Remembering Principal Chhabil Das and Sita
Devi by daughter Manorma Dewan- through Two Books
1.
Inqlabi Yatra(Revolutionary
Journey)-Hindi, Manorma Diwan, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 2006, pages 144,
price 55/Rupees
A well-known
journalist herself, Manorma Diwan is daughter of great freedom fighter
couple-Principal Chhabil Das and Sita Devi. Her husband Dewan Birendernath was
also a well-known journalist and Urdu novelist with literary name of Zafar
Pyami. Manorma Diwan wrote two books on his family’s role in freedom struggle
in Hindi. One-Inqlabi Yatra-Revolutionary Journey was published by National
Book Trust (NBT) in 2006. This book is biography of her both parents. In 2006
itself, Remadhav, a new publisher of Hindi published her memoirs of freedom
struggle days under the title-Azadi ki Basti-Lane of Freedom.
This biography is divided into fifteen
small chapters and does not follow the normal pattern of biographies, it is
based more on memoirs of those days and in scattered manner. First
chapter-Bannu se Dehradun also does not fall in the normal pattern of chronology.
It describes how the atmosphere of Lahore, where the family lived in Lajpat Rai
Bhavan of Servants of People’s society. Servants of People’s Society was formed
by Lala Lajpat Rai in November 1921, before the arrest of Lala Lajpat Rai on 3rd
December of same year.Chhabil Das had become life member of the society and was
paid one hundred rupees honorarium per month for working full time for the
society and living in society house. Chhabil Das services were given to
National College, set up by Lala Lajpat Rai in May 1921, where he was teaching
before taking over as Principal in 1922. Only in passing reference author has
referred that her father Chhabil Das belonged to District Bannu of North West
Frontier Province (NWFP), now renamed as Khyber Pakhtunva in Pakistan, from
where he came to Lahore. She refers to her mother Sita Devi belonging to
Dehradun, where her father Acharya Ramdev was teacher in Gurukul Kangri. In the
very first chapter author refers to Bhagat Singh, being the favourite student
of Chhabil Das, who used to call him ‘Guru ji’, he was just six years younger
to his teacher. Bhagat Singh had objected to Chhabil Das marriage as he thought
that by marrying, he would not be able to teach the lesson of revolution to his
students. Chhabil Das, along with Professor Brijnarain of Economics and BPL
Bedi, father of actor Kabir Bedi, used to go to villages to hold schools for
peasants and explain them meaning of socialism. Chhabil Das was also made
editor of Lala Lajpat Rai’’s Urdu daily ‘Bande Matram’ from Lahore. Author’s
mother had Vishard degree in Sanskrit and taught for some time in Dev Samaj
College Lahore.
In second chapter
Jailon ke sathi-Comrades of jails-Sitadevi remained many times in jails,
including during 1942 Quit India movement. Savitri Devi, wife of former Punjab
Chief minister Comrade Ramkrishan, her daughter and author’s sister
Vijya(Chauhan), Satyavati-mother of former Vice President of India Krishan Kant
and more. Sita Devi learnt English during her jail stay and participated in
many agitations inside jail itself, including putting up national flag on jail
gate in the dead of night. Comrade BPL Bedi has mentioned in his memoirs that
how they had organised peasant school in Bhagat Singh’s village chak no. 105 in
Lyallpur district on 23rd March-martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh in
1935. These schools were held in different villages and sometimes leaders of
Ghadar party like Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna and baba Karam Singh also used to
join these schools. Author refers to Comrade Ramchand as Chacha ji(Uncle), who
was close comrade of Bhagat Singh in forming Naujwan Bharat Sabha and who has
written very important books on revolutionary movement. Chhabil Das has joined
national movement, when he was doing his M.A. degree course in Dyal Singh
College Lahore. Next chapter is focussed on Secularism-Nationalism and
ideological commitment. In this chapter author has mentioned that while her
father came from Sanatan Dharm background, but became atheist, her mother came
from more rational background of Arya Samaj at that time. In this chapter
author depicts some background of her father’s birth place, NWFP was formed by
Lord Curzon in 1904-5 as separate state from Sindh. Author has also mentioned
the sad killing of her Uncle Master Bhavani Das and Prof. Brijnarain-both of
them has decided to stay back in post partition Lahore in Pakistan. In next
chapter-Fearless fighters-author has depicted the personality features f her
parents, both were fearless before British colonialists. One specific chapter
is devoted to National College, Bhagat Singh and Naujwan Bharat Sabha. Chhabil
das taught English in college and later he became Principal of college. Young
students of his college including Bhagat Singh organised Naujwan Bharat Sabha
and Chhabil Das wrote many booklets for them like- Chingaria, Inqlabi Sharare,
Socialism, Inqlab Zindabad, Hum Swaraj kyon Chahte Hain in Urdu. In this
chapter mention is made of Bhagat Singh’s reading habit, he devoured books in
Dwarka Das library and one of his most favourit book was Carlyle’s ‘Cry for
Justice’, his other favourite being Dan Breen’s-My fight for Irish
freedom(Bhagat Singh translated this book in Hindi actually) and Heroes of
Russia.Manorma Diwan refers to two groups in Naujwan Bharat Sabha at that time.
