in Gandhiji being relieved of the responsibility laid upon him by the Bombay resolution of September 1940 this decision was confirmed by the all india Congress committee at Wardha on jan. 16th, 1942. Thus the individual Satyagraha was ultimately withdrawn. Although this movement fizzled out, it increased political feeling and opposition to government at a critical period and prepared the way for the flood of political defeatism which overran the country when Japanese success brought the war closer to India in the early months of 1942. Keeping in view the fast deteriorating war situation especially in the East during the early months of January and February 1942, the British Government deputed sir Stafford cripps to visit India on march 22nd . 1942 in order to negotiate with important leaders of India and enlist their co-operation in the war efforts. The proposals sir Stafford cripps put forward of behalf of the british cabinet were as follows18: (a).Immediately upon the cessation of hostilities steps shall be taken to set up in India, in the manner described hereafter, an elected body charged with the task of framing a new constitution for India. (b).Provision shall be made, as set out below, for the participation of the Indian states with constitution making body. 18 .Lord privy Seal Mission Command Paper No.6350/42,P.4-5.

28 Quit India Movement in old Patna division (c).His majesty’s Government undertakes to accept and implement forthwith the constitution so framed subject only to: (i).The right of any province of British India which is not prepared to accept the new constitution to retain Its present constitutional position provision being made for its subsequent accession if it so decides. With such non acceding provinces, should they so desire, his majesty’s Government will be prepared to agree upon a now constitution, giving them the same full status as Indian union, and arrived at by a procedure analogous to that here laid wown. (ii).The signing of Treaty which shall be negotiated between his majesty’s Government and the constitution making body. This treaty will cover all necessary matters arising out of the complete transfer of responsibility from British to Indian hands; it will make provision, in accordance with the undertaking given by his majesty’s Government for the protection of racial and religious minorities; but will not impose any restriction on the power of the Indian union to decide in future its relationship to the other member states of the British commonwealth. Whether or not an Indian state elects to adhere to the constitution, it will be necessary to negotiate a revision of its treaty arrangements, so far as this may be required in the new situation. (d).The constitution making body shall be composed as follows unless the leaders of Indian opinion in the principal committees agree upon some other form before the end of hostilities19. 19.Lord privy Seal Mission Command Paper No.6350/42, p.4-5.Para 45.

Bibliography & Appendices 29 Immediately upon the result being known of the provincial elections which will be necessary at the end of hostilities, the entire membership of the lower house of the provincial legislature shall as a single electoral college, proceed to the election of the constitution making body by the system of proportional representation. This new body shall be in number about noe–tenth of the number of the electoral college.20 Indian states shall be invited to appoint representatives in the same proportion to their total population as in case of the representatives of British India as a whole, and with the same powers as the British India as a whole, and with the same powers as the British Indian members. (e) During the critical period which now faces India and until the now constitution can be framed, his Majesty’s Government must inevitably bear the responsibility for and retain control and direction of the defence of India as part of their world war efforts but the task of organising to the full the military maral and material resources of India with the co-operation of the peoples of India. His Majesty Government desire and invite the immediate and effective participation of the leaders of the principal sections of the Indian people in the counsels of their country, of the commonwealth and of the United Nations. Thus they will be enabled to give their active and constructive help in the discharge of a task which is vital and essential for the future freedom of India21. On 2 April 1942 Azad and Nehru called on sir Stafford cripps and handed over a resolution of Congress 20.Lord privy Seal Mission Command Paper No.6350/42, p.4-5.para 45. 21.Ibid.

