History of Struggle against the Renaming of Ahmedabad City

No sooner did the BJP leaders of Gujarat announce the intention of changing the name of Ahmedabad to Karnavati just before Diwali on 7^th of November 2018, mood of many people changed from festivity to heated debate and furor across the State. For many of us, an online petition initiated by Bandish Soparkar on change.org protesting name change came to immediate rescue https://www.change.org/p/legislative-assembly-of-gujarat-do-not-change-the-name-of-the-city-ahmedabad

Many chose to ignore the family reunion over Diwali and shared the petition online fervently through the night. In less than twenty four hours, the signatories rose to seven thousand! In just three days the number of people registering their protest rose to over fifteen thousand, keeping the auspicious Diwali celebrations on the side! 

Jali at Sidi Saiyyad Mosque, Symbol of Ahmedabad. Photo: Wikipedia

There has been no looking back since as social workers, architects, students, historians, common people continue to register their opposition and demand that Ahmedabad remain Ahmedabad. Soon a group of over two hundred and fifty young people started a twitter protest with #IAmAhmedabad and a WhatsAPP group- Save Heritage Ahmedabad. By then, newspapers began to report the protests, some of the first being, The Wire, The Week, CounterView and among the regional, Sandesh, Ahmedabad Mirror, Divya Bhaskar, etc, etc.  Not only did the newspapers report the protests accurately but also published opinion of eminent people against name change. Some of the newspapers took lead and began reporting the growing sentiment of the common people against name change and the difficulties people would face if the name of the city were to be changed. Importantly, many regional newspapers gave space to academic history of the city of Ahmedabad against rhetoric and majoritarian falsehood. 

This lead to further awakening and soon individual protests and statements snowballed on social media. Those who found it easier registered their protest by posting individual voice and video recordings on Face Book and Twitter. Video of a small girl protesting against change of name became popular. Online voting exercise was started by different groups and some of the early trends showed overwhelming support to not changing the name of the city.  It was only when jokes on the proposition of name change began to make rounds that one knew that half the battle has been won.

Young Women protesting with I love Ahmedabad Tattoos, as reported in a news paper

The post says, if at all the name of Ahmedabad is changed, people will be kept busy changing their Adhaar, Election, Paan and so many other cards and documents. The intention of the Government is to not let people be free at all.

 Finally after six anxious days of tense campaign for many during otherwise fun Diwali days, when protests on social media turned humorous, many who had taken the lead on the first day after the announcement breathed a sigh of relief. Opposition to the changing of the name of Ahmedabad city is now catching up fast. The following news web portal - Moje Gujarat shows how and why the people of Gujarat are angry against name change of India's first UNESCO heritage city and how BJP seems to be on the back foot: 

 http://www.mojegujarat.com/ahmedabad-city-name-change/?fbclid=IwAR3HrZAk3nTyabelRitSRn5uBk1Ilcp0uZ-9W2j6ny0-rAvOZa1-LbvXiYU

However people are not taking things easy and the protests against changing the name of Ahmedabad may take the scale of #VikasGandoThayoChe (#DevelopmentHasGoneMad) that one witnessed just before the 2017 State elections. The protest at that time in 2017 critiquing the Gujarat Model of Development had become so popular that the entire top level BJP team and machinery including the PM Mr. Modi had to campaign for State elections for several weeks leaving all other work on the side. And yet, the BJP came to power with much lower seat count in the State in 2017.

 

On the other side, for the BJP and the right wing Hindutva politicians changing the name of the city of Ahmedabad has been a long desire. Unfortunately for them, each time, the people of Ahmedabad and Gujarat have stood up and protested and they have had to retreat. The following interview with one of the most important public figures of Gujarat, Late Shri Girishbhai Patel throws light on the earlier battle of the people of the State that thwarted the earlier attempt by BJP to change the name of Ahmedabad. To a Gujarati, Girishbhai needs no introduction. For others, Girishbhai was known as the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) man of Gujarat who had filed over two hundred PILs for greater common good and for the underprivileged communities of the State. The interview of Girishbhai taken by me in the years 2009 and 2017 is part of my forth coming book on peoples’ history of Gujarat. I reproduce some select excerpts from the interview here where Girishbhai talks about their struggle against naming Ahmedabad as Karnavati. The interview is in Gujarati, select excerpts are translated here in English:

Girishbhai: “… here in Gujarat, Nalin Bhatt from Baroda was the leader of BJP. He was the Health Minister. He issued a fatwa that on every Dashera, there should be a poojan in every single hospital. During Dashera the tradition actually is that pooja of weapons is performed. As there are no weapons in hospitals, pooja of medical equipment would have to be carried out! [Laughs] I said, “Sir, look at the approach, medical equipment in hospitals are now considered weapons!” [Laughs] We filed a petition against that order. The High Court judge hearing the matter here, who later became a judge in the Supreme Court was a staunch person and asked me, “What is your objection to this? What is wrong in performing poojan?” I said “Sir, suppose I am a Muslim, I would not participate, not because I am opposed to your worship but this is a public institution.” After forty five minutes of arguments in the court, the judge issued a notice. That notice proved to be a blessing because at that time a conflict had arisen between Chimanbhai Patel and Keshubhai Patel. Chimanbhai was the Chief Minister at that time and he did not want that something like this should happen. But Chimanbhai had no courage to speak out as he had no majority. It was a joint Government of the two. No sooner did the court issues a notice that the circular was withdrawn. Pooja was stopped. 

"The other important victory was concerning the changing of the name of the Ahmedabad city. Back then, they (BJP) tried to change the name of Ahmedabad to Karnavati twice. The Ahmedabad Corporation mostly had members belonging to the BJP in those days. It was the V.P Singh Government at the center I think. These people decided to change the name of Ahmedabad to Karnavati as they did not want the history of Ahmed Shah to be reflected in the name of the city. The intention was to remove the name of a Muslim. Many of our friends came together. All our friends collectively worked hard and discovered/researched the history of the City. We found that there was a village of an Adivasi chieftain somewhere here. I have forgotten the name of the Adivasi ruler but there is also a temple to his name somewhere nearby. Therefore we insisted that if you wish to change the name of Ahmedabad, you will have to change it to the original Adivasi name[1]. We filed a petition in the High Court stating the procedure and the various steps that would have to be undertaken in order to change the name of the city. If the name is to be changed, there is so much to be done and so many procedures to be followed that it is not easy. Besides, the name would have to be changed at so many places including in the railway, post, etc, etc...

The Ahmedabad High Court issued a notice and the matter was admitted. In those days, George Fernandes was in our favor. Discussions were held with George Fernandes about this matter and ultimately, the Central Government did not give permission for the name change. That attempt was frustrated. Once again, the second time when the BJP Government was in power that a renewed attempt to change the name of Ahmedabad was made. Once again we fought and once again Fernandes came to our help. This second attempt was also frustrated. This was the third important event where we thwarted these people’s saffronisation process. Even today these (BJP) people regret not being able to change the name of Ahmedabad to Karnnavati. They use the name Karnavati unofficially but officially they could not change it into Karnavati….”

As reported in the newspaper Sandesh above, dated 14-October-1998, a petition was filed by the President of Council of Social Justice, Shri Valjibhai Patel, Professor Nisar Ansari, Govindbhai Solanki, Anishaben Mirza and others challanging the resolution passed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on 11-May-1998 to change the name of the Ahmedabad. Advocate Girish Patel, Harubhai Mehta and Ketan Dave represented the petitioners in the Gujarat High Court. Representing the Government, Additional Advocate General, Shri S.N. Shelat placed before the court a letter by the Home Ministry, Government of India stating that there was no plan to change the name of the City. The Court taking on record the letter, dismissed the matter. Interestingly, the Prime Minister at that time was late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Home Minister was Lal Krishna Advani and George Fernandes was the Defense Minister. 

Thus, in the past also the people of Gujarat have fought tooth and nail to retain the heritage and culture of Ahmedabad and its name against great odds- fighting money and muscle power with sheer grit and determination. Today, once again people of the State fight with all their might against the unprecedented muscle, money and State power, not allowing the struggle of the previous generation go waste. While BJP may forget its NDA partners like George Fernandes and their legacy, the younger generation of Gujarat will fight to preserve the secular legacy of the State inherited from stalwarts like Girishbhai Patel and countless others. 

Nandini Oza

14-November-18

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[1] Those who wish to know the academic history of the naming of Ahmedabad city and not merely majoritarian falsehood and rhetoric, see: https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/historical-or-fictional-city-choice-is-yours/articleshow/66611534.cms

Or read the book titled, Shahernama, by Saroopben Dhruv

The Strike of Mill Workers’ in Ahmadabad in 1918 and Gandhiji’s Fast.

Mahatma Gandhi and Fasts, Part-3

The many fasts that Gandhiji undertook have been well known and publicised. But it would be interesting to have a first hand account of what transpired within the inner circle of Gandhiji around the time he fasted through Mahadevbhai’s diaries as these diaries bring to light facts which are less known.

