Although, the Indian Territory surrounded the JS but it has a long coast line with a well developed part for easy access to Karachi. The month will be particularly remembered by the Memon community as a month, in which they faced one of the worst tragedy in the community's life time. The community in general and the members of community from Bantva, Kutiyana and Junagadh had to abandon their birth places and migrate to Pakistan in November, 1947.
It is unfortunate that the month of November, is about to pass without anybody remembering this tragedy. The happenings of November, 1947 are important not only for Memon community but for the entire Pakistan nation also as these states had legally acceded to Pakistan, and were forcibly occupied by India.
While the Government of Pakistan and the country's political parties have already forgotten the issue, the people from these states remembered this occasion, at least through Press statements or occasional meetings in the name of Junagadh Day every year but the November, keep passing since the incident happened through without even such statements. It is, therefore, necessary to freshen the memory of our people by presenting to them a brief account of the happenings of November 1947.
Yusuf Abdul Gani Mandvia, a bold Memon journalist of high caliber and writer of many books on pre-partition Indian Politics was present in Junagadh during the last days of the occupation of Junagadh. He had first hand information, about these happenings. The following chronological account of these days is based on one of his books in Gujrati published in Karachi after he migrated to Pakistan after serving a three years imprisonment in Junagadh imposed on him by Indian occupation forces in Junagadh. The following information is based on Mandvia's Gujrati books publish in sixteen, and the information about happenings in Bantva and Kutiyana, the home of some of big business magnets of the Memon community. This information is based on "Tarikh-e-Bantva" by Aziz Kaya.
The Junagadh government conveyed its consent to acceed to Pakistan as early as on 12th August, 1947.
This decision was published in Dasturul Amal of Junagadh State on 15th August, 1947. The instrument of accession was however, formally signed by Quaid-e-Azam on 15th September, 1947 and accordingly the accession was notified in Gazelle of Pakistan and Dasturul Amal of Junagadh State on that date. V.P. Menon, the secretary of States department of Government of India rushed to Junagadh on 17th September 1947, and met Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Chief Minister of Junagadh. Memon insisted that he had brought a message of Indian Government, and will like to deliver it to Nawab Saheb only. Shah Nawaz Bhutto showed his inability to arrange a meeting with Nawab Saheb as he was not feeling well. Menon expressed his displeasure over this refusal, but finally conveyed the message of Indian Government to Bhutto insisting that Junagadh should withdraw its accession to Pakistan.
Bhutto told Menon, that the accession was now complete, and according to the international law only the Government of Pakistan can talk on the subject. Memon left after the threats of dire consequences.
Menon immediately went to Mumbai, and called a meeting of Saamar Das Gandhi a journalist of Rajkot and his accomplices, who were already present in Mumbai according to a pre arranged scheme. He unfolded the scheme of "Arziee Hukumat" (Provisional Government) to them.
On 24th September 1947, Mahatma Gandhi condemned the action of Junagadh Government in strong words in a prayer meeting held at Delhi. This was a green signal for starting the process of the occupation of Junagadh.
On 25th September 1947, a meeting was held in Madhav Garden of Mumbai, where formal announcement of the formation of "Arzee Hukumat" or Provisional Government of Junagarh was made. Saamar Das Gandhi was nominated as the President of the Provisional Government. Saamar Das Gandhi and some of his colleagues who were declared as ministers with various portfolios took oath of their respective offices. Saamar Das Gandhi was son of Lakshami Das Karamch Gandhi and brother of Mohan Das Karamchand Gandi, who was the father of Mahatma Gandhi and also was not the resident of Junagadh State.
Immediately after announcement of the Provisional Government, the ministers of the provisional government proceeded to Rajkot and occupied Junagadh House on 27th September 1947. The Indian Government acted as a silent spectator.
In the meanwhile, there was some exchange of letters & telegrams between the government of India and Pakistan. Pakistan took a firm stand and told the Indian Government, that the accession was in accordance with the Scheme of Independence announced by the outgoing British Government and Junagadh was now part of Pakistan. While, this exchange of correspondence was going on, the Indian Government encircled the Junagadh State and stopped the movement of goods, transport and postal articles to and from Junagadh.
