Unsung Flag Martyrs

Unsung Flag Martyrs

1930 : 5 September: Sangli district, Maharashtra

Sitaram Chambhar: Resident of v. Mangrool, distt. Sangli, Maharashtra; s/o Bhau Chambhar. The people of Bilashi village (in distt. Sangli) had uprooted a teak tree in defiance of the forest laws of the British Government, placed it near the village temple on 18 July 1930 during the Civil Disobedience movement and also hoisted the National flag on its shaft. On 5 September 1930, a band of 300 armed policemen arrived at the place to take away the National Flag. This police act was vehemently resisted by the gathering of the local people there, resulting in indiscriminate police firing. Sitaram Chambhar, a 12/13 years’ old boy was killed in that firing on the spot. [H/Poll, F.No. 18/9/30, NAI; SSC, p. 63] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 265)

1930 : 30 December: Bombay, Maharashtra

Kalishankar Bajpai: Belonged to Worli, Bombay, Maharashtra; president of Warli Youth League and a Local Labour Leader; actively participated in the Civil Disobedience movement in Bombay, December 1930; he joined the funeral procession of Babu Genu(a Congress volunteer crushed by a motor lorry loaded with foreign cloths on 12 December 1930) holding a National Flag in his hand on 13December 1930; he was badly injured when the police lathi charged the procession; he received 18 blows, including bayonet wounds; removed by the Ambulance volunteers to the Congress Free Hospital; later in the night he was shifted to the J.J. Hospital for operation of spleen. Though the operation was successful, but Kalishankar Bajpai could not survive, and died on 19 December1930. [AICC Papers, F.No. G-1(i)/1931, Roll No. 8585, NMM&L] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 124)

1931 : 30 March: East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh

The followingresident of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930). On the occasion of the Venkateswaraswami Chariot/Car Festival in Vadapalli, on 30 March 1931, along with the deity, a Tricolour flag and photos of Mahatma Gandhi, and some other national leaders adorned the car. This was objected by the Government officials, and when the procession was about to start, the Sub-Inspector of Razolu removed the portraits of the national leaders. People resented the act and refused to draw the car without the portraits. Over this issue, a riot broke out at Chinnavadapalli. Police arrested some people and lathi-charged others and the crowd retaliated by throwing stones and mud on the police. Police retaliated by indiscriminately firing on the crowd. When the police opened fire to quell it, they lost their lives.

  • Bandaru Narayanaswamy: Resident of v. Vadapalli, t. Razolu, distt. East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh; he lost his two legs in the police firing, and he breathed his last soon after he was taken home. [SMEAV, 2-10-1987, Vadapalli] (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 22)
  • Tatapati Venkataraju alias Venkatapatiraju: Resident of v. Alamur, t. Razolu, distt. East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. Belonged to Kshatriya community; he was shot while proceeding to the river bund and died immediately. [The Hindu, 30April 1931; SMEAV, 2-10-1987, Tenali] (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 229)
  • Vadapalli Gangachalam: Resident of v. Vadapalli, t. Razolu, distt. East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. Belonged to Rajaka community; received a bullet shot in the police firing and died at the time of a being taken to his house. [SMEAV, 2-10-1987, Vadapalli; WWIM, I, p. 106]. (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 245)
1932 : 11 January: Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu

Tirupur Kumaran alias O. K. S. R. Kumaraswami Mudaliar: Born on 4October 1904, resident of Odakkadu, Tirupur, distt. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu; s/o Nachimuthu Mudaliar. He took part in the Civil Disobedience movement in 1930. In January 1932, the Congress volunteers belonging to Desabandu Youth League in Tirupur took out a procession to picket the toddy shop at Tirupur main road, defying the prohibitory order in vogue. Mudaliar took an active part in the procession which started on 11 January 1932 morning from Mangala Vilas and entered into the main road. The processionists marched holding the National Flag aloft and singing patriotic songs. As they were approaching the police station on the main road, K.V. Mohmed – the Circle Inspector – with the help of policemen, prevented the processionists from proceeding further, and also ordered them to disperse. When they refused, a brutal lathi-charge was made upon them, in which Mudaliar, B.S. Sundaram andRaman Nair were seriously injured. Kumaraswami’s skull was fractured, and he fell down losing consciousness but kept the National Flag aloft, raising the nationalist slogans. The police took the badly injured Kumaraswami and others to the Government hospital in a bus. But before he could be properly treated, his condition worsened and he died the next day, 12 January 1932, at 11 a.m. at the Government hospital at the age of 27. He is remembered even today in Tamilnadu as Kodi Kaththa Kumaran (who saved the honour of our National Flag). [Pub Deptt(Confd.), G.O. (MS) No. 340,27.02.1932; FFPO No. 1844/1968,25.04.1968; Coimbatore District JailSlip No. 51, TNSAC] (ICHR, Vol. 5, pp. 238-9)