30 Quit India Movement in old Patna division working committee rejecting his proposals. Congress directed its attention to the interim period and the reconstituted viceroy’s council’ and it emphasised that no agreement could be reached as it wanted complete British withdrawal from India immediately. On the other hand, the muslim league showed interest in the post war settlement outlined in the cripps proposals, and it was on these that they based their final rejection, adding that in the circumstances it was necessary for them to say anything about the interim proposals. The deadlock was thus complete. Sir Stafford Cripp’s proposals were rejected by Indian leaders. Mahatma Gandhi described the pledge about future settlement of the constitution as a “post–dated cheque on a bank that was obviously failing”. He told cripps that “if this is your entire proposal to India, I would abvise you to take the next planehome”. The abortive cripp’s proposals showed in the clearest possible manner that there was no change in the British Government’s attitude towards India and that the British hold on India was in no way to be relaxed. In the negotiations with sir Stafford cripps, Congress representatives tried their utmost to achieve a minimum. Consistent with the national demand but to no avail. This frustration resulted in a rapid and wide spread increase of ill –will against Britain and a growing satisfaction at the success of the Japanese arms. The Congress working committee viewed this development with grave apprehension as this would inevitably lead to a passive acceptance of aggression. The committee desired that all aggressions must be resisted, for any submission to it must mean the degradation of the Indian people and the continuation of their subjugation. The Congress as such was anxious to avoid the experience of Malaya. Singapore and

Bibliography & Appendices 31 Burma and desired to build up resistance to any aggression of invasion of india by the Japanese or any foreign power. On july 14th, 1942 the Congress working committee at its meeting at Wardha, passed a resolution asking the British Government to withdraw and to transfer authority in India’s provisional Government representative of all important sections of the people of India, which would later evolve a scheme by which a constituent assembly could be convened in order to prepare a constitution for the Government of India, acceptable to all sections of the people. representative of free India and representatives of Great Britain would confer together for the adjustment of future relations and for the co-operation of the two countries as allies in the common task of meeting aggression. The Congress working committee declared that it had no desire to embarrass Britain or other allied powers in their prosecution of war or to encourage Japanese invasion of India. The committee agreed to the stationing of the armed force of the allied powers in India in order to to ward off the Japanese invasion. The committee further warned the British Government that if it did not terminate its rule in India the Congress would be compelled to start a widespread struggle on non–violent lines under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The meeting of the A.I.C.C. attracted some attention in Bihar and there was a feeling og dissppointment that nothing really definite emerged from it. There was a general feeling amongst Congress workers in Patna that the present inactive phase should come to an end, and they were ready to welcome a slightest chance for active participation in the movement . Gandhiji before Wardha resolution had made it known that the contemplated struggle was to be conflagration and that he would not hegitate to run any risk

32 Quit India Movement in old Patna division however great. On 14th july after the Wardha resolution had been passed he declared in a press (Harijan) interview “after all it is anopen rebellion”. “… my intension is to make it as short and swift as possible22”. Reactions in the province however, were unexpectedly mild and apart from comments in press the incidents were of little interest. Congress paper “the searchlight” of course condemned the Government but concentrated more in asking as to how Mr.Jinnah would respond to such a politicall challenge. Gossip writers in Darbhanga papers at first described Government action as ill abvised and unjustified but later admitted that with the appearance of Jinnah’s statement the political ripple had subsided. Before Jinnah had declared himself, Ismail of the Bihar provincial muslim league roughly committed himself to the pronouncements that the government had blundered and its decision would cause irritation in the country. The P.C.C. bulletine no.12 circulated in Patna after Gandhiji’s arrest with the twelve point programme called every man and women in India as his successor and victory or death was to be their motto. Countrywise hartal with meetings in the villages and cities, delivering the quit india message were to be observed. If meetings were banned then it would be resistes. (2)free manufacture of salt and resistance to salt laws. (3)complete non–violence, non cooperation with administration including no rent compaign. (4) call to students, whose sacred duty was to awaken the country . students could not be passive spectators but must leave their colleges and universities to take the place 22 H.POL.Bihar (Special) Pol.64/41

Bibliography & Appendices 33 of arrested leaders and conduct the non-violent struggle to its victorious conclusion. (5) Government servants were asked whether they will betray their country by supporting the alien Government in this struggle. Those who had not the courage to resign and join the movement should at least refuse to carry out repressive orders. (6)every soldier shoud consider himself a Congressmen and disobey every order which goes ages against his conscience. (7) people of the Indian states must make common cause with rest of the people in the struggle . (8) women have a decisive role and must be prepared for sacrifice and suffering. (9) every man and woman must carry a badge bearing the motto “so or die” to proclaim determination to be free or to perish in the attempt. (10) all communities must participate in the struggle. (11)The objective was the ending of foreign rule; whatever help in attainment of that objective is permissible subject to condition of non–violence. People in provinces must devise ways of parlysing the administration. Each man was to be his own guide and leader but must assert that he is a free man and vanish fear. (12) last but not the least “let us not forget spinning so dear to Gandhiji.” finally abdul kalam azad in speech on july 17th said “we will not responsible for the masses who may turn violent. For the purpose of launching the quit india movement the A.I.C.C. was to meet in Bombay on the 7th August 194223. Accordingly on August 7th and 8th, 1942, in Bombay the A.I.C.C. gave the most careful consideration to the 23 .H.POL.F.N.3/103/42

