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Freedom movement in Chhattisgarh

Development of awareness –

Many reading clubs, debating societies, literary organizations etc. were formed in Raipur, Bilaspur and other places which created awareness among the people.

Beginning of the activities of Indian National Congress–

Chhattisgarh got associated with Congress for the first time in the Nagpur convention in 1891, but major activities started with Nagpur Provincial council in 1905. The Swadeshi resolution of Dada Sahab Khaparde was accepted in the Jabalpur Provincial Council in 1906. Around this time the Raipur branch of Congress was established. Barrister C.M. Thakkar played an important role in it.

Contribution of Pt. Sundarlal Sharma –

Pt. Sunderlal Shrama is known as Raja Rammohan Roy of Chhattisgarh. He belonged to Chamsul village near Rajim. He became a member of the Congress in 1906. He represented Chhattisgarh in the Surat Convention of Congress in 1907. He created the Sammitra Mandal in 1906 for social reforms. He also did a lot of work for improvement of the lot of Harijans. he established a satmani Ashram and also many Kahdi ashrams. he started a Sanskrit school in Rajim. he led the Kandel movement in Dhamtari and invited Mahatma Gandhi. He had to go to jail many times. He published a Jail magazine from the jail. Role of Newspapers– Madhavrao Sapre started the Chhattisgarh Mitra Newspaper from Pendra. This paper continued till 1903. After this other papers like Saraswati of Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi (1900), Hindi Granth Prakashn Mandlai (1905) and Hind Kesri (1905) of Madhavrao Sapre, Arunoday (1921-22) of Thakur Pyarelal Singh, krishna janmasthan Samachar Patra (Jail Patrika (1922-23), Congress Patrika (1937) of Raipur Congress Committee etc. worked to develop feeling of Nationalism. The Hind Kesari of Madhav Rao Sapre was the most effective. Sapre ji published Hindi translations of two articles of Balgangadhar Tilak published in Kesari. These articles were Desh Ka durdev and Bomb Gole ka Rahasya. In these articles there was criticism of the British Government and call to the people to do their National duty. MadhavRao sapre as arrested in 1908 for publishing these articles. Government wanted that Sapre ji should apologize in writing. Wamanrao Lakhe met Sapre ji in Jail and told him that his brother had sent a message that he will commit suicide if Sapre Ji did not apologize. Sapre ji signed the apology in desperation. He was released without a trial. This incident reduced his prestige in the eyes of the people. His photos were burnt in the city. Sapre ji could not come out to meet the people for month. Makhanlal Chturvedi published many things about Chhattisgarh in Karmaveer. Raipur Zila Parishad brought out a magazine named Utthan (1935-37) and Bilaspur Zila Parishad published the magazine Vikas. All these developed Nationalism among the people.

Extremists and Moderates in Congress –

In 1907 in Surat convention there was division in the Congress in extremists and moderates. In Chhattisgarh as well there was a similar division. Dada sahab Khaparde, Madhav Rao Sapre and Dr Munje were in the extremist group and Ravishankar Shukla, Harisingh Gour, Dr Madholkar were moderates. In the Raipur convention Dada sahab Khaparde suggested that the convention should begin by singing Vandematram. This suggestion was opposed by the moderates as vandematram was banned by the Government and there was punishment for singing it. Dada Sahab Khaparde boycotted the convention. He addressed a separate public meeting near Hanuman temple on the same day. Next day as well he addressed a public meeting in Booti Bada. Later there was reconciliation between the two factions at the National level as well as at the State level.

Bilaspur –

Raghvendra Rao, Kunjbihari Agnihotir, Barrister Chhedilal etc. were the mainleaders in Bilaspur.

Rajnandgaon –

The main leader of Rajnandgaon was Thakur Pyarelal. He started the Saraswati library here. He also led a labor strike of 36 days in BNC Mills. He was sent to Jail many times. He was also deported from Rajnandgaon.

Dhamtari –

Kandel satyagrah of Dhamtari is very important in the history of freedom struggle. The main leaders of Dhamtari were Malgujar Babu Chhotelal Shrivastav, Narayanrao Meghawale, Natthuji Jagtap etc.

