People's Democracy

Ratlam Remembers Its Martyrs

SHAHEED CHOWK at Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, witnessed a programme on July 16, in memory of those who courted martyrdom here during the anti-imperialist struggle. The martyrs remembered on the day were Mangilal, Surajmal, Mangal Singh Ghasi, Dassau Thakur, Naseer and Abdul Rashid Azeem Khan who fell to imperialist bullets on this day in 1946. Apart from those who sacrificed their lives, many were injured in the British firing on the day.

The programme was organised by the Joint Committee of Trade Unions that includes the CITU and AITUC.

It will be noted that the police force of British India opened fire on a big working class procession against British imperialism, the capitalists, feudal landlords and the raja of Ratlam. The firing was unprovoked, indiscriminate and started without prior warning. The agitation that had begun against the Sajjan Mill’s owners, soon turned against the raja of Ratlam and the British imperialists when they came to the rescue of the mill owners.

The programme began with loud slogans of red salute to the martyrs and Inqilab Zindabad when the participants paid floral tributes at the martyrs column. Addressing the gathering, leaders of the CPI(M), CPI, AITUC and CITU said these martyrs’ memories would always inspire the struggles in defence of democratic and trade union rights, the struggles for secularism and communal harmony, and those against exploitation and oppression. 

The venue was set up and decorated by Suvalal Sharma, who had been jailed for participating in that agitation.