34 Quit India Movement in old Patna division reference made to it by the committee in their resolution of July 14th, 1942 and to subsequent events, including the development of the war situation, the utterances of responsible spokesmen of the British Government and the comments and criticisms and criticisms made in India and abroad. Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and Congress president Azad all declared that there is no compromise on the demand for freedom. The resolution taken at Bombay on 8th August led to the wholesale arrest of the congress leaders and they were sent to unknown places. The Congress organization was banned and most of the Congress working committee members were arrested in all provinces but one. This served as signal to rouse–up the pent–up feelings of the people and there were mass outbursts all over the country. Mr.Amery the secretary of state in his broadcast the same evening told the world that by adopting the course of banning the Congress and arrest of the leaders he had separated the fuse from the bomb and saved india from a grave disaster. However, side by side appeared the news of police firing on demonstrators, calling out the military, Lathi–charges and curfew orders. These were the direct consequences of the wholesale and sudden arrest of Congress leaders on the morning of 9th August 1942. After the arrest of Gandhiji and other leaders on 9th August 1942, Bihar became a nerve centre of the movement. The news was flashed off all over india. Two or three days later on august 11th and particularly Aug.12th; there commenced the act of violence and sabotage in widely spread sreas and even interior of bihar as Bihar was so much influenced by Congress workers and hatred to the British rule. A railway official from Bihar may be quoted as saying that “there is very strong anti- British feeling in the dehat’s of Bihar and that if it were not for the known

Bibliography & Appendices 35 presence of powerful armed forces in India, it would have been easily a future out break of the riots of 1942”24. Meanwhile the news from Burma of British retreat caused a further wave of pessimism in Bihar. Many people went on asking whether the Japanese could be stopped and the usual answer was in negative. Congress in Bihar had been engaged in setting its house in order. Rajendra Prasad was given carte blanche to reform the provincial working committee and though he had taken back three Hindu ex ministers he had clipped the wings of the ex prime minister Sri S.K.Sinha by reducing the weightage of that person community on the committee.25 The party had been concentrating constructive work which meant the organization of defence parties to maintain public morale and to check crime and (2) grow more food compaign. In the abave conatructive work anugrah narayan sinha, the exfinance minister of Bihar had been the most prominentigure and it was not surprising that the provincial leadership under rajendra Prasad, of course, was transferred from Srīkṛiṣhṇa Sinha to Anugrah Narayan Sinha . The Madras resolution of Rajgopalachari never had any chance of support in Bihar where among Muslims the urge towards Pakistan was not very great. Both Congress and Hindu Mahasabha who had early showed their disapprovalnowaired that differences in a way that the Sabha treated the episode as a congress plot to sell the pass. Dog fight between The search light and The Indian Nation reminded of the whole episode.26 The provincial muslim league was overshadowed by the visit to Bihar of the all India defence committee consisting of Nawab Muhamad 24.H.POL.Bihar (Special) F.NO. 24/11/42. 25.Ibid. 26.Ibid.