Durg –

Ghanshyam Gupta, Ramprasad Deshmukh were the main leaders in Durg.

Homerule in Chhattisgarh –

When Tilak started the Homerule league with Anne Besant, its branches were opened in Chhattisgarh as well. The efforts of Mulchand Bagdi, Madhavrao Sapre and Laxmanrao Udaigirkar are worth mentioning.

Raipur visit of Gokhale –

Gopla Krishan Gokhale cameto Raipur in May 1918. He held a meeting at the residence of Wamanrao Lakhe in which Pt. Ravishankar Shukla, Laxmanrao Udaigirkar, Thakur Pyarelal Singh, Narayanrao Meghawale, Pt. Sunderlal Sharma etc. participated. It was decided in the meeting that “Swaraj Hamara Janmasidh Adhikar Hai” (Freedom is my birthright) should be spread to very village. Speeches were organized and pamphlets were distributed in villages under this scheme.

Opposition of Rowlatt Act–

Rowlatt Act was opposed in Chhattisgarh as well. There was opposition to the incident of Jaliwanwala Bagh as well.

Chhattisgarh and Khilafat Movement –

A congress subcommittee was made on 17th March 1920 for Khilafat movement in a public meeting. In this meeting Asgar Ali thanked Hindu brothers for sympathy towards Muslims. In reply Pt. Ravishankar Shukla said that we are not longer Hindus and Muslims and that we have now truly become Indians.

BNC Mills strike –

Thakur Pyarelal Singh organized the labor of BNC Mills in Rajnandgaon and conducted a successful strike for 36 days in 1920. Mr V V Giri who was a labor leader at that time and later became the President of India visited Rajnandgaon. In the end an agreement was reached in favour of the labor. Later Thakur Sahab was deported from the Rajnadgaon State. The deportation order was later cancelled after the intervention of the Governor.

Kandel Satyagrah –

In the second part of 1920 the Kandel Satyagrah became fanous throughout India. The British has made a dam in Rudri and Murumsilli in Dhamtari. The canal of these dams went through Kandel. A tem years agreement was made mandatory to take water from the canal for which a huge fees was to be paid. The farmers were not in a position to pay this fee. The irrigation department released water into the canal without any demand from the farmers and raised a demand for payment of dues. The farmers refused to pay. The Government then decided to recover the money by force and imposed a common fine of Rs 4033 on the whole village. A public meeting was organized in which Pt. Sunderlal Sharma, Narayanrao Meghawale and Chhotelal Shrivastav participated. It was decided not to pay the fime and organize a Satyagrah against it. Many people were arrested. When the torture by the government became too much Pt. Sundarlal Sharma decided to hand over the leadership of the movement to Mahatma Gandhi. He went to Calcutta to invite Gandhi ji. When the government found this out, they were afraid that the movement could have National implications. The Deputy Commissioner visited the spot and cancelled the fine. Thus the movement was successful even before Mahatma Gandhi came here. Gandhiji congratulated the people when he went to Kandel.

Gandhiji’s Chhattisgarh Visits –

First Visit -

Pt. Sunderlala Sharma invited Mahatma Gandhi to lead the Kandel movement but the movement was successful even before he came. Mahatma Gandhi came to Raipur railway station along with Pt. Sharma and Maulana Shukat Ali on 20th December 1920. A public meeting was held at the place where there is Gandhi Chowk today. Next day he went to Dhamtari by car. He was received at the Mkaibandh Chowk. The public meeting was held at Jani Husain Bada. The crowd was so much that he was taken to the stage on the shoulders of a Kachhi trader. Gandhi ji had lunch at the home of Nathuji Jagtap. The Zamindar of Dhamtari Bajirao Kridutt gave Rs 501 for Tilak Swaraj fund. While returning Gandhiji addressed a rally at Kurud. In Raipur he addressed a meeting of women in Anand reading room in Brahmanpara. The women donated jewelry worth Rs 2000 for Tilak Swaraj Fund.