One supporting Irish line and the other supporting Soviet model. Bhagat Singh
was part of Irish group, but later he promoted Soviet model most and renamed
HRA into HSRA. Author refers to last meeting of Bhagat Singh and Chhabil Das in
January 1929 at Calcutta, where both had gone for 1928 Congress session. They
met at the house of Seth Chhaju Ram, where Bhagat Singh was staying at that
time. Naujwan Bharat Sabha was formed on Italy’s Young Italy of Gari Baldi and
was called Young India Association first, later it got this name after
discussing many more names-Tarun Bharat Sangh, Anjuman Naujwan-e-Hind etc.
First meeting in this regard was held in National College itself in 1924, it
was decided to use Hindustani language for its functioning.
In next chapter author focuses on Lala
Lajpat Rai and Servants of People’s Society. Chhabil Das was influenced most by
Lala Lajpat Rai and remained in close contact with him. He preferred Urdu daily
Bande Matram than English weekly The People, also brought out by Lalaji. Jamna
Das Akhtar was his collegue in Bande Matram.
Dwarka Das Library was another institution built by Lala Lajpat Rai,
where he donated five thousand of his own books first. This was the place used
most by revolutionaries. There is some contradiction in reference to Bhagat
Singh’s admission to National college, it is written that he was only tenth and
not Inter, yet he was given admission in BA Hons, at another place it is
written that he was ninth pass and given admission in Inter/BA, but he passed
Inter and than jumped into revolutionary activities. But his command over
English is underlined in both references, he was interviewed for admission by
Bhai Permanand and Chhabil Das and lot many questions were asked on History and
Bhagat Singh replied in English, impressing the selectors. In
chapter-Revolutionary Pen-author has listed some of Chhabil Das books and
pamphlets, apart from mentioned earlier, he wrote-Bhukha Bahisht-Hungry
Heaven-on Kangra’s beautiful place. Biggest sin of the wordl-Poverty, Few
conversations with youth, Indian peasant, Greatest man of the world, Message of
twentieth century, How India was enslaved, Wealth of nations, Blowing hot and
cold and few more, all in Urdu. Chhabil Das was propaganda secretary of Punjab
Congress party during 1926 to 1934. Comrade Sohan Singh Josh was general
secretary of the party-Akalis, Communists and Congress-all three mixed in
Congress partyin those days. Chhabil Das was arrested in June 1929, the last
peasant school they organised was at Haripur village of Gurdaspur district. He
was made part of ‘war council’ of Congress party after it declared 26th
January as Independence day in 1930 at Lahore. Chhabil Das remained under
strict police watch during 1926 to 1936. In police files of those days, Naujwan
Bharat Sabha and its activists Bhagat Singh and Abdul Majeed were also
mentioned in CID files.
Author has mentioned passing away of
Chhabil Das on 11th December 1988 at Jalandhar and of Sita Devi on
20th March 1974 at Delhi, where she was living as Rajya Sabha member
in those days. There has been reference to Chhabil Das’s school days and his
talent, though he was considered a bit naughty. He stood second in
Matriculation examination of Panjab University in 1917. He stood third in FA
examination from same University at Dyal Singh College Lahore, where he studied
during 1917-1920 after matriculation. He read most of classic English and world
writers during his college days. From Shakespeare to Victor Hugo, Ruskin,
Shelley, Milton, Keats, Tennyson, Tolstoy, Ibsen etc. Chhabil Das spent lot of
time in Kangra valley and wrote Hungry Heaven book to depict the sufferings of
hill people. In chapter-MLA, Parliamentarian and patriot, author has focused on
the role played by her mother Sita Devi in Punjab Assembly from Lahore to
Shimla, as MP in Delhi. She stayed on in Lahore after partition as she was then
MLA there. Manorma Diwan’s film maker daughter Saba Diwan has made documentary
for Doordarshan-‘Sita’s Family’, which depicts her role as mother also. Manorma
Diwan in one chapter-Progressive, Liberal and Modern has depicted both her
parent’s life and views on life. They had three daughters, Manorma Diwan being
the third daughter and son Ashok, which was favoured more than daughters,
author has shown weakness of her father for male child quite frankely, though
daughters were not denied any facility in life, not overtly discriminated. In chapter-Struggle in independent
India-first general elction of 1952 is described, in which Swarn Singh won for
parliament from Jalandhar and Sita Devi for Punjab assembly with comfortable
margin. Pandit Nehru also campaigned for her in that election. Lala Jagat
Narain contesting on Jansangh ticket defeated Sita Devi in 1957 elections.