36 Quit India Movement in old Patna division ismail, Sir Nazummuddin Chaudhry. Khalique zaman and kazi Mohamad Isa . The aim of its visit was for ensuring protection only to the muslims and was in no way aggressive . it was not hos–tile to Government but on the contrary it wished to co-operate. The defence committee placed themselves at the disposal of the authorities. Their aim appeared identical with that of the Governmet in setting up civic guards, village defence parties, and the war front. The Congress resurrection continued to monopolis public attention and apart of this which aroused any interest was the prospect of an early Japanese invasion which according to several reports formed the insurgents’ main hope. Axis broadcasts were freely listened to every where in Bihar and the stories of bombardment of Assam, aeroplanes over Calcuttta and national army waiting on the frontier under the leadership of subhas bose played an appreciable part in fomenting unrest27 and prolonging resistance. Mokamah Marwari meeting, though limited, aimed at prolonging the resistance to the steps taken to quell the rebellion. Many false and defeatist rumours which were prevalent around this time, one of the most persistent rumour was that Japanese have launched attack on Assam. Agitation at Sitamarhi was said to have succeeded in convincing a number of people that the air-craft were seen coming over belonged not to the British, but to the Germans and Japanese; their friends and that in them were Indian political leaders engaged in reconnaissance work at the biidding of Subhas Chandr bose. Much talk of Japanese invasion as the mansoon approach was current both in Patna and Muzzafarpur and of the possibility of an attack on India from the north. It was presumed that Sikkim Government 27 .H.POL.F.NO. 3/50/42

Bibliography & Appendices 37 had promised them a thorough passage and that the Nepal Government was likely to fall in with. The general attitude was one of defeatism. Largely as a result of listening to enemy’s broadcast. Rumours like the Japanese invasion, which were accompanied by a recrudence of sabotage and violence were widely prevalent.28 After the declaration of the world war and before Congress resolution of Bombay, Bihar had alreaby marched in a big way towards path of independence movement. Leaders were trying their best to feed the people of Bihar with the need and situation of the country. Deoli day was celebrated at Arrah and Dehri-on 9.11.41.by Sardar Harihar Singh and Basawan singh respectively. The situation in the far east had been causing considerable public anxiety and news that Rangoon had been bombed, caused wide spread panic. An appreciable number of people form the district of Shahabad had their relations in Burma and other places in the far east. Rai bahadur harihar Prasad of Arrah owned a sugar mill at Ziabadi in Burma. Leading merchant of Arrah town were leaving their Calcutta offices.29 On the labour front, order to vacate quarters of seventy six employees and warrant of arrest against mine persons including Basawan Singh, reasst Karim. Gulzar Singh, Inder Singh, Mahbub, Dal Singar Singh Fulena Singh, Balwant Rai and Harinath Jha had already been issued by the Government against Dalmianagar factory workers. At dumraon Mr.H.V.Kamath addressed five hundred people of forward bloc and severely criticized Dumraon Raj tenents policy. On 17.11.41 a Hindu Mahasabha meeting was held a Arrah, Raghwacharya of Bhagalpur also attended it. On 20th march 1942 national war 28 H.POL.F.NO. 3/50/42. 29.Bihar F.N. 22.41. Collector’s camp. Buxer no. 1412/C.

