POONA SATYAGRAH 507
Provincial Scheduled Castes Federation Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, General Secretary of the Federation and Mr. R. R. Bhole, a former Member of the Bombay Assembly, Young girls and Women in the front carried black flags and the Federation flag. After wending its way along a circuitous route of about one and a half miles, the procession arrived at about
11 a.m. at the “boundary line” near the War Memorial.
Lathi armed police numbering over hundred and police officers, including Mr. E. A. Dodwell, A. S. P., Mr. J. Crone, Dy. S. P., and Mr. F. D. Roach, Dy. S. P., were waiting there and immediately stopped the procession.
The processionists squatted on the ground shouting Scheduled Castes Federation and other slogans. After remaining thus for about two hours, they decided to return back to the camp, and marched along the Wellesley Road back to the “ Satyagraha ” camp.
The processionists on arriving at the camp held a meeting and congratulated those who were arrested by the police.
Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, addressing the meeting, said that a beginning of their “freedom struggle” had been made to- day. The scheduled Castes, he said, were fully awake and they would not rest till they achieve their end. To-day’s Satyagraha was the beginning of a countrywide movement.
Mr. B. K. Gaikwad announced that the procession of “ Satyagrahis ” would be taken out tomorrow and every day thereafter.
The District Magistrate of Poona has issued an order to-day prohibiting carrying of sticks, knives, stones or any other missiles within the area under the Poona City Municipality, Poona suburban municipality and the Poona Cantonment Board. The order will be in force for seven days from July 15.
It is understood that the above precaution is being taken in order to avoid any untoward incidents and breach of peace and order which might happen due to the “ Satyagraha ” movement of the Scheduled Castes Federation.” [1]
1 : Jai Bheem, August 13, 1946, p. 7.