Dr. Dur Muhammad Pathan
HANSRAJ ‘WIRELESS’ is in Sindh and discussed in the Sindh Legislative Assembly.
In February 1922 some agitating farmers were killed in Chauri Chaura by the police. Consequently,the police station of Chauri Chaura was attacked by the people and 22 policemen were burnt alive.
Without ascertaining the facts behind this incident, Mohandas K. Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi,declared an immediate stop the non-cooperation movement(he himself had given a call for it) without consulting any executive committee member of the Congress. Ram Prasad Bismil and his group of youth strongly opposed Gandhi in the Gaya Congress of 1922. When Gandhi refused to rescind his decision, the Indian National Congress was divided into two groups – one liberal and the other for rebellion. In January 1923, the liberal group formed a new Swaraj Party under the joint leadership of Moti Lal Nehru and Chittranjan Das, and the youth group formed a revolutionary party under the leadership of Bismil. It is known as HINDUSTAN REPUBLICAN ASSOCIATION (HRA). In 1928, it was renamed as ‘Hindustan Socialist Republican Association’ (HSRA) . The HSRA's manifesto titled Philosophy of the Bomb was written by Bhagawati Charan Vohra. Whereas Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Anushilan Samiti, Ram Prasad Bismil, – Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri.
There were many early attempts at disruption and obtaining funds, such as the robbery of a post office in Calcutta and of monies belonging to a railway at Chittagong, both in 1923, but the Kakori train robbery was the most prominent of the early HRA efforts. The Kakori event occurred on 9 August 1925, when HRA members looted government money from a train around 14 miles (23 km) from Lucknow and accidentally killed a passenger in the process. Significant members of the HRA were arrested and tried for their involvement in that incident and others which had preceded it. The outcome was that four leaders – Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri – were hanged in December 1927 and a further 16 imprisoned for lengthy terms. The result of the trial, in which the HRA participants sang patriotic songs and displayed other forms of defiance, seriously damaged the leadership of the HRA and dealt a major blow to its activities. Many associated with the HRA who escaped trial found themselves placed under surveillance or detained for various reasons. Azad was the only one of the principal leaders who managed to escape arrest.
Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs at the empty treasury benches, being careful to ensure that there were no casualties in order to highlight the propagandist nature of their action. They made no attempt to escape and courted arrest while shouting Inquilab Zindabad (Long Live the Revolution) and Samrajyavad ka nash ho' (Down with Imperialism). Their rationale for the bombing was explained in a leaflet titled "To Make the Deaf Hear" (paraphrasing the words of Édouard Vaillant). This leaflet was also thrown in the assembly and was reproduced the next day in the Hindustan Times. On 15 April 1929 police raided the HSRA's bomb factory in Lahore and arrested Kishori Lal, Sukhdev Thapar and Jai Gopal. The Assembly Bomb case trial followed and Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged on 23 March 1931 for their actions.
In December 1929, the HSRA bombed the special train of Viceroy, Lord Irwin. The viceroy escaped unhurt. Later the Lahore faction of HSRA broke away and formed the Athisi Chakar (Fire Ring) party under the leadership of Hansraj 'Wireless'. They carried out a series of bombings across Punjab in June 1930. On 1 September 1930, the Rawalpindi faction made a failed attempt to burgle the Office of the Controller of Military Accounts. During this period the leading members of the HSRA were Azad, Yashpal, Bhagwati Charan Vohra and Kailash Pati. In July 1930 the HSRA robbed the Gadodia stores in New Delhi and carried away 14,000 Rupees. This money was later used to fund a bomb factory. In December 1930, an attempt was made to assassinate the Governor of Punjab, which wounded him in his arm.
By 1931, most of the HSRA's main leaders were either dead or in jail. Kailash Pati was arrested in October 1930 and turned approver (witness for the prosecution). On 27 February 1931, Chandrasekhar Azad shot himself during a gunfight with the police in a famous incident of Alfred Park. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Rajguru were hanged in March 1931. After Azad's death there was no central leader to unite the revolutionaries and regional differences increased. The organisation split into various regional groups and they carried out bombings and attacks on Indian officials without any central coordination.