Second Visit –

Gandhiji came to Chhattisgarh for his second visit for 5 days from 22nd to 28th November. He came to Durg on 22nd November. The arrangements were made mainly by Ravishankar Shukla and Rajendra Singh. This programme of Gandhiji was for the purpose of welfare of harijans. Mahatma Gandhi was hosted by Ghanshyam Gupta in Durg. He asked what is worth seeing in Durg as soon as he reached there. Gupta ji told him that there was a primary school where high caste and harijan children were studying sitting on the same tatpatti from 1926. On the same evening a huge public meeting was organized in Moti Bag Talab ground. Approximately 50000 people collected. First there was poetry recitation by Shishupla Singh Yadav and Udaiprasad Bodegaonwale. After that Mahatma Gandhi gave his speech. Hajarilal Jain drove Gandhiji’s car throughout this visit. On 23rd NOvember Gandhiji came to Raipur via Kumhari. He was given a grand reception at Amapara chowk. Gandhi ji was accompanied on this visit by his English disciple Meerabain, the freedom fighter from Jhabua Thakkar bapa and his private secretary Mahadev Desai. He stayed at the home of Ravishankar Shukla in Raipur. He inaugurated a swadeshi exhibition in Victoria garden (now Moti Bagh) on 23rd November. On 24th November he addressed a public meeting in Lawrie School (Now Sapre school). After this he inspected the Satnami ashram of Sunderlal Sharma. he addressed harijans in Maudhapara. On the same day a temple in Purani Basti was opened for harijans. Mahatma Gandhi said in this visit that Sunderlal Sharma was not only elder to him, he was also his guru. On 25th November Gandhiji went to Dhamtari. He was given a reception in Makaibandh Chowk. He then addressed a pubic meeting in Marathi girls school. He addressed women in the home of Babu Chhotelal. Many women donated their jewelry for harijan fund. Nathu Jagtap gave an abhinandal patra from the municipality which Gandhiji auctioned. It was purchased by hajarilal Jain his driver. Narayanrao Meghawale donated Rs 501 from teh public of the town for the harijan fund. Gandhiji called it the Bardoli of Chhattsigarh. He had lunch in the satnami mohalla and got a shve from makhan barber. When he was returning someone threw a bundle at Gandhiji which contained haldi, rice and a coin of 2 paise. Gandhiji got it auctioned and it fetched Rs 101.

Gandhiji reached Bilaspur on 25th November. Thakur Chhedilal received him at Jarhabhata Chowk. He lad lunch at the home of Kunjbihari Agnihotri and took rest there. He then addressed a public meeting at the place which is now called Gandhi Chowk. Here also women donated jewelry. Gandhji returned to Raipur on 28th November and went to Balaghat via Gondia by rail. In this vist a total of Rs 74000 were collected for the harijan fund and the largest collection of Rs 1450 was in Raipur. Randayal Tiwari inspired by this visit of Gandhiji stared work on his book Gandhi Meemansa which he completed in 1936.