38 Quit India Movement in old Patna division front was inaugurated by the governor of Bihar in Sinha Library in face of threatened peril to the country for oreation and maintenance of public morale. Frovincial leader C.P.N. Sinha stressed the need of Gram Rksha Dal, Nagar Raksha Dal, resistance to aggression, maintenance of public morale,30 fifth column activity, village defence and war time needs of people. In the background of all these political activities of the people of Bihar under the guidance of their leaders, students force were also ready to face any calamity for the sake of the nation. The Indian Nation reported on 16.4.41 about a students’ conference in Shahabad presided over by prof. Abdul Bari. Prof Bari, said in the conference: “This is a period in the History of the world in which old social values are giving place to new ones and the structure of both society and Government are in swift process of change which amount of human efforts which can check Hindu Muslim animosity”. Krishna Mohan Sharma, Ambika Singh, A.N.singh, R.P. Singh and Ravi Ballabh Singh were elected office bearers. Sasaram and Dehri were full of political activities concerned with the national movement and several political leaders and terrorists were arrested on 23/10/41 at 5.15p.m. at Dehri Bazaar including Sri Bhagwan Prasad Chandail, Bishwanath Mathur from whom a country made revolver and four cartridges of bore 410 were recovered, and one Rizvi, a labour leader.31 Jadunanadan Singh with a Hindi paper “Janta” vol.4. No.3 dated 1st jan.41. was arrested at Arah the district headquarter of Shahabad. The paper contained prejudicial report of the nature described in sub rule (7) of rule 34 of the D.I.R. read with sub rule (6) of the rule. The paper said “in Hazaribagh Jail Swami Sahjanand Sarswati, the life of 30.Bihar F.N. 22.41. Collector’s camp. Buxer no. 1412/C. 31.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 39 the peasants and labour is awaiting a great Kisan Mazdoor revolution and Subhas Chandr Bose, the people’s leader is not recovering after having been released in a dying state. The primary duty of country men is to demolish the Government and its jail where priceless gems of the country are auffering. starting the slogan the paper’s editorial said “victory to Swarajists will mean stopping payment of rents, taking possession of lands, refusing contribution of even a lose coin to “Mis Britainia”32 it exhorted the people to conduct the Kisan Mazdoor revolution with stormy speed to defeat the enemies of the Panchayat Raj, to combine to break open the doors of the jail to bring out Swamiji and other servants of kisan and Majdoor”. The paper commented that the situation was in favour of the people.33 It added: “start a India wide strong agiation. Today clouds of abversity are hovering over the heads of whitemen. To supply, secret papers to remote villagers and Kissans to get true information”.34 The news of the bombing in Assam had raised hopes in the certain sections of the public that Japanese invasion was now at hand. The discontinuation of the bombing speedily dispelled those hopes and the occupation of narth Africa by American forces had electrified the towns of Bihar.35 In view, however, of allied failure in the last two years, many persons were disposed to believe that the news was too good to believed and even if it was true, it was doubtful whether it could last.36 32.Bihar F.No. 77.41 33.Ibid. 34.Ibid. 35.Ibid. 36.Ibid.

40 Quit India Movement in old Patna division The tendency among the public was to believe that the Russians or the forces of Australia were having any real success and that it was in circulation that German forces threatened India from the coucasus and the Japanese invasion of India was imminent. these beliefs were obviously based on wishes but their currency was possibly stimulated by the sub mergence of news papers.37 Messers Anugrah Narayan Singh, Jagjiwan Ram and Jagat Narayan Lal visitded Mokamah on 27.7.42 and emphasised on unrestricted sale of rice, on hope for any new war movement if order being reluctantly carried and forming of village defence force for the masses. On 26.6.42 fall of tobrick produced in some quarters of Bihar a sick despair and it was felt that any military invasion connot now prevent Egypt and the middle east from falling to axis hands. At the sametime there had been a wave of optimism so far as Japan was concerned and this had been reflected in the sayings of a large number of private persons who were now pouring back into Calcutta.38 A pro–war meeting was held at Rajgir on 12.6.42 the meeting was attended by B.K.Sinha and Mr. Nawal Kishore Sinha where in the prevalence of false and fantastic rumours that Hindu recruits were forced to eat beaf was discussed. It was also said that nature of modern warfare aws itself different. But Rajputs of the district told “we are Rajputs but what we can do against a Bomb”. The situation in Bihar had not changed although the occupation of madagaskar and the naval battle of Australia had apparently inproved the strategic situation. Continued withdrawal in Burma and bombing of Chittagong and Assam had depressing effects. 37.Bihar F.No. 77.41. 38.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 41 The formula of non-violent non-coperation with the Government was the attitude of the people and leaders of Bihar. The resolution of the A.I.C.C. recommending an attitude of non-violent non-cooperation with Japanese was to be regarded as too ludicrous to be taken seriously and the provincial leaders wer paying lip services to it. Mr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha had addressed various meetings during the fortnight but there had been no important developments. The firm attitude taken by Rajgopalachari on the Madras resolution and his resignation from A.I.C.C. had been very favourably received by the members of the Muslim league in the state. Anti Pakistan day on 10.5.42 by Hindu Mahasabha was to be celebrated in Dinapur and Barh.39 As such Government had to pass such orders in Bihar prohibiting any person going armed with deadly weapons in the town. Attempts to start procession were foiled and fiftynine persons were arrested indluding eleven students, fourteen bandmen and thirty four were prosecuted under section 188 I.P.C. 1500 strong mobattended a meeting held for two hours at Bankipur Maidan under the presidentship of Ram Charitar Prasad, vice president, Patna Hindu Mahasabha and he was arrested at The Thakurbari of Dunda Singh.40 Anugrah Narayan Singh held a meeting on 12.4.42 at Mangal Tank at Patna Kadamkuan to celebrate Jalliawala Bagh day. Dr.Rrajendra Prasad also addressed the meeting. Collapse of “Cripps mission” caused further feeling of depression.41 Fall of Singapore caused in many areas a blank despair and the general attitude throughout was one of 39.Bihar F.No. 77.41. 40.Ibid. 41.Ibid.