Later she was elected to Punjab Vidhan Parishad and in 1971 to Rajya Sbha. She
was part of Bhim Sen Sachar group of Congress which was opposed by Gopichand
Bhargav group. Chhabil Das remained attached to Bhim Sen Sachar as his advisor
during his Chief Minister and Governor days. In chapter In the eyes of Comrades
and Revolutionaries, author has mentioned Jagjit Singh Anand, Press Asia
International formed by Manorma and her husband Dewan Birendernath, mention is
made of Manorma sister Dr. Santosh Sood, who taught in Panjab University Chandigarh’s
Political science department. In chapter-Student and Inspirer, author has
returned to Bhagat Singh again, who was Chhabil das student and inspirer as
well, even in jail, he was asking for books, while seeing review of a book on
Lenin in The Tribune in jail, he asked his lawyer Pranath Mehta, to being that
book, which he was reading before being executed. His command over English is
praised again. He is mentioned as most favourite student of Chabil Das and was
very cheerful person as per his teacher. Chhabil Das was unhappy at Mahatma
Gandhi attitude after his execution. Author has expressed her unhappiness at
Bhagat Singh being projected as Sikh revolutionary. She has given reference to
Comrade Ramchandra book-Ideology and Battle Cries of Indian Revolutionaries and
said that pages 112-115 of that book Bhagat Singh’s own written two English
poems have been reproduced. As per author’s father Bhagat Singh wrote very good
poetry in English. He also wrote scripts and songs for Dramatic group of
National College, in which he performed also. All teachers of National College
agreed that they never saw such talented and all qualities holder student like
Bhagat Singh. Author has given brief description of Chhabil das books in this
chapter, who underlined Karl Marx, Fredrick Engels, Lenin as the greatest human
beings of the world, apart from Rousseau and Voltaire. She has mentioned
Comrade Ramkrishan, who used to add B.A.(National) title to his name and Hindi
writer Yashpal as his favourite coleagues. In last chapter-Nice man and loving
friend, author has refred to couple’s and other friends caring attitude,
mention is made of Brijnarain, Giani Hira Singh Dard and Devdutt Atal, who
formed Bal Bharat Sabha,Dhanwantri, Comrade Paras Ram, Ganpat Rai, are also mentioned. The concluding phrase of
the book is-Their Revolutionary journey was successful!
Five books have been refered in reference
section, which include three by Comrade Ramchand, one by Satyaketu
Vidyalankar’s History of Arya Samaj and one report on Servants of People’s
society by Satyapal.
Not written in much organised form, still
the book is valuable for knowing the personalities of freedom struggle.
2.
Azadi ki Basti(Hindi)-Freedom
Residence, Manorma Diwan, 2006, Remadhav Ghaziabad, pages 172, price 100/
Rupees
IN 2006 EXPRESSING HER
DISMAY AT INCREASING COMMUNALISM, Manorma DiwAN WROTE IN BRIEF introduction to
this book that ‘her relation with Lahore is such that even after such long gap,
it keeps getting more strengthed’!
This is proper book of memoirs and her memoirs are jotted
down in 15 chapters. While there are repetitions in both her books published in
same year and on same theme, yet this book seems to be stylistically more
appealing. First chapter is –in Lajpat Rai Bhavan-in Lahore, almost like first
chapter of her book Inqlabi Yatra, additional information is former Vice
President Krishan Kant mother Satyavati celebrating her 100th
birthday on 23rd February 2005, she lived for few more years. Second
chapter is on her –‘Revolutionary Parents’, discussed in detail in other book.