Non-cooperation movement in Chhattisgarh –

Non-cooperation movement took place on in Chhattisgarh as well -

1. Boycott of Courts – Thakur Pyarelal Singh, Pt. Ramdayal Tiwari, Raghvendra Rao, N R Khankhoj, Thakur Chhedilal, D K Mehta etc. left their legal practice.
2. Renunciation of titles – Wananrao Lakhe renounced his title of Rao Sahab. Pubic called him Lokpriya in a public meeting. Barrister Kalyanhi Morarji Thekar and Seth Gopikishan also renounced their titles of Rao Sahab. Kazi Sher Khan renounced the title of Khan Sahab.
3. There was boycott of the election to the Council.
4. Boycott of foreign goods – Foreign goods were burn after taking out a procession on 1st August 1921 in Raipur. Prabhulal Kabra and Ratnakar Jha long with their wives burnt foreign cloths. Similar programmes were organized in other places as well.
5. Khadi – Congress distributed 460 looms to the poor in 1921. On 11th October 1921 a khadi exhibition was organized in Rawanbhata. The Malgujar of Dhamtari Chhotelal Shrivastav started manufaturing khadi at his home in August 1921. In Bilaspur Devtadeen Tiwari opened a khadi shop and Kailash Saxena opened a swadeshi store near Normal School in Bilaspur.
6. Prohibition – This wa san important part of non-cooperation. People boycotted excise auctions.
7. Pt. Sunderlal Sharma started a Satyagrah ashram to train youth in satyagrah in 1921.
8. Rashtriya Schools – Rashtriya Schools were opened in Chhattisgarh ike the rest of the country for the children who left English schools.
9. Rashtriya Panchayat – After the boycott of the courts a Rashtriya Panchayat was made for easy availability of justice to people on 4th March 1921 in Raipur. Seth Jaskaran Daga was its secretary. This Panchyat worked till 15th October 1931 and disposed of 85 cases in this period.
10. Visit of National Leaders – Dr Rajendra Prasad, Chakraverty Rajgoplachari and Subhadra Kumari Chowhan visited Raipur in 1921.

Sihawa Nagri Jungle Satyagrah –

The people of Sihawa in Dhamtari protested against the begari and low wages in January 1922. The British suppressed the protest. 33 protestors were given three months and 6 were given 5 months rigorous imprisonment. The main among them were Harakhram Som, Vishanbher Patel, Panchal Singh Som and Shobharam Sahu. At thsi time all the congress men had gone to Ahmadabad to take part in the convention. When Pt. Sunderlal Sharma, Narayanrao Meghawale and Chhotelal Shrivastav returned, the people were energized but the leaders advised that the movement be kept on hold till permission was received from the central committee of the Congress. Meanwhile the forest Department accepted the demand of just wages and the movement ended. However later Pt. Sharma and Meghawale were arrested in connection with this movement.

Confrontation with the police in Raipur district convention –

Raipur district political convention was held in May 1922. This was presided over by U B Ghate the advocate from Chhindwara. It was decided that no one will be allowed to enter without a pass issued by the organizing committee. The Deputy Commissioner Clark and Police captain Jones asked for 5 free passes but their request was rejected by the committee. When one magistrate tried to enter along with police, he was stopped by Ravishankar Shukla and Wamanrao Lakhe. Shukla was arrested. The city became very tense. Next day Makhanlal Chaturvedi gave a speech and 200 people along with Dwarika Prasad Mishra courted arrest under the leadership of Sapre. When the Deputy Commissioner and Police captain wanted to enter again the next day they were stopped by Sapre who told them that the permission to enter can nly be given by the governor and secretary of the council. Clark asked who this new Governor was, to which Sapre replied that he was E Raghvendra Rao the president of the provincial Congress Committee. Clark called Rao but he refused to come. Finally both officers purchased tickets to enter the convention.

Swaraj Party and Chhattsgarh –

At the National level Motilal Nehru and Deshbandhu Chitranjan Das formed the Swaraj party to enter the council and oppose the government from within. The congress agreed to support it in elections in 1923. In the elections of 1923 ??? Ravishankar Shukla, Shivdas Daga, E Raghvendra Rao, Barrister Chhedilal etc. left the congress committee to contest elections from swaraj party. The Swaraj party won the election and Governor invited the leader of the Party Dr Munje to form the Government. Dr. Munjje refused the invitation. After this the Governor made a minority Government. In 1924 E Raghvendra Rao presented a no no confidenec motion against the minority Government which was passes after discussion by 44 votes against 24. In 1925 after the death of Deshbandhu Chitranjan Das there differences appeared in the Swaraj party and Swatanra Party was formed under E Raghvendra Rao. In 1926 Rao sahab and Barrister Chhedilal of this party won the elections. Rao sahab was first made education minister and then he also served as the Chief Minister. In 1929 after differences with Rao sahab, Chhedilal retuned to Congress. Later Rao sahab also returned to congress.

Flag Satyagrah –

Many people went to Nagpur from Chhattisgarh for thsi Satyagrah. May were arrested. March to Kakinada convention – In 1923, 25 congress workers went marching for the Kakinada convention from Dhantari.