1938 : 25 April: Kolar, Mysore State (Karnataka)

Nallavenkataraya: Resident of Mysore State (now in Karnataka); aged 34.He took part in a movement for responsible government; attended a large public meeting in a garden at Vidhuraswatha village in Kolar, Mysore, held by the local Congressmen in defiance of the order which prohibited the hoisting of the National flag and holding of public gatherings. The gathering was first lathi-charged and then fired upon to disperse; Nallevenkataraya died in this police firing on 25 April 1938. [AISPC, F. No. 115, NMML; BC, 27April 1938] (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 156)

1939 : 16 July: district Simla (Shimla), Himachal Pradesh

The following persons from district Simla (Shimla), Himachal Pradesh, participated in a protest against the ruler of Dhami State, demanding the establishment of responsible government and the removal of hardship of the state’s people. When people were demonstrating with the National flag, suddenly the state police snatched it away and set it ablaze. This act of the police infuriated the agitating people and the mob became uncontrollable, resulting in the police firing on unarmed agitators. Durga Das and Uma Dutt was killed in the firing that took place on 16 July 1939.

  • Durga Das: Resident of v. Mandeya, distt. Simla, Himachal Pradesh; s/o Tohal Das; [HPKSS,p.315;SKO, pp. 3-4; Smt., pp. 1-2; HHP, P.189; SKWD, p.21; MOP, I, p. 61] (ICHR, Vol. I, Part II, p. 87)
  • Uma Dutt: Born in v. and p.o. Tangish (Kasumpati), distt. Simla, Himachal Pradesh; [HPKSS, p. 315; SKO, pp.3-4; Smt., pp. 1-2; HHP, p. 189; SKWD, p.21] (ICHR, Vol. I, Part II, p. 335)
1942 : August: Dhekiajuli, Assam

Damila Devi: A resident of Dhekiajuli, Assam; Congress activist in the Quit India movement, she sacrificed her life in the Dhekiajuli firing incident. She took part in the procession that was proceeding to Dhekiajuli Thana to hoist the Tricolour flag there. When the procession reached near the thana, it was stopped by the police. Following some argumentation, the police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the processionists. When it failed, and two of the processionsists sneaked into the thana and hoisted the Tricolour flag, the police opened fire. In this firing Damila Devi was seriously injured, and later died of her injuries in August 1942. [PHA Files, F. Nos. 11, 76/10, 76/14, 287,325, DSAA] (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 100-01)

1942 : 8 August: Dhekiajuli, Assam

Chinna Barai: Born in 1924, resident of distt. Wardha, Maharashtra. He actively participated in the Quit India movement that broke out on 8 August 1942. He succeeded in hoisting the National Flag on the office of the Wardha Collector by replacing the Union Jack during the movement. He was arrested for his anti-British act and imprisoned. He died in detention on account of severe physical tortures in 1944 [H/Deptt (spl), F.No. 1110 (6) A (i), 1942-43, MSAM; EISF, pp. 25-26] (ICHR, Vol. 3, pp. 52-3)

1942 : 8 August: Kaira (Kheda) district, Gujarat

Manubhai Patel: Born on 29 July 1930at v. & teh. Chaklashi, distt. Kaira (Kheda), Gujarat; s/o Ishwarbhai Patel. Educated up to the second standard, he joined the Quit India movement that was started on 8August 1942. While taking part in a highly charged demonstration (asking the British to leave India) at his native village, holding the national flag in his hand in August1942, he was killed in the police firing on the demonstration. [H/Deptt(spl), F.No. 1110(109) E, 1942,MSAM; WWIM, I, p.268] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 163)

