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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bilashi recalls how villagers defied British in 1930 to write a page in freedom writers' diary
Kolhapur: Three months after Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March against the salt laws 95 years ago, the inspired villagers of Bilashi now in Sangli district, broke forest laws in an act of civil disobedience. They refused to pay for grazing rights, entered the reserved forest and cut grass for fodder. Their defiance on July 18, 1930, rattled the British Raj so much that 500 policemen were sent to crush the satyagraha, which lasted 51 days. The Bilashi Satyagraha, also known as Jungle Satyagraha and Zenda Satyagraha, will mark its 100th year in 2030. Congress workers Vishnu Patil, Baburao Charankar, Bapusaheb Deshmukh, and Ganpatrao Patil led the movement after Gandhi declared that those who could not join the Dandi March could resist by taking on unjust colonial laws. After entering the forest and cutting the grass for fodder, the villagers felled a 34-foot teak tree, made a pillar and placed the tricolour with a charka in the middle atop it. They brought it to the Mahadev temple with the large crowd shouting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Mahatma Gandhi Zindabad, Vande Mataram, and Kusaichya Navane Changbhala' (Praise be to Kusai, a local deity). Babasaheb Parit, who has researched the Bilashi Satyagraha, said, "Inspector Bankatsingh was deployed to quell the movement. He had 70-80 policemen with him. The villagers stopped cooperating with them, denying food and shelter to the policemen and their horses. That year, villagers celebrated festivals in the temple to protect the flag they had hoisted." By this time, several neighbouring villages joined Bilashi's movement and the stories of their heroism and the humiliation faced by the British police carried far. Parit said on Sept 6, 1930, more troops on horses armed with firearms and batons arrived and after entering the village, they lathicharged the men, women and children. "Hundreds were injured. The women brought the flag down and hid it among their clothes. The wet soil turned a deep red. Two teenagers, Dhondi Santu Kumbhar and Shankar Bhau Chambar, who threw stones at the troops were killed by the policemen on horses and their bodies were buried in an undisclosed location, which we located several years ago," Parit added. Anandrao Patil, the 58-year-old son of freedom fighter Ganpatrao Patil, said, "My father was a police patil and a member of a local board. He resigned in protest after the atrocities in Bilashi. This led to mass resignation by other police patils. The first war of independence in 1857 was quelled but resistance from Bilashi made people realise once again that they could fight the British for independence." Bilashi's sarpanch Sujata Deshmane said, "Our village has around 5,000 people and 40 freedom fighters. Patriotism runs deep here. On Aug 9, which is 'Kranti Divas', we participate in a morning march, and place wreaths at the Kranti Stambh to pay tribute to the heroes. The day also marks the birth and death anniversary of freedom fighter Ganpatrao Patil. On Independence and Republic Days, our entire village gathers at the gram panchayat office for flag hoisting and celebrates with sweets. " The villagers want a national memorial built in Bilashi and its connection to the freedom movement included in textbooks. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Malay Mail
22-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Leadership isn't about physical strength': PAS backs Hadi to stay as president despite heart surgery, with Tuan Ibrahim dismissing renewal concerns
PARIT, June 22 — PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has today affirmed the party's continued support for Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang to remain as president, amid calls for a leadership change due to health concerns and party rejuvenation. New Straits Times reported Tuan Ibrahim saying Abdul Hadi's leadership and vision remain vital for PAS, especially following the Islamist party's recent electoral gains and strong performance. 'There are no major health issues. Tuan Guru recently received treatment at the National Heart Institute, and he is in good health. We expect him to be discharged within a day or two,' he said, referring to Abdul Hadi. 'Our best achievements were under Tok Guru's leadership including 34 parliamentary seats and victories in numerous state seats. So why stop when we are succeeding? 'Leadership is not about physical strength, but about ideas, vision, and management. That is what truly matters, and we believe Tok Guru is still capable,' he added while officianting the PAS Parit division annual general meeting. His comments come amid speculation of a potential leadership reshuffle ahead of the party's 71st Muktamar — or annual congress — in September, part of wider discussions on internal renewal. In February, it was reported that Tuan Ibrahim had not confirmed whether he would defend his deputy president post, stating that it was up to PAS delegates to nominate him if they wished. Tuan Ibrahim also highlighted Abdul Hadi's influence in global Islamic circles, saying he is regularly consulted on international issues, including the Sunni-Shiah divide and the Israel conflict. Abdul Hadi, who is also Marang MP, had earlier this week undergone heart surgery. Supporters and critics have predicted that Abdul Hadi may take the less strenuous post of spiritual adviser rather than president, with Datuk Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar widely seen as a possible successor.