As a part of the preparation for occupation of the Junagadh a "Kathiawar Defence Force" was formed by the Government of Indian with Brigadier Guru Dayal Singh, as Commanding Officer and head quarter in Rajkot. There were three war ships, were anchored at the port of Porbandar. A squadron, consisting of eight Tempest air crafts, was stationed at Rajkot and additional companies of Armed Forces were deployed at Rajkot. The Indian aircrafts started to fly over Junagadh territory at very low heights to harass the public.
The scattered attacks on the villages and small towns of the Junagadh State, by the forces of provisional government started causing of heavy damage to life & property of Muslim population. In the view of worsening situation and threats received from various sources, the Nawab of Junagadh and his family left Junagadh and arrived in Karachi on 25th October 1947.
On 27th October 1947, Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Chief Minister of Junagadh wrote a letter to Quaid-e-Azam explaining the critical situation, in which the State Government was placed due to actions of Indian Government. The situation kept worsening, Bhutto sent another letter on 27th October 1947, to Ikramullah, he was then the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sought help and directions of the Government of Pakistan. Unfortunately, there was no response from the Government of Pakistan. When all hopes for assistance from government of Pakistan were lost, Shah Nawaz Bhutto sent a letter on 1st November 1947, to Nawab Saheb at Karachi, explaining the situation and the dangers to the lives and properties of entire Muslim population of Junagadh, as an armed attack by the Indian Government and its stooge, whereas the provisional government was imminent. In a return telegram, the Nawab Saheb authorised Bhutto to act in the best interest of the Muslim population of Junagadh and save their lives.
A meeting of Junagadh State Council was called on 5th November 1947, to discuss the critical situation. The Council authorised Bhutto to take appropriate action. Shah Nawaz Bhutto sent Captain Harvey Johnson, a senior member of the Council of Ministers to Rajkot to meet high Indian officials. Instead of, meeting the Indian officials, Johnson met the officials of Provisional Government and brought back the threats of dire consequences, if the Junagadh did not surrender itself to the Provisional Government.
Another meeting of the Junagadh State Council was again convened on 7th November 1947. Some prominent citizens of the Junagadh State were also invited at the meeting. The meeting continued till 3 O'clock late night, and decided that instead of surrendering to the so-called Provisional Government, the Indian Government may be requested to take over the administration of Junagadh to protect the lives of its citizens, which were being constantly threatened by unruly forces of Provisional Government.
On 8th November 1947, Shah Nawaz Bhutto sent a letter to Nilam Butch, the Provincial Head of Indian Government in Rajkot, requesting him to help him in restoring the law & order situation in Junagadh, to stop the blood shade of the innocent citizens.
Harvey Johnson took the message to Rajkot. The head of Indian Administration immediately rang up V.P. Menon in Delhi and read out the letter of Shah Nawaz Bhutto to him. Menon immediately rushed to the residence of Pandit Jawahir Lal Nehru and explained the situation. After consultation with various ministers and Valabh Bhai Patel, the home minister in particular, a formal order was immediately drafted, and a notification was issued, announcing the take over of Junagadh at the request of the Chief Minister of Junagadh. The notification promised a referendum in due course.
Shah Nawaz Bhutto left Junagadh for Karachi on the night of 8th November 1947. On 9th
November 1947, the Indian Air Force sent several sorties to fly at a low height on the Junagadh.
Soon thereafter columns of Indian tanks, Armour Vehicles and Jeeps carrying Indian soldiers entered Junagadh State. At 6:00 P.M. on 9th November 1947, Captain Harvey Johnson and Chief
Secretary Gheewala, a civil servant of Junagadh State, formally handed over the charge of the State to the Indian Government.
On the same day, Jawahir LaI Nehru sent a telegram to Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan conveying the take-over of Junagadh. Liaquat Ali Khan sent a return telegram to Nehru stating that the Junagadh was Pakistani territory, and nobody, except Pakistan Government was authorised to invite anybody to Junagadh. He also accused Indian Government's naked aggression on Pakistan's territory and violation of International law.