1942 : 8 August: Surat, Gujarat

Shrish Kumar: Born on 28 December 1926 in Surat City, Gujarat. A student, he actively took part in the Quit India agitation when it broke out on 8 August 1942. He prepared and distributed anti-Government pamphlets and also organized resistance against the repressive acts of the British police. The students’ procession that he was leading through Nandurbar town on 10 August 1942 was lathi-charged by the police at Mangal Bazar. Defying the police lathi blows and despite their ordering the procession not to move further, the students kept marching on. The police resorted to firing at Manek Chowk on the processionists in which Shrish Kumar received bullet wound while trying to shield the girl-students being shot at by the police gunmen. He died holding the National Flag in hand. [H/Deptt(spl), F.No. 1110 (109) G, 1942-43,MSAM; WWIM, I, p.338] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 262)

1942 : 8 August 1942 : Nagpur, Maharashtra

Sakharam Matewar: Resident of distt. Nagpur, Maharashtra. He actively took part in the Quit India movement that was launched on 8 August 1942. He was shot and killed by the police in an attempt at hoisting the National Flag on a Government building in Nagpur in August 1942. [H/Deptt (spl), F.No. 1110 (6) A (i)I, 1942, MSAM; WWIM, I, p.219] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 242)

1942: 9 August: Satara, Maharashtra

Ramu Krishna Sutar: Resident of Satara, Maharashtra; the Gandhian slogan ‘Do or Die’ and the Quit India slogan so aroused the whole country that Ramu Krishna Sutar had no hesitation in taking part in the August Kranti of 1942 in Khatav taluk, Satara.On 9 September 1942 he joined a demonstration of more than 2000 under the leadership Parshuram Gharge. Singing patriotic songs and shouting nationalist slogans, it marched on to hoist the tricolor flag on the Cutcherry building. The marchers were stopped by the Mamlatdar and the police officials, and on refusal to disperse, they were fired upon. The firing resulted in the death of nine persons and Ramu Krishna was one among them. [H/Poll, F.Nos. 18/9/42 and3/30/42, NAI; TOI (B), 15/9/42, NMM&L; PGS, pp.89-90 and p.437] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 231)

1942: 11 August: Patna district, Bihar

The following students joined a large aggressive crowd that had assembled at the gate of Patna Secretariat for hoisting the Tricolour Flag on the Secretariat building on 11 August 1942. When the police opened fire, they received severe bullet injuries and succumbed to these at Patna General Hospital the same day.

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  • Devipada Choudhary: Resident of v. Jamalpur, p.s. Vishwanath, Bihar; s/o Devender Nath Choudhary. He was a student of 9th standard at Miller High School, Patna. [Memo. No. 1940/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; AK, p. 410; BMSAI.3, p. 42; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 106)
  • Jagpati Kumar: Resident of v. Kharati, p.s. Obara, distt. Gaya, Bihar; s/o Sukhraj Bahadur. A student in the 2nd year in B.N. College, Patna [Memo. No. 1940/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942; WWIM, I, p. 186; AK, p.410; BMSAI. 3, p. 42] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 171)
  • Rajendra Singh: Resident of v. Banwari-chak, p.s. Sonepur, distt. Saran, Bihar; s/o Shiv Narain Singh. A student of the 10th standard of Patna High School [Memo. No. 1940/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942; WWIM, I, p. 340; AK, p. 410; BMSAI,3, p. 43] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 332)
  • Ram Govind Singh: Resident of v. Dashrath, p.s. Phulwari, distt. Patna, Bihar; s/o Devki Singh. A student of the 10th standard of Punpun High School [Memo. No. 1940/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942; WWIM, I, p. 291; AK, p.410; BMSAI, 3, p. 43] (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 335-6)
  • Ramanand Singh: Resident of v. Shahadatnagar, p.s. Masaudhi, distt. Patna, Bihar; s/o Laxman Singh. A student of class 10 of Ram Mohun Roy Seminary School, Patna, [Memo. No. 1940/SB,38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No.43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942; WWIM, I, p. 340; AK, p. 410; BMSAI,3, p. 42] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 340)
  • Satish Prasad Jha: Resident of v. Kharhara, p.s. Banka, distt. Bhagalpur, Bihar; s/o Jagdish Prasad Jha. A student of the 10th class in Patna Collegiate School [Memo. No.1940/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942; WWIM, I, p. 154; AK, p.410; BMSAI, 3, p. 42] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 377)
  • Umakant Prasad Singh: Resident of v. Narendrapur, Darauli, Saran (now in distt. Siwan), Bihar; s/o Ram Kumar Sinha. A student of class 10th of Ram Mohun Roy Seminary School, Patna, [Memo. No. 1940/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, Patna; The Searchlight, 12 August 1942; WWIM, I, p. 341; AK, p. 410; BMSAI, 3, p. 42] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 432)
1942: 14 August: Shahabad district, Bihar