It is also important to understand that while Gandhiji was against undertaking fasts as a pressure tactic or for fulfillment of any demands, what were these fasts for? How Gandhiji justified the many fasts he undertook both publicly as well as within his inner circle?

This post covers the fast undertaken by Gandhiji in Ahmadabad during the strike of Mill workers’ in the year 1918 as explained in Mahadevbhai’s diary.

 Mahadevbhai’s Diary- Volume-4 - 13-11-1917 to 17-1-1919.

 Date 27-2-1918: [Mahadevbhai]: ‘During today’s morning prayer while describing the circumstances that had arisen out of the Kheda Satyagraha and worker’s strike [Gandhiji] spoke: “I have been saying that Satyagraha cannot be against the Government alone. Satyagraha can be undertaken under any situation or against anything...In Kheda the Satyagraha is against the Government, in Ahmedabad it is against the rich...the condition in Ahmedabad is also beautiful. I feel like sharing with you what the collector told me yesterday. I have not told this anywhere else. I find it appropriate to tell this in the ashram. He [collector] said that he is seeing for the first time in his life only here, a struggle between the mill owners and laborers with such goodwill. Even I feel that I have not seen such a good relation between the two parties before. You can see that though Ambalalbhai [Sarabhai] belongs to the opposite party, he had come for his food here yesterday and I have told him to take his food here again tomorrow...He understood why I am telling him to take his food here and he immediately agreed. What can be more beautiful than this? ...”

Date:12-3-18: [Mahadevbhai]: ...‘ Today Ambalal Sarabhai’s ‘personal and confidential’ letter arrived. The letter was long. [Gandhiji] Read and tore the letter...There itself a reply was written. I read the reply standing overhead. After which I asked to make a copy of the letter. [Gandhiji] Said that a copy of the letter cannot be made at all. Such things cannot be made public. It cannot stay [be written] in the diary also. I said that I will write whatever I remember and so [Gandhiji] agreed... The gist of Bapu’s letter [to Ambalalbhai Sarabhai] was as follows: “Your [Ambalalbhai’s] letter came which was read and torn off. I have not desired that there should be any pressure on the workers. If you will give more details of those pressurizing the workers than I will surly investigate. I am not concerned if workers join or do not join the work. I have continued to instruct that no worker should be stopped forcefully from going to the mill...You [Ambalalbhai] have assigned to me such work that how can I take the pleasure of staying with you? I greatly desire to meet your children. But how can it be possible right now? That is all in the future.”...

Date:17-3-1918: [Mahadevbhai]: ‘After the morning prayers in the ashram [Gandhiji] spoke of his vow/oath [significance of the pledge of undertaking a fast]’:

[Gandhiji]: “The step that I have taken right now [pledge of fast] is terrible but big thoughts rest behind it.  Terrible because all those who know me in Hindustan will be deeply saddened, they will lament. But along with that I have got an opportunity to explain to those people one beautiful element, and I should not miss that opportunity; with such thoughts I have taken this step [of fasting]. I have been impatient since past two days to explain to you the purpose of such a step [of fasting]...I have come here [to the ashram] in spite of Anasuyaben’s [Sarabhai] great insistence to keep me there... 

“...From the ancient culture of Hindustan, I have got such an element that even if only those of us who are sitting here know of it, then also we can enjoy the empire of the whole world. But before I explain that, I wish to say one thing. Right now there is only one person in Hindustan after whom lakhs of people are crazy, for whom lakhs of people may be ready to give up their lives. That person is Tilak Maharaj. Many times I feel that Tilak Maharaj has this great wealth... He has written on the mystery/significance of the Gita. But I feel that he [Tilak] has not recognized the ancient feeling and soul of Hindustan and so this is the condition of this country today. In his inner most thoughts he [Tilak] feels that we should become like Europeans...he suffered six years of imprisonment but that is to show a kind of European bravery; with such thoughts that let the people who are harassing us right now see how we can live for five years in jail... had Tilakji suffered the pains of jail in a spiritual manner then the condition would be different today and the result of his going to jail also would be different. I want to explain to him this. Many a times I have told him whatever I have wanted to say very humbly. But I have not told or written frankly... But this [element] thing is such that it cannot be explained by speaking or writing. To be able to experience this thing, I need to give a practical example. I have said it many times indirectly but if I get an opportunity like this one to give a clear example, I should not miss it, and this is that kind of an opportunity.

“Similarly, the second such person is Madanmohan Malaviya. Among the leaders of Hindustan he is the purest of all... However I feel that though he is so pure and has the knowledge of the Dharma too, he has not recognized the magnificent soul of Hindustan...This is also an opportunity to show him through practical example. I must show to both of them what the soul of Hindustan is.

