Prakashbhai N. Shah paying floral tributes at the memorial of Vasant – Rajab in Ahmedabad on 1st July 12013

ON THE GRAVES OF MARTYRS THERE WILL BE FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR (SHAHEEDOKEE MAZARO PAR LAGENGE HAR VARASH MELE) A TRIBUTE TO VASANT –RAJAB ON THE OCASSION OF 67TH MARTYRDOM OF VASANT –RAJAB A SAGA OF AMITY AND COMMUNAL HARMONY IN GUJARAT 

The decision of partition of India had its echo in Ahmedabad too. There were many Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthis to sacrifice their lives for the cause of communal harmony through out India. Vasant Rao Hegishte and Rajab Ali Lakhani were one of them. It was 1st of July, 1946 and the day of RathYatra.. The people of Ahmedabad had experienced worst kinds of riots during the RathYatra. In Ahmedabad it starts from Jamalpur The day of Rath Yatra atmosphere was communally charged due to the politics of partition. The whole Ahmedabad was up in flame. 

The entire city was engulfed in arson, looting, killings, burnings. The riot was beyond control. The law and order situation was in disarray. The concerned people were trying their best to calm down the communal passion. Vasant – Rajab were engaged in saving Hindu and Muslim families and their houses and properties through out the day of the Rath Yatra. They saved a Muslim driver from the rioting Hindu mob and a Hindu owner of a Washing Company from the Muslim mob. The Seva Dal workers in Congress Office were working round the clock. They were trying to do their best to pacify the people. In the meanwhile, a disturbing news from Jamalpur arrived that at Khand–Ni- Sheri, of Jamalpur area that a Dalit family was being surrounded by the frenzied mob. It was evening. As soon as the news came, Vasant – Rajab rushed to the spot on foot as quickly as possible because they did not have any conveyance. They reached the spot and tried their best to pacify the mob. Nevertheless, the mob was a frenzied one and was in no mood to listen them … Instead, the mob threatened them to kill. But Vasant – Rajab did not budge an inch and said that they would prefer to die and slept on the road to prevent the mob. Their courageous acts moved many hearts but the die-hards killed Vasant-Rajab and then moved away sparing the Dalit family and the Basti (locality). Their sacrifice could finally put off the flame of communal fire. 

Therefore, the Vasant – Rajab became the martyr and an icon of communal harmony. The people of the area still remember them dearly. 

Now there is a memorial in Khand Ni Sheri where Vasant Rajab laid down their Lives for the cause of communal Harmony and amity. It is known as Vasant – Rajab Chowk. 

For last several years the Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD) has been paying rich tributes to Vasant Rajab at Vasant – Rajab Chowk, Khand Ni Sheri every year on 1st of July . Day by day 1st. of July is recognized as the day of communal harmony in Ahmedabad, and Vasant – Rajab are becoming the icon and heroes. 

It is going to be 67th years of their martyrdom and they have become the symbol of communal harmony, amity and peace. Recalling and popularising Vasant – Rajab has become more relevant now, when the fascism is spreading its tentacles through cultural regimentation. 

Vasant – Rajab were the products of the freedom movement of India. They were the dreamers of the Indian Freedom and prepared for any kind of supreme sacrifice. They were inspired by the glorious tradition of highest sacrifice heralded by Chauphekar Brothers, Khudiram Bose, Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and hundreds known and unknown martyrs. 

Here is a brief sketch about them 

VASANTRAO HEGISHTE 

Vasantrao Hegishte was born on 16th May 1906 at Ahmedabad. Education can wait but not Swaraj was the call of the 1921 Non–CoOperation movement in the country. Responding to the call Vasant Rao at the of age of 15 left school and joined Gujarat Vidyapeeth which was started by Gandhiji. Gujarat Vidyapeeth was tempered in the spirit of patriotism and social service, which became the credo in his life. He joined in Dandi March up to Aslali (outskirt of Ahmedabad) with Gandhiji & was active participatant in Salt Satyagrah in 1930 and was jailed. There after he joined Sevadal .He took active participation in 1932, 1940 and 1942 movements for Freedom As he considered himself wedded to the country and society he decided not to marry. He gave utmost importance to physical exercises, a tradition of Akhadas that was created by Swami Vivekananda to keep fit and strong for the cause of the country. He never lagged behind in joining the struggle for freedom. As a youth, he was a disciplined volunteer ready for the utmost sacrifice. His youthful zest, cheerfulness, readiness to act was always a source of inspiration to all . He was fondly addressed by all as ‘Dada’. 

RAJAB ALI LAKHANI 

Rajab Ali Lakhani was born in Karachi in 1919. Their family hailed from Limbdi of Saurashtra. The Lakhani family came to Limbdi in1935. Rajab Ali matriculated in 1936 and joined Shyamaldas College at Bhavnagar and studied B.A. However, he refused to appear at the examination; because he was convinced that mere degree in life was of no use and that may lead to service under the British, which was not palatable to the independent minded youth like Rajab Ali. He jumped in the stream of freedom struggle and was imprisoned several times. He was a devout reader and his thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. He was always in search of opportunities to share his ideas and opinions. There was an audience ready to listen to him. He was taking classes on various subjects. He adhered to progressive views and was known as Marxist in the Sevadal and Congress circle He belonged to Khoja community of Muslim religion but as he was growing he was more attracted towards social reforms and as a result he was often in conflict with his father and their religious –priest. He wanted to be known as a Man and not by any religion or caste. In later years, he was shocked to observe that the top leaders of Congress and freedom fighters were not free from conservatism… He joined the Rajkot Satyagrah led by Gandhiji and did not appear his B.A. examination. In the college, he formed a Democratic group with the students. He joined the famous Limbdi Satyagrah HIJARAT (Exodus) against the Darbars (The then powerful landed gentry). That was the time of people’s uprisings in Saurashtra against the Kings in Princely States. Rajab Ali joined the movement in full spirit in his brief period of his life; he was imprisoned in 1938, 1941 and 1942. 

There are sweet memories of friendship between Vasant Rao and Rajab Ali. 

A befitting tribute was paid soon after their death. 

A Vasant-Rajab Smarak Grantha was published in the same year edited by no less a person than poet Jhaverchand Meghani on dated. 17-12 – 46. The initiative in this direction was taken by Jayanti Dalal. Rich tributes were paid by Dadasaheb Ganesh Mavalankar, Ratilali Adani (Rajab’s associate), Manubhai Pancholi, Vasant – Rajab’s jailmates, co- workers, friends, and family members. 

Vasant Rao was cremated at in Dhudheswar burning ghat whereas RajabAli was cremated at Gomatipur Kabrastan. Lamented the sister of Vasantrao Hegishte, Hemalata Hegishte that both Vasant and Rajab lived together, breathed together and died together for a noble cause but death separated them.But they will never be separated. The spirit of both Vasant -Rajab will remain with us. 

As Shaheed Bhagat Singh said: 

HAWA ME RAHEGI MERE KHAYALO KI BIJLEE 

LET 1ST OF JULY BECOME THE DAY OF PEOPLE’S FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR 

http://india.indymedia.org/content/2005/06/210743.shtml