Kunihar Praja Mandal

• Formation:
  • After their release in 1928, the leaders made ‘Shimla’ their headquarters.
  • The Kunihar Praja Mandal was formally organized in Shimla in 1939.
• Chief Leaders: Shri Babu Kanshi Ram, Gauri Shankar, etc.
• Banned: On 13th June 1939, the Rana declared the Praja Mandal an “unlawful body”.

Demands & Victory (July 1939)

The success in Kunihar “emboldened” the Dhami Praja Mandal to try similar tactics against their own Rana.

Deputation (8th July 1939): A deputation presented the Rana with their demands.

The Demands:

Release of political workers.

25% reduction in land revenue.

Lifting the ban on the Praja Mandal.

Setting up of a Reforms Committee.

Rana Accepts (9th July 1939):

The Rana decided to accept the demands.

He agreed to preside over a Praja Mandal meeting.

The Meeting: The meeting was attended not only by Kunihar residents but also by people from Dhami, Bhajji, Nalagarh, Mehlog, and Baghal. The General Secretary of the HRPM (Himalayan Riyasti Praja Mandal) was also present.

Significance:

This was the “first victory of democratic forces against an autocratic ruler.”

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 DHAMI TRAGEDY (1939)

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 Background & Location

• Dhami:
  • A small principality ruled by a Rana.
• Location:
  • About 16 miles west of Shimla and 6 miles from Jutog.
• Grievances:
  • People had numerous grievances against the ruler, including economic exploitation and denial of rights.

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 Initial Demands

The people’s early demands included:

1. Abolition of ‘Begar’ (forced labor).
2. Reduction of land revenue by 50%.
3. Recognition of the ‘Riyasati Praja Mandal, Dhami’.
4. Grant of civil liberties.

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 Formation of the Praja Mandal

Initial Step (1937):

• People, aware of denial of civil liberties, first focused on social and religious reforms.
• Formed the ‘Prem Pracharini Sabha, Dhami State’.

Conversion (13th July 1939):

• The Prem Pracharini Sabha converted itself into the ‘Dhami Riyasati Mandal’.

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 Demands of the Dhami Praja Mandal

• Leader: Shri Sita Ram.
• Recipient: Rana Dalip Singh of Dhami.
• Three Main Demands:
  1. Abolition of Begar.
  2. Reduction in land revenue.
  3. Recognition of the Dhami Praja Mandal.
• Response:
  • The Rana rejected all three demands outrightly.

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 The Procession (16th July 1939)

• Delegation:
  • A group of seven members, led by Bhag Mal Sautha, proceeded towards Dhami to present the charter of demands in person.
• Crowd Support:
  • At the state border, they were joined by about 1,500 people.

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 Arrest at Ghanahatti

• At Ghanahatti, Bhag Mal Sautha was arrested.
• The Congress flag he carried was snatched away and burnt.

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 The Firing

• Shortly after Bhag Mal’s arrest, the police—
  • Without any warning or order of dispersal—
  • Began a lathi charge, followed by stone pelting and then firing on the peaceful crowd.
• Casualties:
  • Two persons were killed:
    • Shri Uma Dutt
    • Durga
  • Several others were injured.

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 Immediate Aftermath

• The people demanded an independent enquiry into the firing.
• The Rana ignored all such demands.
• Letters and appeals were sent to national leaders.

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 Appeal to National Leaders

• Approached Leaders: M.K. Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Deputation to Gandhiji:

Included:

• Sarvshri Sita Ram
• K.S. Sautha
• Bhaskara Nand
• Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur

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 Stance of Gandhi & Nehru

• Gandhiji’s View:
  • Did not approve the demand for a responsible government in such a small state “at so short a notice.”
  • Felt that the firing was uncalled for.
  • Said it was the duty of the paramount power to deprive the chiefs of powers they misused.
• Nehru’s Action:
  • Sent Shri Shanti Swarup Dhawan to conduct an on-the-spot investigation.
  • Dhawan met both the Rana and the people.

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 Non-Official Enquiry Committee (30th July 1939)

• Formation:
  • Set up on 30th July 1939 to investigate the tragedy.
• Chairman: Lala Duni Chand Ambalvi.
• Members:
  • Shri Dev Suman (Tehri-Garhwal)
  • Shri Shyam Lal Khanna (President, Shimla District Congress Committee)

Report & Recommendations:

• Suggested:
  1. The firing incident should be inquired into by a High Court judge.
  2. Punishment for those responsible for the unprovoked firing.
  3. Improvement in civil administration.

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 Significance & Impact

1. Exposure of Deplorable State:
   • The Dhami firing exposed the deplorable condition of administration in Dhami and other small Hill States.
2. Political Awakening:
   • Marked a turning point in political consciousness among the hill people.
3. Boost to Freedom Struggle:
   • Provided a great boost to the freedom movement in the hill regions.
4. Momentum:
   • The public movement gained momentum throughout the Hill States after the tragedy.

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 Summary Timeline

Date / Year	Event	Key Details
1937	Formation of Prem Pracharini Sabha	Social & religious reform in Dhami
13 July 1939	Sabha becomes Dhami Riyasati Mandal	Political organization formed
16 July 1939	Procession & Firing	Bhag Mal Sautha arrested; firing kills Uma Dutt & Durga
30 July 1939	Non-official Enquiry Committee formed	Chaired by Lala Duni Chand Ambalvi
1939 (July–Aug)	Appeal to Gandhi & Nehru	Gandhiji condemns firing; Nehru sends Dhawan to inquire