Here 1942 arrests scene is created impressively. In chapter Inqlab Zindabad, focus is on
National college set up on 16th May 1921, Lala Lajpat Rai,
Chancellor, Bhai Permanand VC, Acharya Jugal Kishore-Principal, Chhabil
Das-Registrar and Professor, later Principal after Jugal Kishore retired, Number
of students 153, closed in 1926. Bhagat Singh admitted in 1922 at the age of 15
years without Matric, admitted in first year, he passed Inter-FA in 1923 and
started doing BA. Bhagat Singh-Chhabil Das-Teacher-taught, but friends, family
relations with BS family. Both brothers-Kultar-Kuljit(Kulbir) digressed, no
memorial at Hussainiwala till 1967(1965-YB Chavan laid foundation). No film yet
on Chandershekhar Azad/Aruan Asaf Ali, Lahore’s Ratan cinema showed KL Sehgal’s
Shahjahan, Viplov Thakur, daughter of Comrade Paras Ram in HP? Toady-British
touts were called. Manorma Diwan entered Lahore women’s jail to be with her
mother due to young age. She met many women criminal cases convicts and even
saw how a woman prisoner was hanged, affecting her mind condition for some
time, she disclosed it to her mother much later. In chapter-Tiranga on British
jail-author describes the valour of women prisoners, who put on Triclolour
Congress flag on British jail in Lahore on 9th August 1943, to mark
Quit India anniversary-a big event. One chapter is on Aruna Asaf Ali,Freda Bedi
and Rameshwari Nehru, all great fighters in Lahore. Aruna remained Mayor of
Delhi in 1958. Baba Pyare Lal Bedi was from famous Bedi clan of Dera Babab
Nanakand his mother Phool Kaur was daughter of Kapurthla Diwan(Prime Minister)
Harikishan Das. His brother Trilochan Bedi was ICS officer. Studyin in Oxford,
he got involved with British girl Freda, whom he married and who took part in
freedom struggle with Pyare Lal bedi. In last years Freda became Buddhist.
Mention is made of Naujwan Bharat Sabha and Congress activist kedarnath Sehgal
defeating RSS candidate Beliram. Freda died in 1977 and her last rites were
performed in author hme in Delhi. Comrade Ramchand was from Nurpur kangra and
organised NBS with Bhagat Singh, remained Punjab MLA, wrote three books on
revolutionaries at the age of 80 years on his own expenses. Ashq couple,
Hansraj Rehbar visits to home are mentioned. Women leader Shanno Devi, who
remained Deputy Speaker of Punjab assembly is also here. Rameshwari Nehru was
married to Jawahar cousin Brij Nehru and her relinquished Lahore MLA seat was
offered to Sita Devi, mother of Manorma in 1945.
In chapter
revolutionary Bal sabha and Nanhe qaidi, Manorma and Santosh joined Bal Sabha,
as Indira made in Anand Bhavan in Allahabad. But her sister Vijya even at 13
years of age was active with Communists and was even jailed young, but she was
not bothered. In one chapter-Where these People have Gone-author remembers Khan
Abdul Ghafar Khan, Iftarudin of Lahore, at whose house Nehru used to stay.
Sarojini Naidu. One chapter is dedicated to Our
Dede(Dadi-grandmother/paternal), who was conservative, but tolerated
everything. On Hindu Code Bill, not only Ambedkar, Sita Devi also faced RSS
wrath. In chapter-A big political family-author mentions Lala Achint Ram
family-his wife Satyavati, son Krishan Kant, daughter Subhadra,Suman Krishan
kant, Avtar-Pushpa-InderGujral family, Seth Radhakrishan in Amritsar, Comrade
Ramkrishan, his wife Savitri died in 2004. Harikishan Premi etc. were all part
of this big family. In chapter devoted to Kabir, Guru Nanak and Christ, author notes impact of
these liberal saints. Mention is made of Bhagat Singh’s letter of 24th
July 1930 to his friend Jaidev to bring many mentioned books from Dwarkadas
library. In one chapter Anarkali, Noorjahan, Jindan and Pandei are depicted as
great women from Lahore, but discriminated as women. Anarkali tomb made in 1604
by Salim(Jahangir), which took ten years to complete, now in Punjab archives,
Pandei lived close to Anarkali tomb. Noorjahan tomb is in bad shape. Another
chapter is Shalimar Bagh vs. Bulleshah-beauti of Shalimar garden and Bulle’s
sufi poetry is mentioned and last chapter of these memoirs is- The tales of
Tobha Tek Singhs-author blames Lord Mountbatten for partition of the country
and thinks it to be his conspiracy. First communal riots in Baluchistan in 1946
finds reference, where ‘Chaman ke angoor’-Grapes of Chaman(a town) were
famous.Partition and its fall out the migrated millions are mentioned and Manto
story as symbol Family lived with Amarnath Sood after migration in Dharmshala,
then in Amritsar before settling in Jalandhar.
These are
scattered memoirs but one can feel the touch of Lahore and days of freedom
struggle, feel of revolutionaries and warmth of those days. Important books.