The following activists of the Quit India movement, took part in a procession that was proceeding towards the bungalow of the Sasaram SDO. The processionists were raising anti-British slogans and holding a Tricolour Flag. When the ‘Tommies’ obstructed them and opened fire near Sasaram Dharmshala, they received bullet injuries and died on the spot on 14 August 1942.

  • Jagannath Rai/Ram Paneri: Resident of v. Damanpur, p.s. Sasaram, distt. Shahabad, Bihar; s/o Ghummun Paneri. [Memo. No. 2674/SB, 38(1), 52, (Secret), Bihar Special Branch CID, 5 February 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP;AK, pp. 97 & 411] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 169)
  • Jai Ram Singh (Yadav): Resident of v. Kaup, p.s. Vikram, distt. Shahabad, Bihar. [Memo. No. 2674/SB, 38(1), 52 (Secret), Bihar Special Branch CID, 5 February 1953,S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; AK, pp. 97 & 411; WWIM, I, p. 379] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 173)
  • Mahngu Ram Pasi: Resident of m. Alamganj, p.s. Sasaram, distt. Shahabad, Bihar. [Memo No. 2674/SB, 38(1), 52, (Secret), Bihar Special Branch CID, 5 February 1953,S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; AK, p. 97; WWIM, I, p.198] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 241)
1942: 15 August: Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh
  • Lachhanpati Koiri: Hailed from v. Navada, P.O. Indara, distt. Azamgarh, the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). In the wake of the ‘Quit India’ movement, the police inspector and the force under him at the Madhuban police station had been ordered to raid the Congress office in Dubari Division, put down the National flag flying over it and destroy everything within. This incident on 13 August 1942 inflamed the sentiments of the people and they started gathering near the police station on 15 August1942 from every part of the district. The demonstrators thereafter sought the Thana in-Charge’s permission for hoisting the National flag on the top of the police station, which he curtly refused on the pretext of the District Magistrate’s presence inside. When the agitators’ request was thus turned down, they expressed their displeasure by pelting stones on the Thana edifice and were fired upon bythe police from inside the building. In this firing many people were shot dead and Lachhanpati Koiri happened to be one among those who had been killed on the spot.[ H/poll, F.No. 3/30/42, NAI; BCA, p. 124;SSKS, 27, pp. ma, ya, ra la; WWIM, I,p.182] (ICHR, Vol. 2, Part II, p. 2)
1942: 15 August: Gaya district, Bihar
  • Ram Krit Singh: Resident of v. Kohra-Ranipur, p.s. Arwal, distt. Gaya (now in distt. Arwal), Bihar. During the Quit India movement, he participated in the raid on Arwal Police Station and was shot and critically injured while trying to hoist the Tricolour Flag on it on 15 August 1942.He died in the Paliganj Hospital the same day. [Memo. No. 2456/SB/38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 2 February 1953, S. No.43, Freedom Movement in Bihar; Poll/Special, F. No. 273/1946, BSAP; AK, p. 413] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 336)
  • Shyam Bihari Prasad (Lal): Resident ofv. Benipur, p.s. Kurtha, distt. Gaya, Bihar; s/o Mahavir Prasad. He actively participated in the Quit India movement. When he was leading a procession for hoisting the Tricolour Flag at Kurtha Thana building on 15 August 1942, the police amadar attacked him with a sharp weapon (garasha). He was seriously wounded in the attack and died in a hospital. [Memo No. 2456/SB/38(1),52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna(Secret), 2 February 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; Bihar Legislative Assembly Debates,2 July, 1946, Vol. 1, No. 30, pp. 1658-59; WWIM, I, p. 278-279] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 390)
1942: 16 August: Siwan district, Bihar

The following persons sacrificed their life in the Maharajganj firing incident during the Quit India movement. They were killed in the police firing while attempting to hoist the Tricolour flag on Maharajganj Thana building on 16 August 1942.