42 Quit India Movement in old Patna division paralyzing and resignation. The second Bihar-war-week flopped in Patna. News of Russian success had been more than off set by the Japanese advancement while the abscure position in Libya had again caused some anxiety. Black out in Patna from Jan. 18.1.42 was a success. Throughout the first half of the year 1942 Bihar Congress leaders like Dr.Rajendra Prasad, Sri A.N. Sinha, Sri S.K. Sinha, Shri J.N. Lal and others continued to propagate the use of Charakha in different meetings they attended and addressed in Bihar. Throughout Patna witnessed the holding of a number meetings by students and political leaders of the province. It was reported that the exodus of Marwaris and members of merchant classes of Shahabad residing in Calcutta had begun.42on the other hand the Dinapur war committee arranged a variety show, mass rally, meetings, procession, Moshaira and Kavi Sammelan, sale of flags on special cinema show. Within twenty four hours following the Japanese dedlaration of war there was a good deal of nervousness in Patna town but as there had been no air raids, narvoousness was now replaced by a sense of somewhat uneasy calm. The rumour of kind treatment by the Japanese towards Indians still persisted, particularly in north bihar through which many train loads of evacuees and coolies from Burma had passed in the last few months. There was rumour that a blind sadhu at Muzaffarpur, whose merits were tested by the collector of the district had prophesied the end of the British rule in India in three months and Thirteen days.43 This had a good impact on the revolutiona-ries but the local authorities tried their best to scotche the rumour. 42.Bihar F.No. 77.41. 43.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 43 The Congress working committee’s resolution had been received with little enthusiasm even in Congress circle. There was altogether a marked absence of enthusiasm of 1930. The only circle which realy welcomed the movement was the socialists and the forward bloc.44 The criminals and terrorists elements which had attached themselves to either of these parties or to Congress were elated. But politicians of the old moderate or liberal school representing the Indian national Congress while condemning mass civil disobedience at this juncture also blamed the British for driving Congress to adopt a desperate policy. A considerable section of non-congressmen,including Swami Shahjanand, believed that the Congress resolution was a piece of bluff, the real object of the working committee being to have negotiations, which were dropped on the departure of Sir Stafford Cripps had reopened. In the meeting of the Bihar Congress working committee held on the 21st and 22nd July 1942 , Dr.Rajendra Prasad told members of the committee that Mahatma Gandhi was determined to launch the movement which would probably take the form of general defiance of law offences against property and persons were to be exempted, but additional freedom such as boycott, strike, non-violent compaign and hunger strike will be included according to requirements.45 An emergent meeting of the provincial working committee was held on the 31st July 1942 in order to secure its approval of the resolution. An important meeting of Congress was held at Tarapur in the district of Mongyr on the 18th and 19th July and was attended among others, by Acharya Kripalani, Dr.Rajendra Prasad, Mr.Srikrishna Sinha and Krishna Ballabh Sahay. Mr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha, was in the 44.Bihar F.No. 77.41. 45.Resolution of B.P.C.C. of 21/22 July 42.

