Sensational Journey of Vijayalakshmi Bhatt, Child Widow of Olpad

- Dr. Makrand Mehta

- A case of child murder was heard in the criminal court of Surat in February 191 but no one asked him, 'Which man are you pregnant with?' Vijayalakshmi also remained silent. British judge Hemik blames Vijayalakshmi for 'infant' murder and sentences him to death

Vijaya Lakshmi, who was born in 19th year, got married to ten year old child Kashibhai Pranlal in the eighth year according to the custom of that time. Luckily as there was a girls school in Olpad at that time, she studied with some child widows without black sari, bodu matu and bangles. At that time, as a result of the activities of social reformers like Durgaram Mehta, Narmad, Behramji Malabari and Mahipatram Rooparam, child widows could attend school. After reading six Gujarati books, Vijayalakshmi got a job as a school teacher, so her self-confidence increased but so did her youth. He was caught by a police constable while he was trying to escape. A case of child murder was filed against him in the Surat Criminal Court in February 191, but no one asked him, "Which man are you pregnant with?" Vijayalakshmi also remained silent. English judge Hemik blamed Vijayalakshmi for the murder of the 'infant' and sentenced him to death. To express that Vijayalakshmi's 'Samvedanyatra' is very tragic, we will talk about the Hindi film 'Zinnat' released in 19th. At one time it became famous all over the country with the roles of Noor Jahan, Karan Dewan, Naseem and Yakub. Zinnat (Noorjahan) becomes a widow like Vijayalakshmi and becomes a child. The following gloomy Urdu song Vijayalakshmi's Urmi is also like that.

"Andhiya gum ki yun chali

The garden was deserted

Samajte the asara jise

Wo bhi bichad ke rah gaya

Don't ask

Ujde hai is tarah se hum

Ghar ka chirag kya booza

The house was deserted

Even out of i on moose

A little c late ho crocodile

Laughter is the only way to shed tears

Raag badad ke rah gaya

Andhiya gum ki yun chali "

Luckily for Vijayalakshmi, progressive newspapers like the Times of India, Jame Jamshed, Indian Spectator, Mumbai Samachar and Rast Goftar from Mumbai, Gujarat Mitra from Surat and Ahmedabad's Shamsher Bahadur, Hitechchu and Ahmedabad Samachar, which were published at the time, sided with Vijayalakshmi. Criticized. As a result of the press campaign, Vijayalakshmi's case went to the Mumbai High Court.

A lawyer from Maharashtra named Shantaram Narayan argued as Vijayalakshmi's lawyer and was strongly supported by the owner of a Gujarati newspaper and editor Ichcharam Suryaram Desai and the editor of The India Spectator Bahramji Malabari as well as Shamsher Bahadur from Ahmedabad. Every newspaper made the public aware by publishing headlines along with news rumors as Shamsher Bahadur wrote an article titled Vijayalakshmi's case and the status of Hindu child widows in its May 9, 181 issue.

'Advanced clause is one of our guesses

Without bias, beneficial to the people

Even Rasam Nathari, will see if yours

Chit kalam chitari, dei deshe utari '

Narmad was still alive and he and Ichchharam Desai defended Vijayalakshmi in Ichcharam's newspaper called 'Gujarati'. Progressive English and Gujarati media had an impact on the Mumbai High Court. Ta. On December 16, High Court Judge Raymond West ruled that "Bai has committed a crime, I have declared her guilty of murder." I reduce the sentence of the offender to five years in prison. '

Only he knows the pain of being sentenced to jail! Vijayalakshmi was released from Mumbai jail in 19 and died prematurely. Good luck to him at that time in Mumbai Madhavdas Rugnathdas and Dhankor Sir Mangaldar Nathubhai, Jamnaben Rakai, Dr. Social reformers and educators like Bhau Daji, Premchand Raichand, Jamshedji Jijibhai, Mahadev Govind Rande, Morlibai Sethani, Manekji Petit and Zaverilal Umiyashankar Yagnik lived. In Mumbai, girls' schools were started and spread as far as 19 and progressive and service-oriented organizations like Prarthna Samaj, Revasadan, Shardasadan, Widow Marriage Association and Hindu Widows Home were established here. After his release from jail, Vijayalakshmi got a job in a girls' school in Byculla. New springs sprouted in the desolate garden, educating and encouraging hundreds of girls. Surprisingly, he did not say the name of the man until the death of Arya Sannari on May 9, 1908. There was a strong fear of the patriarchal society. If it was today's time, it would have been completely different, but this is a matter of 150 years ago. He kept his 'gum' in his mind.