  • Bhrigunath Thakur: Resident of v. Daraundha Pipra, p.s. Maharajganj, Saran (now in distt. Siwan), Bihar; s/o Gokhul Thakur. [Memo. No. 2081/SB,38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CIDPatna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No.43, Freedom Movement in Bihar,BSAP; Poll/Special (Confd.), F. No.378/1946, BSAP; AK, p. 423] (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 65-6)
  • Chandrama Prasad: Resident of Mahuari, p.s. Maharajganj, Saran (now in distt. Siwan), Bihar; s/o Amar Mahto. [Memo. No. 2081/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No.43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; AK, p. 423] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 92)
  • Deo Saran Singh: Resident of v. SihautaBangra, p.s. Maharajganj, Saran (nowin distt. Siwan), Bihar; s/o Ram Asis Singh. He recieved bullet wounds in the firing by the police on 16 August 1942. He died after 16 days at Siwan Hospital. [Memo. No. 2081/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar,BSAP; Poll/Special (Confd.), F. No.378/1946, BSAP; WWIM, I, p. 88; AK, p. 419] (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 105-06)
  • Phulena Prasad/ (Gopinath) Shrivastava: Resident of Pachlakhi, p.s. Maharajganj, Saran (now in distt. Siwan) Bihar; s/o Bindhyachal Prasad. A Smarak stands now in the name of Gopinath Shrivastava on the site. [Memo. No. 2081/SB,38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No.43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; Poll/Special (Confd.), F. No.378/1946, BSAP; WWIM, I, p. 274;AK, p. 413] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 309)
  • Shublal Prasad: Belonged to Juaphar, p.s. Basantpur, Saran (now in distt. Siwan), Bihar; s/o Sitalal Prasad. [Memo. No. 2081/SB, 38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 27 January 1953, S. No. 43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; Poll/Special (Confd.),F. No. 378/1946, BSAP; AK, p. 423] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 389)
1942: 16 August: Wardha district, Maharashtra

Udebhan Kubade: Born in 1907 at v. Wadala, distt. Wardha, Maharashtra; s/o Domaji Kubade; agriculturist; took an active part in the Quit India movement starting from 8 August 1942 in Maharashtra on the nation-wide call of Mahatma Gandhi; joined the anti-British demonstration which hoisted the tricolour flag over the Ashti police station on 16 August 1942; received severe bullet wounds in the police firing on it and died on the same day. [H/Poll, F.No. 18/8/42, NAI; WWIM, I, p.185] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 284)

1942: 17 August: Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh

Munna alias Nirmal: Belonged to v. Mohammadpur, P.O. Indra, distt. Azamgarh, the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh); s/o Banshibhar/ Banshidhar. In accordance with the sabotage plan for the ‘Quit India’ movement, the agitators from Kopa Division attacked the Indra railway station, unfurled the National flag there, and destroyed official documents on 17 August 1942. This twelve years old boy was killed on the spot on that day when the police fired on the agitators indiscriminately. [H/poll, F.No. 3/30/42, NAI; BCA, p. 125; SSKS, 27, pp. la & wa; WWIM, I, p.239] ] (ICHR, Vol. 2, Part II, p. 111)

1942: 22 August: Munger district, Bihar

Uchit Singh: Resident of tola Ismailpur, v. Bihat, p.s. Teghra, distt. Munger, Bihar; s/o Darogi Singh. He took active parts in both Civil Disobedience movement of 1930 and the Quit India movement of 1942. He was killed on the spot in the police firing at Bihat while holding Tricolour Flag in his hands on 22August 1942. [Memo. No. 4810/SB,38(1), 52, Bihar Special Branch CID Patna (Secret), 10 March 1953, S. No.43, Freedom Movement in Bihar, BSAP; WWIM, I, p. 340; AK, p. 416; BMSAI, 3, p. 144] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 430)