44 Quit India Movement in old Patna division chair. Acharya Kripalani’s contribution was a criticism on familiar lines of British rule in India and British mismanagement of international affairs both before and after the out break of war.46 To rouse the moral attitude of the people , the news papers also played an important role in the background of thenational movement . the british government are at the root of all our troubles. They should go from here. Commented rastravani on 22 July 1942 “the bugle of war has been blown” commented The Times of India dated 22 july 1942. The following quotation from a diary of a Japanese lieutenant was published “Indians are cowards. They were not with us whole heartedly and were simply serving as coolies on account of fear. We have encircled Englishmen and we expenct glorious achievement, as we know full well that they remain engaged for the whole night in dancing and drinking. The Musalman commente “if the story of this diary is not a myth it is evident why the british troop had to face defeat in Burma. It is just possible these causes might have worked at all the other fronts”.47 Discussing the attack on the congress the members of the viceroys executive council told ‘these sirs, will message the legs of the british raj and even when its head has been lowered they will stick to the legs and consider their heads well protected.” All reports from the provinces confirmed the view that the allied success had a good effect on public opinion. But since the Japanese had made fresh air raids on Chittagong. There might be apprehension of such air raids in certain areas and alarmist reports emancipating of such air raids in certain areas and alarmist reports emancipating 46.Resolution of B.P.C.C. of 21/22 July 42. 47.Bihar 77/41, The Rastravani.

Bibliography & Appendices 45 from travelers from Assam about the havoc wrought by Japanese bombers in some of the towns in tha province were thought to spread further. It was also presumed at that critical point that Mr.Subhas Chandr Bose’ party and the pro-Japanese elements still thought that hitler was biding his time in Russia and, had merely taken upon convenient line for the winter compaign.48 Some officers of the district of Gaya reported that the educated people do not place much reliance on the newspaper reports or radio broadcasts and regard much of what they read or hear as mere propaganda. The excitement caused by the out break of the violence on stray measues started dying out dur to the repressive action of the Government. But the Anti-British feeling among the educated public continued to be still bitter. In his fortnightly report, district magistrate of Gaya reported about prejudicial speeches of Shahdeo Singh, Umeshwar Charan at whitty park in protest against the arrest of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. About three thousand mob attended the meeting. The administration arrested twenty five persons and four were confined. At Arrah Hartal was observed in protest against the arrest of Maulana Azad and at Buxar Congress committee49 started working itself as Satyagrahi committee. On the other hand confidence in people grew due to the success of the Greeks and British in Albania and north Africa. Anti war pamphlets, not to contribute to war funds, were distributed in Barh town.50 Different class of people in different areas urban and rural thought differently according to not their own Ideas and prejudices, but also according to the effect of correct of incorrect war news circulating in the area of at least 48.Bihar 77/41, The Rastravani 49.Bihar 64/41 50.Ibid.

46 Quit India Movement in old Patna division Shahabad where they lived or worked. The prevailing opinion of all classes of people, whether pro-Government or not was that the British Government was loosing Indian opportunity for wonning over a vast majority of the people.51 Mr.Amery speech on India was being condemned by all parties as total failure of constructive statesmanship. The manner in which he had referred to the Pakistan schemes had been taken to be an attempt to undo all that the British had been trying to do during the last century and a half that was to promote the unity of India. But it was mere an eye wash but not the fact. Problems in Bihar was increasing due to unarrested satyagrahis.52 On 12.9.41 B.P.C.C. at its meeting at sadaquet Asharm in Patna directed all members of local bodies to resign. Gandhi Jayanti was to be celebrated on 3.9.41 at Mangal Tank. In Shahabad, democratic radical party general secretary Babu Sheo Pojan Singh impressed by M.N.Roy established ten units in the districts. Desertion from army recruits was also reported from Shahabad.53 Quit India Movement was the last war during the life time of Mahatma Gandhi and also the last war for Swaraj. It was not being waged for any small cause. In this war there was also the question of world peace and welfare and the question of ending the present fearful war . the resolution of B.P.C.C. dated 22nd july 1942 stated, (1) This war is going between beaurocracy and the fascists (2) We have no weapons to fight with, taxes not to be paid, cutting of dam flattoms, dam bridges overrivers, tele communication, the railway lines and then the army. Take Rupees instead of 51.Bihar 64/41 52.Ibid. 53.Ibid.

Bibliography & Appendices 47 currency note. Take the help of bow and arrow when Britishers deny crops, follow these rules. Come and shout Bande Matram, Inquailab Zinda bad. India azad– beaurocracy destroyed.54 Thus it is apparent that politically conscious people of Bihar fully prepared to take on active part in the Quit India Movement. Although the last two and a half years before the launching emancipation from British rule. The people of these districts got an opportunity during the course of the Quit India Movement to contribute their share in violent opposition to British rule. ❖ 54 . B.P.C.C. Resolution of 22nd July 1942.

