Ae Watan Mere Watan: The Story of Usha Mehta and Congress Radio

Context

“Ae Watan Mere Watan,” movie was released recently based on the biography of Usha Mehta.

About Usha Mehta

• Usha Mehta was a law student in Bombay. 
• At the age of 22 years, she was inspired by Gandhi and joined the Quit India Movement for contributing in the freedom struggle.
• Method of Struggle Employed: 
  • She did not fancy leading public demonstrations.
  • Radio as a Medium: Based on her study of the history of revolutions in other countries of the world, she suggested establishing a radio station in India.
  • She was instrumental in establishing Congress Radio, an underground radio station that operated during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Background of Quit India Movement: Do or Die

• Launched on:  August 8, 1942.
• Slogan of ‘Do or Die’: by Mahatma Gandhi at Bombay’s Gowalia Tank maidan. 
• Method of Struggle: Mass civil disobedience, massive public demonstrations calling for the end of British rule, acts of public sabotage, and even the setting up of parallel governments in certain regions.
• British Response: Britishers were already stretched due to World War II. 
  • They arrested many protestors in response. 
  • The Congress’ senior leadership, including Gandhi ji, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhai Patel, were put in prison by August 9 itself, and the party was banned.
• Result: A new crop of younger leaders took the lead, sustaining the QIM even amidst brutal repression by colonial authorities.

Setting up an Underground Radio Station

• Need: 

  • At the advent of the War in 1939, the British had suspended all amateur radio licences across the Empire. 
    • To spread the message of Independence: Launched as part of the Quit India Movement, Congress Radio was one of the earliest radio networks established in India. 
    • It was used by Gandhiji to spread the message of Independence.

• Organisers: 

  • Alongside Usha Mehta, Babubhai Khakar, Vithalbhai Jhaveri, and Chandrakant Jhaveri were key figures in organising Congress Radio.

• Challenges:

  • Procurement of funds for the enterprise.
  • Getting technical expertise, and equipment:  Radio transmission was still at its infancy, and there were few people in India who could operate the equipment. Fewer still were Indians.

• Contribution of Nariman Printer: 

  • Nariman Printer held an amateur transmitting licence prior to the War. He managed to hold on to various parts of his transmitter despite the aforementioned ban.
    • He was able to put together a working radio transmitter.

Significance of the Congress Radio 

• Became the most favoured news source for Indians: As the Indians were denied information on the national movement and the War by colonial censors. 
  • Example; Chittagong bomb raid, Jamshedpur strike, establishment of Parallel Government in Ballia, atrocities in Ashti and Chimur etc. 
• Broadcasted Political Speeches: Directly addressing  students, workers, and peasants. 
• Motive to Reach Masses: Broadcasts were made both in English and Hindustani.
• Directives to Indian People: Gave certain directives to the Indian people in their fight for freedom.

End to the Radio

• Efforts to avoid detection by Britishers: Changed transmission locations every few days.
• Final Broadcast: The operation was finally busted after the capture of Nariman Printer, who in return for immunity, disclosed the location of Congress Radio.
• Trial Proceedings: The trial of the five accused in the Congress Radio case: Mehta, Babubhai Khakar, Vithalbhai Jhaveri, Chandrakant Jhaveri, and Nanak Gainchand Motwane generated a lot of excitement in Bombay. 
  • Acquitted: Vithalbhai and Motwane were acquitted, 
  • Punishments: Usha Mehta, Babubhai, and Chandrakant received stern sentences. 
• Released from Jail: Usha Mehta was released from Pune’s Yerawada Jail in March 1946, and hailed in the nationalist media as “Radio-ben”. 
• Later Years of Life: Her ill health kept her out of active politics in independent India, but she remained a staunch Gandhian till the very end.
• Recognition: The Union Government conferred upon her the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in 1998. 
• Passed Away: She passed away after a brief illness in 2000.