1942: 23 August: Munger district, Bihar

Ram Lakhan Singh: Belonging to distt. Munger, Bihar, he took an active part in the Civil Disobedience movement as a Congress worker. He was arrested when trying to prevent the police from snatching away the Tricolour flag from the Satyagraha Shivir at Balia (district Munger). In course of the ensued scuffle with the police, he was seriously wounded. He was tried and sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment. He, however, died on 23 August 1930 in jail on account of the injuries already sustained. [H/Poll, F. No. 252/1/1930, NAI; BMSAI, 1, p. 122] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 336)

1942: 20 September: Sangli district, Maharashtra

Umashankar Pandya: Born in September 1918 at v. & teh. Kamptee, distt. Nagpur; resident of Kirloskarwadi, distt. Sangli, Maharashtra; s/o Revashanakar Pandya and Smt. Gopti Bai. A Mechanical engineer in the Kirloskar factory, he actively participated in the ‘Quit India’ movement that commenced on 8 August 1942. He was one of the organizers of a public gathering that successfully hoisted the National Flag on the Mamlatdar’s office at Tasgaon on 3 September 1942. On 8 September 1942, he inspired his fellow factory workers to raise the demand for the British ouster from India and led a march of 400 of his comrades to the Islampur Cutcherry. Seeing the Superintendent of Police already present there along with the armed forces, Pandya went over to persuade him not to give the order of firing on the demonstrators. The Superintendent not only refused, but he himself fired Pandya to kill him on the spot. In the honour of his memory, a memorial was set up at Kirloskarwadi in 1957. [H/Deptt (spl), F.No. 1110 (61) VII, 1942, MSAM; TOI, (B) 17/9/1942, NMM&L; WWIM, II, p.233; SSCK,p.393; SJS, p.63; MRG, p.255; PGS, pp.90-94] (ICHR, Vol. 3, p. 285)

1942: 20 September: Dhekiajuli, Assam

The following persons sacrificed their lives in the Dhekiajuli firing incident during the Quit India movement. They took part in a procession that was proceeding towards Dhekiajuli Thana on 20 September 1942 to hoist the Tricolour flag atop it. When the procession reached the thana, the crowd explained to the police the purpose of the procession. While some argument was taking place, Mahi Bora, the officer in charge of the police, suddenly ordered, first a lathi charge, and then the firing, especially after his discovery of the sneaking processionists’ success in hoisting the Tricolour flag above the thana building. The following people died in the police firing on that day, while others succumbed to their injuries within a few days: [PHA Files F. Nos. 11, 76/14,325, DSAA]

