First jail visit

The visit of the Prince of Wales in 1921 provided the Congress with an opportunity to show that it was a non-violent organization and could organize nationwide boycott effectively. The viceroy and secretary of state had thought of the visit as on assurance for the regime that there was enough loyalty among the people and that sovereignty in the person of a prince still commanded respect. The boycott was a success and the prince was puzzled at the cold receptions that were arranged in his honour. Bombay witnessed the greatest resistance and anti prince slogans were raised. There was panic in the administration and Congress volunteers were arrested. By this time Satyagraha spread like fire in whole country.

Jawaharlal with his wife Kamla

Young Jawaharlal by this time had became quite active and popular. He was the convener and secretary of the U.P. Volunteer board. The U.P. Congress had announced its intention of preparing selected tehsils for civil disobedience. Every district congress committee had been directed to constitute a volunteer board immediately. So the volunteer organisation in U.P. was declared unlawful, and hence Jawaharlal and his father Motilal were arrested on 5th Dec. for their connection with this activity. Motilal was delighted to go to jail with his son and departed in a mood of exaltation. Jawaharlal too was happy to secure, as the accolade of patriotism, a sentence of 6 months simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100 or a further month in jail. In this way he went to jail for the first time. He continued to direct from jail the work of U.P. Congress and drew up plans to ensure that it did not cease to function despite official suppression.
Because of some technical defect in his sentence, Jawaharlal to his own surprise, was released on March 22 when he had only served half his term. Although Congress had boycotted law courts. That’s why Motilal had not taken any action against it.

Nehruji with a farmer

After releasing from jail, Jawaharlal again devoted fully towards freedom movement. His jail visit made him more popular among masses than ever before. Now, the British government had always an eye on them and they decided to restrict his free wandering by any how. They made such a plan by which Jawaharlal should be kept behind the bars by making him guilty in any case, on regular basis. But by this, Jawaharlal was least affected and he continued his battle with more enthusiasm and courage.

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