“It has been twenty days since I am mingling with ten thousand workers. They took a pledge before me keeping Khuda and Ishwar before them. That time they [workers] took [the pledge] with enthusiasm... they had believed that by adhering to the pledge for twenty days, Khuda will definitely help. But Khuda did not help in that much time and put them to further test and so their faith became weak. They [workers] felt that they trusted this one man [Gandhiji] for so many days and suffered, and yet we did not receive anything. Had we not listened to this man [Gandhiji] and had indulged into Tofan/ mischief then also we would have received more than just 35% [wage] increase within a short time... I cannot tolerate this situation at all. That the pledge taken before me can be broken so easily and the reduction in the faith in God can be said to be the extinction of religion itself.   I cannot live to see the extinction of religion in this way from the work I am involved in. What it means to take a pledge should be explained to the workers by me. What can I do for it should be shown by me to the workers. If I cannot show that then I can be called a Baylo/woman... Therefore I took this step [of fasting] to stop the fall of those ten thousand people [workers]. That is why I took this pledge and it had a lightning effect. I had not expected it at all. Tears rolled down the eyes of the thousands of people who were present there. They recognized their soul, their spirit was awakened, and they got strength to stick to their pledge. I immediately recognized that religion has not disappeared from Hindustan and people can identify the soul. 

If Tilak Maharaj and Malaviyaji can be made to understand this, then a lot of work can be done in Hindustan...”

[Mahadevbhai]... ‘Explaining his fast he [Gandhiji] spoke further’:

 “My pledge [to not consume food] is so that the workers can abide by their vow, it is to make people understand the importance of a pledge ... if ten thousand workers break their pledge than the country will face destruction. It will be impossible to raise the issues of workers ever again. Everywhere an example will be given that for twenty days the workers suffered and they had a leader like Gandhi and yet they did not win. Therefore I had to think of ways to see that the workers remained strong somehow. How can I achieve this without putting myself through pain? ...And so I took this pledge [of fast].  I know that my pledge is impure/polluted. There is a possibility that the mill owners will take pity on me due to this pledge and give 35% increase to the workers. .. My wish is that only if they feel that it is justified then they should give a raise of 35%, and not give anything out of pity. However the natural outcome would be that and so for that reason alone I am ashamed of this pledge. I thought of two things- the pledge of the workers and my shame...I decided to tolerate my shame for the workers...So my pledge [to fast] is not as a threat to the Mill owners at all and I desire that the mill owners understand this clearly...

18-March-1918: [Mahadevbhai]: ‘He [Gandhiji] spoke the following at the time of the prayer:

“Today there is a possibility of a settlement before ten a.m....It is kind of settlement that I will never accept. But this is the problem of my pledge...there is a pressure on the Mill owners of my fast. They will feel this [pressure] no matter how much I say no to the same and the world will not believe it either..."

[Mahadevbahi]: ‘Today [Gandhiji] gave a reply to Devdas...’:

[Gandhiji]: “...Mill owners have not given [wage increase] for the steadfastness of the workers but have given [wage increase] due to my fast is what they believe...I was in a position to ask for more but at that time I accepted what was minimum, that indicates my simplicity, my humbleness and my logic. Had I not undertaken a fast, workers would have fallen. They lasted because of the fast. For such a resolve/vow/pledge, minimum demand alone is appropriate. ..”

 I would like to bring to the notice of readers here that in his autobiography, 'The story of my experiments with truth', Gandhiji writes about his fast as part of this strike as follows:

...“One morning-it was at a mill hands’ meeting-while I was still groping and unable to see my way clearly, the light came to me. Unbidden and all by themselves the words came to my lips: ‘unless the strikers rally,’ I declared to the meeting, ‘and continue the strike till the settlement is reached or till they leave the mills altogether, I will not touch any food.’...

In Mahadevbhai’s diary however, while speaking after the morning prayers in the Sabarmati ashram, Gandhiji explains in great detail the ‘big thoughts’ behind his pledge of fasting during the mill workers’ strike – many of these thoughts are not detailed in Gandhiji’s autobiography.  

Further it is interesting to note that in Gandhiji’s autobiography in the chapters that deal with the workers’ strike in Ahmedabad, he does not mention or disclose the personal and confidential correspondence between himself and the industrialist Ambalalbhai Sarabhai, which he did not wish to make public at the time of the strike.

Mahadevbhai Desai’s diaries therefore detail a history that is certainly less known.

End.