Hansraj Wireless found Sindh as a safe place for him and his activitirs.In those days Sindh was experiencing revolutionary activities both from Hindu & Muslim revolutionaries. Hur Movement was at its peak and the visit of Chandra Boss proved to be source of inspiration for Hindu Youth to make sacrifices of their lives for getting rid of British Raj.Hansraj ‘Wireles’ started training mostly Hindu Youth . He was arrested here in Sindh. Handsome literature is available in Sindhi on Hansraj ‘Wireless’ and his activities in Sindh but, most of people do not know his Detention and Release was discussed and debated in the Sindh Legislative Assrmbly. This is first time that I am reproducing here-with relavant proceedings of the Sindh Legislative Assembly
3 March 1938
Adjournment motion: Release of "Hansraj"
The Honourable the Speaker: I have received another adjournment motion from the honourable member Mr. Sidhwa which reads as follows:-
" That the House do now adjourn to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the failure of the Government to release Mr. Hansraj, a political in the Hyderabad Central Prison whose health is in danger, for he has eschewed violence."
I am afraid this adjournment motion is substantially the same as the one which was moved by the honourable member yesterday, except that he has changed its form. Yesterday it was in the form of a recommendation and to-day he has framed the motion for the purpose of discussion, but it does not satisfy the provisions of the law because it is neither a matter of recent occurrence, nor is it a matter of urgent public importance, since the honourable member had ample opportunity to move a resolution with regard to it. It is a very old question. I therefore disallow the motion.
Mr. R.K.Sidhwa: Sir, I should like to explain.
The Honourable the Speaker: I do not think any explanantion or discussion is called for, because I had considered this question thoroughly yesterday. There is, therefore, no room for further discussion and I rule it out of order.
Mr. R.K.Sidhwa: Sir, he is in hospital and his health is in danger.
K.S.A.K.Gabol: But he will be receiving medical aid.
Mr.R.K.Sidhwa: Let the Honourable the Chief Minister send a telegram.
7 March 1938
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Hansraj "Wireles" - Premature release of-
MR.GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Will the Honourable the chief Minister be pleased to state-
(a) Whether it is a fact that the Chief Minister has made the announcement that he would have released political prisoners if there had been any in Sind?
(b) Whether he is aware that Mr. Hansraj (Wireless), a political prisoner, was convicted at Hyderabad and is now in the Hyderabad Central Jail?
(c) If the answer to (b) is in the affirmative, what steps have the Government taken to release him?
(d) If no steps have been taken, release him?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: (a) Yes.
(b) Yes, but Mr. Hansraj cannot be describe as a political prisoner.
(c) and (d) Do not arise.
MR.GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: What are political crimes? If a person loots the treasury for political purpose, will that not constitute a political crime?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: Idon't think so.
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Is the Honourable the Chief Minister aware that the Kakori Prisoners were considered to be political prisoners?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: That question does not arise.
THE HONOURABLES SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: May I tell the honourable member what offences this prisoner had committed? I think everybody should feel ashamed of them and still the honourable member calls him a political prisoner.
Sir, he was convicted in the Lahore Conspiracy Case. On his person were found instruments for counterfeiting coins, a loaded automatic pistol and cartridges, one homemade pistol, explosive substances and two empty bomb shells. He was tried by the Sesions Court of Hyderabad and convicted for all these offences, the sentences to run concurrently.
MR.R.K.SIDHWA: We known all these things.
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: The possession of a pistol or instrument for counterfeiting coins does not mean that was no political purpose behind it. Was there any other motive but political?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: The offence of counterfeiting coins does not come within the definition "political."
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Will the Honourable the Chief Minister state whether in the case of Hansraj there was any other motive but political for possessing these things?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: The Honourable the Chief Minister has already replied that the purpose was other than political.
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: How can the Honourable the Chief Minister say this?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: He has given you the nature of the offences, or which he was convicted.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRRSM: May I know whether maximum sentences were awarded to him under the Explosive Substances Act?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I do not know.
MR.R.K. SIDHWA: Has the Honourable the Chief Minister says that he is not a political prisoner. He is absolutely ignorant of it. Therefore I want to ask from the Honourable the Chief Minister whether he will inquire from the Government of India as to the career of Mr. Hansraj.