Hindu Muslim Riot in Dhamtari –

In 1924 there was a small Hindu Muslim Riot in Dhamtari in which 3 persons from each side were injured. Pt. Sunderlal Sharma was able to broker peace quickly.

First Civil Disobedience Movement –

Like the other parts of the country the main things in this movement in Chhattisgarh were–

1. Making of salt
2. Dharna on the liquor shops and foreign goods shops by women
3. End of untouchability
4. Boycott of Government institutions

Provincial meeting was organized under the chairmanship of Seth Govinddas on 15th April in which Ravishankar Shukla broke the salt law by making salt with Hydrochloric acid and soda. Five persons are credited with running the movement systematically in Raipur. They were called the five Pandavas – Dharmaraj – Wamanrao lakhe, Bhim – Laxminarayan Mahant, Arjun – Thakur Pyarelal Sing, Nakul – Maulana Abdul Rauf and Sahdeo – Shivdas Daga. Similar movements took place in other cities as well.

Jungle Satyagrah during Civil Disobedience Movement –

After the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi the Congress decided that wherever it was not possible to make salt, other laws could be broken and forest laws should be broken in jungles. There was prohibition on the use of forest produce in Chhattisgarh so it was decided to break the forest laws. This is calledt he Jungle Satyagrah –

1. Gattasilli – In the year 1930 in Village Themli of Sihawa of Dhamtari 800 cattle were cought by the forest Department for grazing in the reserved forest. They were kept in the Gattasilli Kanji house. Narayan Meghawale, Jagtap and Chhotelal went ot Gattasilli with 25 revolutionaries. When the police tired to disperse them they laid on the ground in front of the Kanji House. The police poured boiling water on them but they did not disperse. Finally the administration returned the cattle without payment of any fine.
2. Rudri Nawagaon – It was decided to break the forest law by cutting grass from the reserve forest of Rudri Nawagaon on 22nd August 1930. The leadership of the movement was with Meghawale and Jagtap. They were arrested and section 144 was imposed in the whole area. Pt. Sharma was also arrested on way to Rudri in Abhanpur. Now the leadership came to Chhotelal who sent a group under the leadership of Govindrao Dabhawale. This group was also arrested by thepolice but 500 people collected here. Police resorted to lathi Charge. One policeman was injured after which the police fired on the crowd and one person named Sandhu Kumrah died on the spot. many were injured. One more person – Ralu among teh injured died later. The Government started the punishment of caning along with imprisonment. The Satyagrah continued. It finally ended after the Gandhi Inrvin pact of 5th March 1931.
3. Mahasamund (Tamora) and the bravery of Dayawati – A decision was taken to organize a jungle satyagrah in Mahasamund in September 1930. It was led by Shankarrao Gadhewal and Yati Yatanlal Jain. Both were arrested. One group of Satyagarhis went led by Bhagwati Prasad Mishra to Tamora. People were arrested there but the Satyagrah continued. One day a crowd of 10 thousand collected. When the sub-divisional officer M.P. Dubey stopped them a brave little girl Dayawati slapped him. There was a possibility of firing at this stage but this was prevented by the Malgujar present there.
4. Jungle Satyagrah at other places – The main among them were Labhra, Mohbana Pondi, Pondi village, Bandhakahr, Sarangarh and Udaipur.

Second Phase of Civil Disobedience Movement

After the failure of round table conference Gandhiji restarted civil disobedience movement. Government suppressed it with a heavy hand. 8 dictators were nominated in Chhattisgarhj os that the movement continues even after the leaders are arrested. These were – Pt. Ravishankar Shukla, Pt. Sunderlal Sharma, Shankarrao Ganodwale, Smt. Radhabai, Pt.Ramnarayan Mishra Harshul, Madhavprasad Parganiha, Bhamhadev Dubey and Laxmiprasad Tiwari. Shankarrao Ganodwale assumed the leadership of the movement after big leaders were arrested. he movement continued. Women also actively participated in the movement. Political prisoners asked for khadi cloths in jail for which they were whipped.