  • Dayal Panika: Hailing from Assam (20 September 1942), (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 102)
  • Golapi Devi: Resident of Dhekiajuli, Assam; (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 134)
  • Kahili Nath: from Dhekiajuli, Assam; (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 190)
  • Kundu Kachari: a resident of Dhekiajuli, Assam (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 217)
  • Lerela Kachari: Hailed from Assam, residence not known (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 229-30)
  • Mahiram Koch: Hailing from Assam, resident not known. (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 240)
  • Manbar Nath: Hailed from Dhekiajuli, Assam (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 244)
  • Mangal Kurki: Hailing from Dhekiajuli, Assam. (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 243-4)
  • Mani Kachari: Hailing from Dhekiajuli, (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 247)
  • Numali Nath: Hailed from Dhekiajuli, Assam (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 294-5)
  • Sam Nath Sutia: Resident of Dhekiajuli,distt. Sonitpur, Assam. (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 265-6)
  • Tileswari Koch: Residence not known. (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 425)
  • Tulavi Devi: Inhabitant of Dhekiajuli, distt. Sonitpur, Assam. (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 427)
1942: 20 September : Sonitpur district, Assam
  • Kanaklata Barua: Resident of Gahpur, distt. Sonitpur, Assam, Kanaklata was a young patriotic girl who sacrificed her life for the cause of her motherland at the age of 16. During the Quit India movement on 20 September 1942, Kanaklata, along with ten girls, was at the head of a procession that was proceeding to hoist the Tricolour flag at Gahpur Thana. When the procession was stopped, Kanaklata with the Tricolour flag in her hands requested the Police officer in-charge to allow the women processionists to go in and hoist the flag peacefully. But the Officer would not give in, and Kanaklata said, “At least you allow us the womenfolk to go into the thana compound. We will not create any trouble. We will simply hoist the flag and come out”. To this, the Officer said: “If you advance one step more, we will fire”. But the threat could not dissuade the determined processionists and they went ahead. Immediately, one gunshot was fired without any warning. The shot hit the chest of Kanaklata and she dropped down, telling the policemen: “I will do my duty (hoisting the flag at any cost), you do your duty”. She indeed did her duty unfailingly. [PHA Files, F. Nos.11, 76/14, 287, 325, DSAA] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 199)
  • Mukundaram Kakati: Hailing from Assam, residence not known he was a Congress activist in the Quit India movement. On 20 September 1942, a huge procession was taken out at Gahpur to hoist the Tricolour Flag at the Gahpur Thana, which Mukundaram Kakati joined enthusiastically. When the procession reached the thana, the thana-in-charge prevented the processionists from entering inside and warned; “If you advance one step more, we will fire”. But the threat could not dissuade the people from their objective and they moved forward in the face of the police firing. The police’s first shot killed Kanaklata Barua - a young girl, and the second pierced through Khargeswar Baru’s shoulder and struck the head of Kakati. But he did not die on the spot and could have been saved, had Mr. Munroe, the manager of Daflagarh T.E. not stopped the people carrying Kakati on the way, brought them back one mile on foot and then lifted him up in his car and drove to his garden, causing jerks to the seriously wounded man. The Gahpur Local Board doctor was present at the time of firing, but he did not render any first aid to the victim. When people went to call him, he mysteriously disappeared. Kakati actually died more for willful neglect rather than of his bullet injury. [PHA Files, F.Nos. 11, 76/14, 287, 325, DSAA] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 269)
1942: 29 September: Midnapore, (West Bengal)

The following activists of the Quit India movement of 1942 for forcing the British to leave India, took part in its raid on Mahishadal Thana for occupying it and hoisting the Tricolour Flag on it. In the firing by the armed police to stem the raid, thye died of severe bullet injuries on 29 September 1942.

  • Ashutosh Kuila: Belonged to v. Madhabpur p.s. Mahishadal, Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, TSSICC, MSS, NMML; Mrityunjayee, p. 31] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 27)
  • Dwarika Nath Sahu: Inhabitant of v. Tajpur, p.s. Mahishadal, Tamluk Sub-Divison, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F. No. 34 ,hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 119)
  • Gunadhar Handa Khakda: Belonged to Nandigram, Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); [AICC Papers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 142)
  • Haricharan Das: A resident of Baxi Chak, Mahishadal, Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); [AICC Papers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 152)
  • Jogendra Nath Das: Born in 1907 at v.Sundra, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); s/o Kailash Chandra Das. [AICC Paper, F.No. 34, TSSICC, MSS Section, NMML; Poll (Confd.), F. No.253/43, WBSAK; Charitabhidhan, I, p. 444] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 184)
  • Khudiram Bera: Hailed from v. Chingur-mari, p.s. Mahishadal Sub-Division,Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); a member of Bidyut Bahini [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, hand-written account ofBanamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC,MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 209)
  • Panchanan Das: Belonged to v. Hari-khali, Mahishadal, Tamluk Sub-Division, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F. No. 34,hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS,NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 299)
  • Prafulla Kumar Bag: Hailing from Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); a member of Bidyut Bahini. [AICCPapers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 314)
  • Prasanna Kumar Bhuiyan: Hailed from v. Rajarampur, Mahishadal, Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 316-7)
  • Rakhal Chandra Samanta: Belonged to v. Khagaz, p.s. Mahishadal, Tamluk Sub-Division, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); a member of Bidyut Bahini. [AICC Papers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC,MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 333)
  • Sudhir Chand Hajra: Born in 1915 in v. Karak, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); s/o Goshtha Behari Hajra; political worker. [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, TSSICC, MSS, NMML; Poll/(Confd.) F. No. 253/43, WBSAK & Charitabhidhan, 1, 580] (ICHR, Vol. 4, pp. 402-3)
  • Surendranath Maity: A resident of v. Sundara, Mahishadal Thana, Tamluk, Midnapore Bengal (now in West Bengal); a member of Bidyut Bahini. [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, hand-written account ofBanamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC,MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 413)
  • Surendranath Maity: Inhabitant of v. Gopalpur, Mahishadal Thana, Tamluk, Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal); a member of Bidyut Bahini. [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC,MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 413)
1942: 30 September: Midnapore, (West Bengal)