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDYATULLAH: No, Sir I have my own opinion about the matter.
9 March 1938
Release of Mr. Hansraj (Wireless)
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Will the Honourable the Chief Minster be pleased to state:
(a) Whether on the occasion of his last visit to Hyderabad Central Prison, he interviewed the political prisoner Mr. Hansraj (Wireless).
(b) Whether it is a fact that any condition were offered to Mr. Hansraj for his release?
(c) If answer to (b) is in the affirmative, what is the nature of those conditions?
(d) What was the reply of Mr. Hansraj to the offer?
(e) Whether he is aware that Mr. Hansraj has declared that he does not believe in violence any longer?
MR.GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Will the Honourable the Chief Minister be pleased to state:
(a) Whether on the occasion of his last visit to Hyderabad Central Prison, he interviewed the political prisoner Mr. Hansraj (Wireless).
(b) Whether it is a fact that any condition were offered to Mr. Hansraj for his release?
(c) If answer to (b) is in the affirmative, what is the nature of those conditions?
(d) What was the reply of Mr. Hansraj to the offer?
(e) Whether he is aware that Mr. Hansraj has declared that he does not believe in violence any longer?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: (a) I had a short talk with Mr. Hansraj. I merely asked him where he would reside after he was released, and he said that he would reside in Sind.
(b) No.
(c) Does not arise
(d) Does not arise
(e) I do not remember his making any such statement.
MR.GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Will the Government release him if he does not reside in Sind?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: That is a hypothetical question. I cannot reply.
DR. POPATLAL A. BHOOPATKAR: What were the reasons that made the Honourable Chief Minister have a talk with him?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: Curiosity.
MR. R.K. SIDHWA: Does this not mean that the Honourable Chief Minister feels that this prisoner should be treated quite separately from the ordinary prisoners there and that he should be considered as a political prisoner?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: This question is inferential.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: May I know whether the talk was carried on in the yard or was it within the jail?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: In the jail.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: Does the Honourable Minister mean that they were confidential talks or they were only general talks?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I had a general talk with him.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: May I know if he was an in-patient in the hospital at that time?
THE HONOURBLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I do not remember.
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: I was with the Honourable the Chief Minister at the time. He was in the ward and was quite all right. He was not in the hospital. He was making quinine pills.
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: In answer to part (e) of the question it is stated " I do not remember his making any such statement." May I know whether the Government will consider the question of his release if he made a statement that he abjures violence?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: He is not a political prisoner. Otherwise I would consider his case.
MR.GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: May I know if the Honourable Chief Minister made enquiries from the prisoner whether he would indulge in violence or not if he were released?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I had only a general talk with him.
MR. R.K. SIDHWA: How long did the talk last?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: It was only for a few minutes. The reply is clear.
9 March 1938
Information in connection with Fatehraj Jethmal
Prohit and Hansraj (Wireless).
MR. R.K. SIDHWA: Will the Honourable the chief Minster please state-
(a) Is it a fact that one Mr. Hansraj was convicted at Hyderabad of political offence and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment?
(b) Is it a fact that he is still undergoing imprisonment in the Karachi Jail?
(c) Is it a fact that the District Magistrate, Karachi, has issued an order expelling form Karachi Jail Mr. Fatehraj who was convicted of political offence?
(d) If so, the reason why he has been asked to stay in his native place (India State)?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: (a) Hansraj was convicted at Hyderabad for terrorist crime and cognate offences and sentenced to imprisonment for a total period of ten years.
(b) He is at present confined in the Central Prison, Hyderabad.
(c) Fatehraj Jethmal Prohit was deported from British India by an order issued by the Government of Sind which was served on him not immediately following his release form jail, but subsequently on the 3rd May 1937.
(d) He was not asked to stay in his native place, Jodhpur State, but was directed to remove him self from British India as he was an undesirable foreigner.
MR. R.K. SIDHWA: With reference to the answer to part (b) of the question may I know how many years Hansraj has served in the prison up to now?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: It is beyond my capacity to give the honourable members the information off hand as to how many years each prisoner has served and when their period expire and so forth.