Letter bomb scheme –

Ramanarayan Harshul made a scheme to put to shame and terrorize those people who were pro-British. A thin explosive was amde by keeping phosphorus between two pieces of blotting paper. News of burns of hands and face of many people by this new method was published in many papers but this did not do any major damage to anyone. Harshul was arrested and given one year rigorous imprisonment. Balidan week or Satyagrah week was celebrated in Durg from 6th to 12th April 1932. Prisoner day was organized in Raipur on 5th August 1932. Brahmadev Dubey was also arrested in this movement.

Vanar sena in Raipur and bravery of Baliram Azad –

A 14 year old boy Baliram Azad from Brahman Para created a group of children which was known as Vanar Sena. Yati Yantanlal Jain was directing the efforts of this group. These children were used to distribute posters, pamphlets etc and also to carry messages and organise small meetings. Police used to catch them and leave them 3-4 miles outside the city so that it took almost the whole day to walk back into the city and they were not able to do their work. Later police started canning them. On 13th March Baliram Azad was canned for speaking in a public meeting. On 28th August the police resorted to Lathicharge and did not spare even the children. Baliram Azad and Ramadhar Nai were arrested and jailed for 9 months. the Azad Chow near Brahman Para is probably named after Baliram Azad. Bhagwati Charan the eldest son of Ravishankar Shukla was also associated with the Vanar Sena and was canned for distribution of matrial related to jaliyanwala Bag incident.

Khadi Suppression–

The deputy commissioner had ordered that anyone wearing Kahdi should not be spared. Some other incidents – The British had suspendedthe Raipur district council for 3 years on 11th November 1930. It was reinstated under Ravishankar Shukla on 8th March 1934. Gandhiji declared end of civil dispobedience on 7th April 1934. Pt. Nehru came to Raipur to participate in teh district council meeting on 15-16 December 1935. In 1935 Berar was included in Central provinces.

1937 elections for provincial autonomy –

Elections were held in 1937 under the Government of India Act of 1935. The Congress got majority in Central Provinces. Dr. Narayan Bhaskar Khare was elected Chief Minister of CentralProvinces on 14th July1937. Ravishankar Shukla was made the Education Minister. He started the Vidya Mandir scheme for education. On 29th July 1938, Mr. Khare had to resign due to differences in the party and Ravishankar Shukla took charge as Chief Minister. Congress Governments resigned on the direction of the Congress working committee because Government decided Indian participation in the World War without consulting the Legislative Assembly.

Chhuikhadan Jungle Satyagrah –

State Congress was established in Chhuikhadan in 1938. Jungle Styagrah was done here after this in 1938. Samaru Barai was the main leader of the movement.

Badratola Jungle Satyagrah –

State Congress was established in 1939 in Rajnadgaon after which a Jungle Satyagrah was organized in Badratola near Dongargarh. The police lathi charged unarmed adivasis. and even fired on them. 27 years old Ramadhin Gond died in this firing and many people were injured.

Individual Satyagrah –

Individual Satyagrah started in the country in October 1940 after teh call given by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji had given permission for 500 Satyagrahis out of which 50 were from Raipur. Later when permission was granted for more people out of a total of 2761 satyagrahis in Mahakoshal, 473 were from Raipur and 107 from Durg. Government suppressed the movement and arrested the Satyagrahis. The Government had to bow to the pressure of the people and an advisory council was made. After this the Government released all the Satyagrahis by December 1941.

Failure of Crips Mission and Dr. Raghvendra Rao –

Dr. Rao was member Home and defense in Government of India (Governor General’s Council) at that time. He played a major role in the failure of the Crips Mission.