48 Quit India Movement in old Patna division Chapter Two The origin and progress of the movement Spontaneous outburst of violence after the arrest of Gandhiji and other leaders took the form of hooliganism, damaging government and municipal property, attack on English men, picketing, no rent compaign and similar protests against the government. This phase of movement is called an open movement. 55 In Bihar the Congress underground movement organization was most active. Typical incidents of the cutting of nose, carrying of congress flags by volunteers, and assault on pro government persons and police informers, raid on government offices and thanas looting and burning of treasury and post offices, murder and threat to life was the order of the day.56 It was only due to the pressure of military and police that 1942 rebels were driven to organise underground movement. In north and central Bihar a number of terrorist groups were revived or came into being.57 Their members consisted of Congress socislists, members of forward bioc and criminal elements. In Shahabad, especially in part of the industrial areas of Dalmianagar, the former terrorist Suraj Nath Choubey directed operations the marked absence of overt acts in the parts of the southern range of Bihar boardering on Bengal are as was attributed to the firm measures adopted by both the Governments to ensure against of the Bengal groups in 55.H.pol. 3/84/42. 56.Ibid.. 57.H.Pol.(1) 35/5/43.

Bibliography & Appendices 49 places like Jamshadpur. But without funds or leadership, much of their energy was deverted to the secret quisling dissemination of defeatist rumours . some typical incidence occurred in some parts of Bihar.58 The 9th August gave birth to a new spirit of resistence and put fresh life into India’s struggle for independence. The arrests of several Congress working committee members and of local leabers was carried. During the first two days three hundred twenty one persons including civilians were arrested in Patna alone. Sri Baldeo Sahay, advocate general resigned in protest again the repression of the British Government in Bihar on 11th August. Then started the most sensational event in Bihar which became the nerve centre of the national movement of the country. numerous government buildings were set on fire. Schools evacuation camps and private property also suffered, the damage. The purpose of the underground movement was to revitalise- the anti – british campaign and to launch a new war of terrorism against the government.59 There was a certain amount of mystery and the hidden hand about the underground movement. More than twelve hundred political leaders including Rajendra Prasad, S.K. Sinha, A.N. Sinha, J.N.Lal and J.Ram were arrested within a few days.60 Not only this the chief secretary Mr. Y.A.Godbole issued a circular to all commissioners with a list of more active organizing members of forward bloc of the province repuesting them to proceed against them without reference to the government, if this was desirable to prosecute them under rule 27 a of the D.I.R.leaders considered by the provincial Government to be the most 58.Bihar f.no. 3/19/44. 59.H.pol.(1) 3/101/42 60.Bihar F.no.72/42

50 Quit India Movement in old Patna division dangerous and efficient organisers were arrested simultaneously with Rajendra Prasad and Gandhiji and as such it was not considered likely that they had lift identical instructions to their followers before they were taken to prison.61 The Government held the view that several foreign agencies, all imbued with revolutionary teaching and technique had percolated into India at that time and a section of hotheaded students were now carrying out these teachings into action. Orthodox Congress elements were certainly at work in some cases acting individually on what they believed to be Ganghiji’s idea and in other cases acting on forged and fake instructions purporting to come from Gandhiji and other leaders. The Congress socialist party and forward bloc were also prominent in organising the outrages. As regards fifth column62 influence until November 1942 , there appeared to be no evidence that the enemy had any direct hand in the organisation of the movement but it is a fact that japan was trying to send agents into south and central Bihar. On 9th August arrest of leaders and organisers of associations was declared unlawful and their offices were seized in most of the districts. The day was marked by demonstrations near Government offices. Meetings were organised to protest against Government actions. Hartals strike of school and college students and brick battings on police were observed in different towns. Movement was to concentrate the villagers to resort to non-payment of taxes and rent, asking rural police and government servants including regular police force to give up services on promise 61.ibid.. 62.H.pol.(1) 3/84/42.