MR.R.K.SIDHWA: Is it not a fact that the Honourable Chief Minister visited the Jail and made enquiries about this?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: That does not enable the Honourable Member to know how long the prisoner has yet to be in Jail.
MR.R.K.SIDHWA:Is it not a fact that this prisoner has given an undertaking for his future good conduct, if he is released?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I do not know.
MR. R..K. SIDHWA: Is it not a fact that this information was conveyed to the Honourable Chief Minister by the guardian of the prisoner?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULAH: But the guardian cannot be responsible for a man in jail. I never asked him about it.
MR.R.K. SIDHWA: Is it not fact that the condition of his health is worsening in jail?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: When I saw him, I found him hale and hearty.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: May I know how long he has been in hospital.
THE HONOURABLE SITR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: When I saw him, he was in jail doing his work.
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: I saw him myself.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: Will the Honourable Minster pleased tell me under what section he was convicted?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I shall find out the section if the honourable member gives me notice.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: Is it not a fact that he is a prisoner under the Arms Act?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: How could it be under the Arms Act? He was sentenced to 7 years.
MR.DIALMAL DOULATRAM: Is it not a fact that he is convicted under the Explosives Act?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: Might be.
MR.DIALMAL DOULATRAM: May I know when he was sentenced, and for what period?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: The honourable member should give notice.
MR.R.K. SIDHWA: Is it not a fact that terrorist prisoners in Bihar, U.P. and Madras and even in the Punjab and Bombay have been released?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: That may be so.
MR. R.K. SIDHWA: Will the Honourable the Chief Minster in pursuance of the policy followed in other provinces, be good enough to release Hansraj?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: He is not our man. He comes from the Punjab.
MR. R.K. SIDHWA: Is he not a prisoner of Sind?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: He is not a political prisoner. He had committed a breach of the ordinary law.
MR. DIALMAL DOULATRAM: For what offence was he convicted?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I can quote the section under which he was convicted if the honourable member gives me notice.
MR.R.K.SIDHWA: Is it not possible to transfer this prisoner from Sind to the Punjab?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: How can that be done? He committed an offence and was put in jail here. Why should the Punjab have to pay for it?
MR.R,K.SIDHWA: Who is responsible for his safety the Punjab or Sind?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: He is in the lock-up where he is quite safe.
MR. R.K.SIDHWA: Why should the Sind Government have to pay for it all if he does not belong to Sind? I ask him whether he will be good enough to send Hansaj to the Punjab.
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: He is not a political prisoner.
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister is not prepared to release him.
MR.H.S.PAMNANI: Is the Honourable the Chief Minister aware that even the culprit who shot at Sir Ernest Hotson, the Governor of Bombay, has been released?
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: It is not relevant.
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAND: Is it not a fact that the Sind Government wrote to the Punjab government about this prisoner?
THE HONOURABLE SIR GHULAM HUSSAIN HIDAYATULLAH: I cannot reply. It is confidential.
31 March 1938
HANSRAJ "Wireless" - Premature release of -
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAD: Will the Honourable the chief Minister be pleased to state-
(a) Whether he is aware that the Sind Observer of 17th October has published an interview with Sjt. Hansraj in which he is reported to have stated that he was not a political prisoner?
(b) Will Government again consider the question of releasing him unconditionally?
THE HONOURABLE K.B. ALLAH BAKHSH: (a) Yes, but the article was published in the Sind Observer, dated the 17th September, and not 17th October as stated.
(b) Government are not prepared to reconsider the matter in view of the fact that I have already made a statement on the point.
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAD: This reply was prepared by the former Government.
MR. M.H.GAZDAR: Why has the Honourable the Leader of the House not modified it? In view of his statement made yesterday that he is going to reconsider the matter, the reply should have been that the question does not arise.
THE HONOURABLE SPEAKER: The Honourable the Leader of the House has said that he sticks to that he sticks to that statement.
MR. M.H. GAZDAR: But why not modify the reply accordingly?
THE HONOURABLE K.B. ALLAH BAKHSH: Sir, I stick to the statement already made.
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER: Does the honourable member Mr. Ghanshyam want to ask any question?
MR. GHANSHYAM JETHANAD: In view of the statement made yesterday by the Honourable the Chief Minister, I do not want to ask any further question.
