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In P.P.Doctorjee’s
lifetime, among the challenges that Sangha had to overcome, the challenge posed
by the “Patraka” was the most important one.
In 1932-34, succumbing to the anti-Sangha rabble-rousing propaganda by
certain anti-social elements, the provincial government of Central Provinces
issued a circular (decree), prohibiting the admission of Sangha swayamsevaks
to Government–aided schools and other institutions. The pretext was that
Sangha was a “Communal” association. Since the Government had gotten
involved, P.P.Doctorjee decided to oppose this unjust decree by all possible
legal means.
The Government decree emphasized that Sangha was “Communal”; it also hinted
that such activities caused communal riots. P.P.Doctorjee attacked the word
“communal” squarely. If a group attacked member of other communities, it
would be justifiably “communal”. P.P.Doctorjee emphasized that Sangha focus
was to help the Hindu Community. This automatically did not mean that it was
against other communities. In fact, such a conclusion is downright
irrational. P.P.Doctorjee criticized the Government decree sharply. He
awakened the public opinion through several letters, personal visits, etc.
The Government was literally besieged with an outpouring of public criticism
against its policy.
P.P.Doctorjee’s public speeches in those days were full of powerful
self-confidence and faith in the success of his mission. People at large saw
P.P.Doctorjee as an ideal example of how a dirt-poor, common citizen could
shake an almighty Government to its very roots. All political parties, big
and small harshly criticized this Government decree.
This decree was also questioned in the provincial legislative assembly.
There, it became obvious that the Government did not have an iota of proof or
evidence against Sangha. This led to a “No confidence motion”, which carried
successfully, and the Sharif Chabal administration lost the power.
Those who had tried to dig a hole to bury Sangha were buried in it
themselves. Sangha actually benefited – it received more free publicity in 2
months compared to its publicity in previous two decades.
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