06

With his joining the Gujarat Sabha, a leading political organization in the Gujarat region, in 1915 AD, Vallabhbhai Patel had, in fact, entered public life.  He had also begun to realize the idea of the country’s independence. After this, two significant events in his life occurred in the years 1915 and 1916 AD, respectively. Before we delve into those events, it is important to briefly discuss the series of events from 1913 and 1915 AD that paved the way for his entry into public life. After becoming a barrister, Vithalbhai Patel settled in Mumbai and started practicing there. Simultaneously, he ventured into the public sphere. Vithalbhai had already won an election to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1912 AD as a representative of the Local self-governing bodies of the Northern Division, even before Vallabhbhai’s return from England. Now, he did not have enough time for practice as a lawyer. On Vallabhbhai’s return from London, both the brothers sat together and decided that the elder brother, Vithalbhai, would now live in public life, while the younger brother, Vallabhbhai, would earn money by practicing law. Along with bearing the household expenses, Vallabhbhai would also help Vithalbhai financially whenever required. Vallabhbhai had relocated to Ahmedabad and was earning a substantial income from his practice. He himself later mentioned this episode in a public meeting, “If we want independence and if we wish to serve the country, we must be prepared to be poor. 

We, therefore, decided that one of us should serve the country and the other, the family. My brother (Vithalbhai) gave up his flourishing practice and started on a career of public service, while I bore the burden of maintaining the household. I had, thus, to commit all the sins and he performed all the good deeds, but I reconciled myself by the thought that I could claim at least a share in his good works.” How long did this arrangement last? We all know.

Upon arriving in Ahmedabad, Vallabhbhai joined the Gujarat Club. Rao Bahadur Nagarji Desai established the Gujarat Club in 1888 AD, uniting the city’s elite and bridge enthusiasts. Vallabhbhai Patel frequented the location to engage in bridge and partake in hookah. In early 1915 AD, Gandhiji came back to India from South Africa and established his Ashram in Kochrab, Ahmedabad. He received visits from solicitors and individuals engaged in public works. They engaged in conversation with Gandhiji, reliving their dialogues with Gandhiji at the Gujarat Club, all in Vallabhbhai’s presence. Vallabhbhai regarded Gandhiji’s discourses on ‘celibacy’, ‘cleaning toilets’, ‘grinding the mill’, and ‘cleaning wheat’ as amusing. Vallabhbhai, who embodied the virtues of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, dismissed the belief that such activities may facilitate the nation’s independence. He disagreed with the operational approach of the nation’s prominent leaders during that period, despite his tremendous desire for new insights. Gandhiji frequently visited the Gujarat Club.  

He used to express his views there, but Vallabhbhai did not take any interest in his talks. He used to tell others, including G. V. Mavalankar, not to take any interest in Gandhiji. But, what happened later? We know. Two key points need to be highlighted here. His meeting with Gandhiji in the year 1915 AD at the Gujarat Club and the Gujarat Sabha, of which Gandhiji had been elected the vice president on November 15, 1915 AD, and his participation in the Lucknow Congress session as a representative of the Gujarat Sabha in the year 1916 AD remained noteworthy from his entry into public life.