On 13th November 1947, Valabh Bhai Patel, an Indian Minister and the Architect of the take-over came to Junagadh. A big procession was taken out and large meeting was held in the ground of Bahauddin College. In his speech Patel criticised the Muslim population of Junagadh and particularly the Memon community for its help to All India Muslim League before partition. Later he asked the audience if they wanted to join India or Pakistan. The audience which mainly consisted of Hindu population raised their hands in favour of India. This was but natural in the given situation. Patel termed this response from the audience as Referendum promised by the Indian Government.
Immediately after take over of the State, all the Muslim officials of the State were put behind the bars. They included two prominent Memon gentlemen. Yusuf Mandvia, the bold journalist of the State and Ismail Abrehani, a senior minister in the Junagadh Government, who had taken the instrument of Accession to Quaid-e-Azam for his signature. Mandvia served a three year jail term and later on migrated to Pakistan. Abrehani refused to leave Junagadh, even when, he was offered to go to Pakistan while serving the jail term saying that inspite of, its occupation, Junagadh was the part of Pakistan according to the International law and he will prefer to die here. He stayed & died in Junagadh.
The story of occupation of Junagadh, will not be complete without discussing the happenings in Bantva and Kutiyana, where most of the big business magnets of Memon community resided. Bantva was part of the princely state of Manavadar. The rulers of Manavadar were indecisive about joining either of the two newly created dominions. The Muslim residents of Bantva, who mainly belonged to Memon community, organised a big public in early September 1947, demanding accession of Manavadar including Bantva with Pakistan. A deputation of dignitaries met Khanje of Manavadar on 9th September 1947, to urge him to announce accession to Pakistan.
On the persuasion of the subjects of the state, Manavadar accounced its accession to Pakistan on 25th September 1947. This was naturally not acceptable to Indian Government, which sent two companies of its armed forces to Bantva under the command of Colonel Himmayat Singhjee on 3rd October 1947. The invading forces took over all government offices and declared Bantva as a part of the Indian union. Army pickets were established at various places in Bantva. On the same day Sardargadh, a neighbouring town of Bantva was also occupied. Manavadar was occupied on 23rd October 1947, and the rulers were arrested and taken away first to Jamnagar and then to Rajkot.
The night time curfew was imposed in Bantva immediately after its take-over. In the meantime, more army enforcement kept arriving to strengthen the occupation forces Muslims were prevented from sacrificing cows on Eid-ul-Azha and also from saying Eid prayer in main Eidgah.
The Junagadh was occupied on 9th November 1947, but two days before this occupation, the 8th Sikh regiment reached Kutiyana. More forces consisting of 40 trucks and 50 jeeps also joined the Sikh regiment on 8th November 1947, to occupy Kutiyana which was the part of Junagadh State. Some brave Muslims of Kutiyana resisted the occupation, but could not stand long before an organised force. Many Muslims of Kutiyana scarified their lives in the process.
On 10th November 1947, the population of Kutiyana was officially genocide by the personnels of the army of provisional government. They demolished the houses and snuck off with all valuables and other things. In this process physical injuries were also inflicted on the innocent citizens. Shops were looted and burnt - all in the presence of Indian Army.
In the meanwhile, uneasy calm prevailed in Bantva whose residents knew that they were the next target. Valabh Bhai Patel were the then Interior Minister of India & others made inflammatory speeches while addressing a public meeting in Junagadh on 13th November, 1974 against Muslims in general an Memon community of Bantva in particular which had made handsome contribution to the Press Fund of Muslims League when Quaid-e-Azam visited Bantva in January, 1940. These speeches added fuel to fire and the population of Bantva was attacked in the midnight of 15th November, 1947. The attackers mainly consisted of farm labour of adjoining villages. They broke open the doors of houses with their axes and took away everything which they could lay hand on including currency, jewellery and clothing.
They loaded their bullock carts with their loot. No one could help anybody because Muslims were not allowed to come out of their homes to help their fellow brothers by the curfew enforcing army. The cries of help from men and women raised by the residents whose houses were being attacked are still remembered by this writer inspite of his young age at that time.
The entire population of Bantva was in a state of shock and helplessness. The loot continued till next morning. The residents of Bantva, now, knew that it was impossible for them to continue to stay in Bantva. They left their houses and shops with all their belongings including valuable and migrated to Pakistan by ships through Okha part or Mumbai. Ninty percent of population from Bantva had left their birth place within a short period of one month.