Freedom fighter, 83, now fights for a living after Police Commissioner’s office destroys record of his arrest made by the British government on August 8, 1943
Manohar Dattatray alias Bal Pulee fought for the country’s freedom in 1943 as a schoolboy. But now, at the age of 83, he is a helpless old man, all thanks to the Police Commissioner’s office which, according to Pulee, destroyed all documents containing proof of his arrest by British rulers on August 8, 1943.
After running from pillar to post for a Freedom Fighter certificate, Pulee eventually filed the Right to Information (RTI) on September 20, 2006, through which he came to know about the callousness of the authorities.
With no source of income to see him through the remainder years of his life, he has filed an application on June 5 with Yerwada jail authorities, seeking a fresh arrest certificate.
Struggle for freedom
Pulee was lodged in Yerwada jail for 12 days starting from August 8, 1943. His arrest number in the prison records, which were destroyed, was 574. He said, “At that time, I was studying in NMV school and staying in Gadikhana area.
We were working with a group which prepared bombs in the quarries behind Parvati Hill. We also used to publish bulletins to spread word on the freedom movement.”
He added, “In 1942, the British government arrested many prominent leaders in connection with the freedom movement. We went underground.
The police used to frequently visit my school and ask about me. But a kind supervisor of my school, one Mr Pant, used to tell them I was not in school.
But on the eve of August 8, we launched a protest march near Sangam Bridge, and that’s when the police came to the spot and tried to arrest me. I managed to flee from the spot.
But the cops arrested me at my house on August 8. My arrest number was 574.” “Freedom fighter Rambhau Telang, who was accused of Capitol theatre bombing, was kept in the barrack next to mine. Police presented me in court, but the court released me as I was a minor at that time.”
Struggle for benefits
Pulee said, “Earlier, for a freedom fighter certificate to be issued, the applicant ought to have been an adult at the time of his arrest by the Britishers and must have served a minimum jail term of six months.
But a few years back, the Supreme Court ruled that the person who fought for the country’s freedom and was a minor at the time of his arrest by the British is eligible for obtaining benefits of a freedom fighter.”
After getting to know about this ruling, I started my efforts to obtain the certificate. Veteran leader Shirubhau Limaye asked me to apply for these benefits and also give his letter of recommendation.
Veteran social activists and freedom fighters, the late G P Pradhan, Haribhau Limaye and Mohan Dhariya also gave their recommendations. But I did not get the certificate as I was told that the authorities don’t have proof of my arrest.”
He added, “I applied for the Freedom Fighter certificate at the District Collector Office, Pune, On March 30, 2000. A copy of the same was submitted to Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Governor Of Maharashtra and Divisional Commissioner of Pune. On August 10, 2000, I applied for the certificate at the Police Commissioner’s office. But nothing happened.”
He said the Collector asked him for several documents which include certificate of his arrest from the Police Commissioner’s office. But he couldn’t get them.
Personal tragedies
Recently, his two sons died — one lost his life in an accident, while the other succumbed to a short illness. Today, Pulee is staying with his wife, daughter-in-law and grand daughter and has no source of income.
So he filed an RTI application, to which he got a reply from public information officer for Pune Police Vinod Satav. The reply stated that all documents prior to 1975, including Pulee’s arrest record, have been destroyed. “Being told that my record has been wiped out was a huge shock.”
Career
Bal Pulee worked as a press photographer from 1946 to 1985. He was also a defence photographer. He has fulfilled many national and international assignments. He is credited to be the only photographer who obtained a file photograph of Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
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