The following activists of the Quit India movement of 1942 for forcing the British to leave India, took part in its raid on Tamluk Thana in Midnapore district, Bengal (now in West Bengal) and were killed in indiscriminate police firing while attempting to occupying the Tamluk Thana on 30 September 1942 and hoisting the Tricolour flag on it.

  • Bepin Bihari Mandal: An inhabitant ofv. Putputia in Tamluk, distt. Midna-pore, Bengal (now in West Bengal) [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, hand-written account ofBanamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC,MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 154)
  • Bhusan Chandra Jana: Belonged to v. Paikpadi, Tamluk Sub-Divison, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 68)
  • Chandramohan Dinda: Hailed from Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal), a member of Bidyut Bahini [AICC Papers, F.No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 92)
  • Purna Chandra Jana: Belonged to Rishi of Mahishadal, Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F. No. 34, hand-written account of Banamali Maity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS, NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 321)
  • Purnachandra Maity: An inhabitant of Ghatowal, Tamluk, distt. Midnapore, Bengal (now in West Bengal). [AICC Papers, F. No.34, hand-written account of BanamaliMaity, pp. 16-19, TSSICC, MSS,NMML] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 321-2)
1942: 10 October: Nayagada State, Orissa (Odisha)

Daya Behera: Resident of the erstwhile Nayagada State, Orissa (Odisha), he actively participated in the Quit India movement of 1942. On 10 October 1942, he joined the demonstrators marching towards the police station for raising the Tricolour flag on it. The demonstrators were forced to disperse by the police and many were arrested in this connection, including Daya Behera. Sent to jail, he could not bear the police atrocities there and died within few days of his arrest. [H/Poll, F. No. 3/30/42,NAI; SSOAS, p. 98; SSBS, II, 175;WWIM, II, p. 30] (ICHR, Vol. 4, p. 92)

1946: 29 July: Warangal district, (Telangana)

The following two brothers, residents of Warangal City, teh. & distt. Warangal, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana) hoisted the Indian flag on 29 July 1946 in Warangal City, and resisted the Razakar attempts to remove the flag. While fighting against the combined attack of the Razakars and the Nizam’s Police, They lost their life and became a martyr for the cause of responsible government in the Hyderabad State.

  • Padamati Mala Kanakayya: s/o Krishnamma. An Arya Samajist and a Congress man, he established a gymnasium to train the youth. [WWFSAP, III, p.291; WWIM, II, p. 227] (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 169)
  • Padamati Mallayya: s/o Krishnamma. A labourer and a Congress worker, he took part in the popular movement against the autocratic rule in Hyderabad State. He assisted his brother, Padamati Mala Kanakayya, in organising and training the youth of his town for defence against the Razakars. [WWFSAP, III,p. 298; WWIM, II, p. 227] (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 169)
1946: 11 August: Warangal (Telangana)

Veerabattina Mogalayya: Resident of Warangal proper, distt. Warangal, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana); a political worker, he took part in the annual session of the Andhra Saraswat Parishat held in the Warangal Fort in 1944. There he lost his leg while resisting the attack by the communal elements on the conference workers. Later, he hoisted the Indian National Flag on 11 August 1946, on the Warangal Fort in spite of the threats of the Razakars. For this act, Mogalayya was later killed by the Razakars in front of his helpless mother witnessing this ghastly tragedy. [WWFSAP, III, p. 303; WWIM, II, p. 340]. (ICHR, Vol. 5, p. 250)

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