POONA SATYAGRAH 517
Messrs Joharilal, Sewaram, Gopichand, Bijipat Ramjee Basti. The ‘Harijan’ Minister Mr. Girdharilal accompanied by the City Magistrate persuaded the Satyagrahis to stop Satyagraha but soon came to know what little respect he could command from his community people.” [1]
S. C. Satyagraha Continues in U. P.
April 21st, 1947
Today the Satyagraha entered into 27th day. Upto this time 1285 Satyagrahis have been arrested. The Satyagrahis are pouring from different districts of the Province. Agra, Aligarh, and Cawnpore are laeding.
The first batch of 35 led by Mr. Kesarlal from Agra were arrested near the Chauk bazar. This batch includes
17 ladies also. When the Satyagrahis reached the Chauk Bajar, Police whose number was more than the Satyagrahis, made a lathi charge upon the non-voilent and peaceful Satyagrahis, as a result of which the Dictator Mr. Kesar Lal along with his daughter was seriously injured. One other Satyagrahi namely Mr. Baboolal also received serious injuries upon his head. He fell on the ground and became unconcious. The police removed him in that condition to the police station nearby. 2nd batch of 46 led by Sarvadanandji were arrested near the Kaisarbagh. Third and Fourth of 25 each were arrested near Aminabad. These batches were led by Mr. Rajaram and Ramjilal. Fifth batch of
23 were arrested near Lotuche Road. This was led by Mr. Walchandji from Agra.
There is a great resentment about the police lathi-charge amongst the Scheduled Castes people.
The news about the bad treatment and keeping Mr. Rajbhoj, the General Secretary of All India Scheduled Castes Federation, Mr. Tilakchand Kuriel the President of the U. P. Scheduled Castes Federation and other leaders like Mr. Gopichand from Agra and
1 : Jai Bheem, 27 April 1947, P. 1 and 7.