THE month of November, 1947, was a month of tragedy for the newborn state of Pakistan as India occupied two states which had legally and formally acceded to Pakistan as part of the scheme of Partition. These states are now located in the present Gujarat province. The Junagarh State was surrounded by Indian territory, but it has a long coastline with a well-developed part for easy access to Karachi. The month will be particularly remembered by the Memon community as one in which they faced one of the worst tragedies in the community’s lifetime.
The community, in general, and the members of the community from Bantva, Kutiyana and Junagarh had to abandon their birth places and migrate to Pakistan in November 1947. It is unfortunate that the month of November 2003 passed without anybody remembering this tragedy.
Yusuf Abdul Gani Mandvia, a bold journalist of high calibre and writer of many books on pre-partition Indian politics, was present in Junagarh during the last days of its occupation. 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 three years’ imprisonment in Junagarh, imposed on him by the Indian occupation forces in Junagarh. The following information is based on Mr Mandvia’s Gujrati books and about the happenings in Bantva and Kutiyana — the home of some of big business magnates of the Memon community. This information is based on Tarikh-i-Bantva by Aziz Kaya.
The Junagarh government conveyed its consent to accede to Pakistan as early as August 12, 1947. This decision was published in Dasturul Amal of Junagarh State on August 15, 1947. The instrument of accession was, however, formally signed by the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on September 15, 1947, and accordingly the accession was notified in Gazette of Pakistan and Dasturul Amal of Junagarh State on that date. V.P. Menon, the secretary of the states department of the Government of India rushed to Junagarh on September 17, 1947, and met Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Chief Minister of Junagarh. Mr Menon insisted that he had brought a message from the Indian Government and will like to deliver the message to Nawab saheb only. Shah Nawaz Bhutto showed his inability to arrange a meeting with Nawab saheb, as he was not feeling well. Mr Menon expressed his displeasure over this refusal but finally conveyed the message of the Indian Government to Mr Bhutto, insisting that Junagarh should withdraw its accession to Pakistan. Mr Bhutto told Mr Menon that the accession was now complete and according to international law, only the Government of Pakistan can talk on the subject. Mr Menon left after threats of dire consequences.
Mr Menon immediately went to Bombay and called a meeting of Saamar Das Gandhi, a journalist of Rajkot, and his accomplices who were already present in Bombay according to a pre-arranged scheme. He unfolded the scheme of Arzi Hukumat (provisional government) to them.
On September 25, 1947, a meeting was held in Madhav Garden of Bombay where the formal announcement of the formation of Arzi Hukumat of Junagarh was made. Saamar Das Gandhi was nominated as President of the provisional government and some of his colleagues were declared as ministers with various portfolios, and took oath of their respective offices. Saamar Das Gandhi was the son of Lakshami Das Karamch Gandhi, brother of Mohan Das Karamchand, the father of Mahatma Gandhi. He was not a resident of Junagarh State.
Immediately after announcement of the Provisional Government, the ministers of the provisional government proceeded to Rajkot and occupied Junagarh House September 27, 2003. The Indian Government acted as a silent spectator.
As a part of the preparation for occupation of Junagarh, the Kathiawar Defence Force was formed by the Government of India with Brigadier Guru Dayal Singh as Commanding Officer and with its headquarters in Rajkot. Three war ships were anchored at the port of Porbandar. A squadron consisting of eight Tempest aircraft was stationed at Rajkot and additional companies of the Indian Armed Forces were deployed at Rajkot. The Indian aircraft started flying over the Junagarh territory at very low height to harass the public.
On November 8, 1947, Shah Nawaz Bhutto sent a letter to Nilam Butch, the provincial head of the Indian Government in Rajkot, requesting him to help in restoring law and order situation in Junagarh to stop the blood shade of the innocent citizens. Harvey Johnson took the message to Rajkot. The head of the Indian administration immediately rang up V.P. Menon in Delhi and read out the letter of Shah Nawaz Bhutto to him. Mr Menon immediately rushed to the residence of Pandit Jawahir Lal Nehru and explained the situation. After consultation, a formal order was immediately drafted and a notification was issued announcing the take over of Junagarh at the request of the Chief Minister of Junagarh. The notification promised a referendum in due course.
Shah Nawaz Bhutto left Junagarh for Karachi on the night of November 8, 1947. On November 9, 1947, the Indian Air force sent several sorties to fly at a low height on the Junagarh. Soon thereafter, columns of Indian tanks, armour vehicles and jeeps carrying Indian solders entered the state of Junagarh. At 6pm on November 9, 1947, Captain Harvey Johnson and Chief Secretary, Mr Gheewala, a civil servant of Junagarh State, formally handed over the charge of the State to India.
Junagarh was occupied on November 9, 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 November 8, 1947, to occupy Kutiyana.
