Maharashtra Governor's report to President in 1962

Dear friends,
In 1962, China imposed a war on India. The articles published then reflected the mood in India, against the backdrop of the war. In Maharashtra also, some reports were prepared. Though most of these reports are not available for public consumption now, the office of Governor of Maharashtra took a laudable step and made available the report quoted below through a press release issued on November 20, 2012. Here is the text of the press release:

Raj Bhavan, Mumbai

20 November 2012

PRESS RELEASE

50 years of Chinese Aggression

Governor’s Report to President captures the jingoist mood of Mumbai and Maharashtra post Chinese aggression of 1962

A Fortnightly Report of historic significance sent by the officiating Governor of Maharashtra Justice H. K. Chainani to the President of India Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the immediate aftermath of the Chinese aggression of India in 1962 has brought to light the feeling of indignation, anger and the mood of jingoism generated in Mumbai and Maharashtra following China’s action.

The Report dated 1^st November 1962 written by Justice H K Chainani has now been made a public document in the archives created by the Governor of Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.

Justice Chainani was Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and was officiating as Governor of Maharashtra during 7 October 1962 – 27 November 1962 following the death of Governor P. Subbarayan while in office in 1962.

The Report from the Governor to the President of India reads thus:

“The people of Maharashtra have responded whole-heartedly to the call of the Prime Minister to make a united and determined effort to oust the Chinese aggressor from our northern frontiers. They are fully alive to the obligation imposed upon us to defend our land and our freedom.

At a meeting of representatives of all political parties excluding Communists, and prominent industrialists and citizens convened by the Chief Minister on October 27, it was decided to form Citizens’ Committees at the State and city levels and in every ward in Greater Bombay. These Committees will collect funds, keep up public morale and also see that no anti social elements take advantage of the existing emergency. They will also coordinate the activities of the various other organisations.

On the 29^th October, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a 36-member Citizens’ Defence Committee in Greater Bombay. He is himself the Chairman of the Committee.”

Processions and rallies:

“On the New Year day, 29^th October, processions were taken out in different parts of Greater Bombay. These terminated at Chowpatty sands in front of the statue of Lokmanya Tilak where one of the biggest meetings ever held in Bombay was then held. Over one lac of people attended this meeting. It was presided over by the Chief Minister and it was addressed by leaders of parties other than the Communists.”

Strong Anti Communist feelings:

The Governor’s report continues:  “The popular feeling against the Communists is so strong that when the crowd saw Mr P. K. Atre, an editor of a local Marathi paper, who it looked upon as a fellow traveller, it became restless and began to hold demonstrations against him. These died down only after the Chief Minister had made a personal appeal to their sense of discipline and assured them that Mr Atre would not speak at the meeting. The citizens of Bombay expressed their firm determination to resist Chinese aggression and to drive them out from the soil of India. The Chief Minister announced a five-point programme for immediate implementation by the people of Bombay.  This  includes raising  of  Rs 10 Crores  as the first installment towards the National Defence Fund, collection of workers’ wages and employers’ profits of one extra working day per month, blood donations, abstention from strikes and lock-outs, increase in production and prevention of hoarding and rise in prices. The people present at the meeting stood up in perfect discipline and took the following pledge (please refer to the enclosed letter for wordings of the oath –PRO). It was read out by the Chief Minister in Hindi and repeated by the entire gathering.

Another big meeting, attended by about one lac of persons, was held in Poona. Meetings and demonstrations have also been held in other cities, towns and villages. Donations to the National Defence Fund are pouring in. Large number of people, including Government servants, have donated their blood for being used for the jawans fighting on the front. Various Labour Unions have resolved to abstain from strikes during the period of emergency. Some of them have directed their members to contribute one day’s wages to the National Defence Fund. All the parties, except a section of the Communists, are now united in a common determination to defend the country and its freedom.

The decision of the Prime Minister to himself take over the Defence portfolio has been welcomed by all sections of the people. There is a widespread feeling that retired Generals, like General Cariappa and General Thimmayya should be recalled to duty so that their knowledge and experience may be utilized in defending the country.”

People enthusiastic to join Army:

The report further mentions: “A large crowd of persons anxious to join the Army had collected at the Apollo Bunder Army Recruitment Centre on the morning of Monday, the 29^th October.  Queues had started forming long before the dawn.  When the Centre opened, the rush was so great that some wooden gates were broken and the police had to be summoned to control the crowd. Similar scenes of enthusiasm to join the Army are reported to have been witnessed at other recruitment centres also. Hundreds of people, representing cross sections of the population have been thronging the recruitment centres since then. These include civilians well placed in life and the students are also well represented.

The Home Guards organization is being re-organised and considerably expanded. The Women’s Wing of the Home Guards is planning to mobilize the services of its members for knitting woollen garments for the jawans.”

Winter session of Legislature shifts its venue:

“The next session of the State Legislature had been summoned to meet in Nagpur on 19^th November. In view of the present emergency, it has been decided to hold the session in Bombay.” (excerpts)

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History records that Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was invited by Prime Minster Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to join his cabinet as Defence Minister. Chavan became Defence Minister on 14^thNovember 1962 following the resignation of V. K. Krishna Menon on 31^st October 1962.

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* Captions and comments in italics not part of the Document.