Unsung Heroines - V

The Women Fighters of Raipur

In the previous issue, we narrated the story of Dr. Radhabai of Chhattisgarh, which will be incomplete without mentioning the very strong and dedicated women leaders of the area who had emerged due to her efforts. In all forms of the Gandhian movement, Khadi, preaching Charkha-Sabhas in temples, untouchability removal, Swadeshi, anti-alcoholism, women’s awakening, etc. these women had been foremost. A very strong women’s force of Sewadal Sevikas was created here, such that Mahatma Gandhi selected women as his Hirawal Dasta for picketing and closing breweries in the area. Dr. Radhabai’s friends Kektibai Baghel, Phoolkunwar Bai Srivastava, Pochibai, Rukminibai, Parvatibai, Rohinibai Pargniha, Jamuna bai, etc. led this movement. They didn’t slacken the picketing, even though assaulted physically by the police.

The Raipur women were foremost in production and selling of Khadi. The Dev Temple of Raipur had converted into a Satyagrah centre, with Jaitusav Math of Mahant Laxminarayan Das as the largest of such centres. Even during Ekadashi Katha, the National movement was preached and women taught Charkha. Smt. Gauraparvatibai, the elderly mother of Mahantji used to bless women before going to Congress processions, led by Mrs. Anjanibai (wife of Nandkumar Dani), Rajnibai, Phoolkunwar Bai and Jankibai Pandey. Another large centre was the Budhapara ka Bara of Pt. Vaman Rao Lakhe. Pt. Ravi Shankar’s wife Mrs. Bhavanibai Shukla ran this centre with Indirabai Lakhe, Umabai Gaekwad and Mrs. Kashibai Shukla ran this centre with Indirabai Lakhe, Umabai Gaekwad and Mrs. Kashibai leading the processions. The Kamasipara Laxminarayan temple was also a big centre led by Rukminibai Tiwari, alongwith Annapurna Devi Shukla, Sushilabai Gujratin, Gomtibai Marwarin, Ambikabai Pateria and Yashodhabai Gangele. One more centre was at Dr. Radhabai’s house at Tatyapara opposite the Mominpara masjid. Due to the location Muslim women could also come there. Mrs. Parvatibai Ganodwale, Rohnibai, Krishnabai, Sitabai (Khamtarai), Rajkunwarbai and Sitabai Baghel were prominent here. From these centres, besides Charkha, regular Prabhatpheries were taken out going for cleaning Harijan Bastis, adult education was conducted and anti-Pardah activities were held. Motilal Kothari’s compound in Kamasipura held some very large women’s meetings. Women had given all their ornaments for Harijan fund here in Gandhiji’s meeting. Jethabai’s Swarnkars wife’s ring (costing Rs. 15 then) was auctioned by Gandhiji for Rs. 501. These exemplary women from Raipur have taken a frontal part in each Satyagrah from 1930-1942.

-Dr. Jaya Shukla