Raipur Conspiracy Case

Parasram Soni who lived in Awadhiapara Raipur was the hero of this case. He learnt making and firing of pistols and revolvers from Girilal Lohar. He also learnt making of bombs. He got equipment and steel from Railway trolley maker of Bengal Nagpur Railway – Amritlal, got chemicals from Assitant sales man of C P Medical Store – Horilal and financial help from many big businessmen of Raipur. Idgahbhata and Rawanbhata area were chosen to keep the weapons but one day a bomb exploded and Mr. Pears the principal of Rajkumar College lodged a police compliant on hearing the sound. After this the owner of Oriental Hotel on Malviya Road gave space for the secret work. Shri Ranveer Shastry, Sudhir Mukherjee, Dashrathlal Dubey, Premchand Wasnik, Krantikumar Bhartiya, Kunj Bihari Chobey etc. were part of this conspiracy. In the meantime a police informer Shivnandan gave information to the police and Parasram Soni was arrested from the Road connecting Sadar Bazar with Edward Road with loaded revolver. Explosives and other illegal material was found on search of his house. After this Girilal Lohar, Dr. Sur and mangal Mistry were arrested. Next day Ranveer Shastry was also arrested. After this Sudhir Mukherjee, Surendra Nath das, Bhupendra Nath Mukherjee, Sitaram Shastry, Krishnaram Thite, Krantikumar Bhartiya, Dashrath Lal Dubey, Kunj Bihari Chowbey were arrested. Their case was fought by famous lawyers including P. Bhaduri, Beni Prasad Tiwari, Ahmad Ali, Chandorkar, Pendharkar, Chunnilal Agrawal etc. After a trial of 9 months the following sentences were passed on 27th April 1943 - Girilal – 8 years, Parasram Soni - 7 Years, Sudhir Mukherjee – 2 years, Krantikumar Bhartiya – 2 years, an a little less for others. The decision of District and Sessions judge Raipur was challenged in appeal before the Nagpur High Court. Justice Niyogi acquitted four accused out of 10. In the meantime Mr. Jaidev Kapur friend of Sardar Bhagat Singh came to Raipur and he was honoured by a public meeting in Gandhi Chowk. In this public meeting a resolution was passed requesting the Government to relase Parasram Soni and Girilal. Krantikumar Bhartiya and Sudhir Mukherjee who had been acquitted by the High Court went to Nagpur to present the resolution of the public to the Government. Chief Minister Ravishankar Shukla immediately accepted the request and released Parasram Soni and Girilal on 26th June 1946.

Quit India Movement –

After the resolution of Quit India was passe on 8th August in 1942 all the senior leaders of Chhattisgarh were arrested in Malkapur. The public was very angry because of this. All schools, colleges and markets of Raipur remained closed on 9th August. The crowd near city Kotwali was dispersed by firing in the air. A procession was taken out led by Ranveer Shastry on 10th August after which he was arrested. The movement continued in all the cities of Chhattisgarh.

Raipur Dynamite Case –

Bilakhnarayan Agrawal had come from jabalpur. He had a strong explosive with him. A plan was made with Isharicharan Shukla, Nagardas Bawaria, Narayandas Rathor and jainarayan Pandey to blow the wall of the Raipur Jail with Dynamite to help in the escape of Political prisoners. The Dynamite was put on the wall of the Jail and was ignited but it caused only minor damage. All Conspirators were arrested but latter were acquitted for lack of evidence. Ishwaricharan Shukla and Narayandas Rathor were rearrested in 1944 for cutting of telephone wires and destroying letter boxes.

Election in 1945-46 –

Elections were held again in 1946. Congress got 84 out of 112 seats in Central Provinces. Pt. Ravishankar Shukla became Chief Minister for the second time. Dwarika Prasad Mishra became the home minister. Ghansyam Gupta became the speaker of Vidhan Sabha. Thsi government immediately took action to release political prisoners, cancellation of warrants, and return of fine. Finally India got independence on 15th August 1947.

Independence day function –

Chief Minister Ravishankar Shukla hoisted the Indian Flag on the Sitabardi Fort in Nagpur. Food Minister R K Patil hoisted flag in Police Line Raipur. Ghanshyam Guta hoisted the flag in Durg and Ramgopal Tiwari in Bilaspur. Some minor fights erupted between Hindus and Muslims in Baijnath para but they were soon controlled