Among the women of the world, the Sanatan Hindu woman(Arya) holds a unique place. The Arya woman stands out among global women. From the perspective of history so far, the Arya woman is unique and unparalleled in beautiful housekeeping and service to her husband. When our caste was trapped in the difficult terror of Satpanth, very few men of the society were campaigning against it to get out of it, and were awakening the society. In this work, the contribution of the women of the society was also unique. The inspiring work done by them to save the society from the stigma of Mumna is presented here in words for the future generation.

Dhanlaxmiben Rajaram Dholu:

A noble lady whose pure life showed her dedication towards society and religion and set an example for our society and became an inspiration for other women of the society, such was Dhanlaxmiben.

When our society became aware against the sinful acts and deceitful games of Satpanth, there was also fundamental cooperation from the women of our society. Even in the auspicious beginning of the first Kutch Kadva Patidar Parishad (Conference), everyone had the unique support and cooperation of Dhanlaxmiben. Why should we Kshatriya heroes sit silently and tolerate the oppression of deceivers? In this fierce movement, the youth group of Patidar brothers living in Mumbai and Ghatkopar, “Swadharmavardhak ane Gnatihit Chintak Mandal” established since Samvat 1964, was taking a leading part and it had well awakened the caste brothers living in Karachi as well as abroad. The heroes of Karachi sent a heartfelt invitation to hold the conference in their courtyard and demanded the Mandal of Mumbai to elect a suitable president.

At that time, Rajarambhai of Mumbai, who was prominent in business and employment as well as in the caste, was unanimously selected. A deputation of decided members of the Mandal came to meet Rajarambhai and politely stated their wish, then he clearly refused to take the lead in such a risky task. Due to this, all the brothers were very disappointed and displeased. Finally, with the last hope, they met his wife Dhanlaxmiben at Rajarambhai’s house. Explaining the situation to her, they said that due to the lack of a suitable president, such a good work is stuck.

Hearing this talk, Dhanlaxmiben said that if a brother works for brothers and even if five paise are spent in this, it must be done . You also tell my husband and I will also explain to him. Then the brothers clarified that we tried our best to explain but there might be opposition with people of the caste and if the caste outcasts us, it won’t look good. But we have full faith in you. Dhanlaxmiben assured and stated that if you are working hard for the caste by suffering so much pain, then we should also help in it, you are also ours, whatever condition you will be in, we will be in the same. I will recommend to your father (husband). You proceed with your work.

When Shrimati Dhanlaxmiben talked about the conference to Shri Rajarambhai to keep her given promise. Then Rajarambhai said that brothers had also come to me and insisted on taking the position of president but I refused because, there will be opposition from the whole caste, there will be discord in the family and we will become alone.

Rajarambhai explained to Dhanlaxmiben that this work is very difficult, Pirana Panth has reached very deep in our caste. Your relatives are also in this same Panth so you will have to abandon all of them. Dhanlaxmiben of firm thoughts, to keep her given promise, did not bow down to the argument and argued back that you talk big about religion and talk about abandoning Pirana Panth. Courage should be shown in public too, otherwise we are cheating the world, ourselves and God too. After knowing that “Pirana Panth” is a sin, one should work with a strong heart while working against it with public courage. Under your presidency, all work will be related to the caste only. Rajarambhai was not ready to accept the presidency. It is not possible to dare to remain in the post of president by publicly opposing the whole caste. Dhanlaxmiben said in clear words that we keeping feet in both milk and curd and playing drums on both sides is cheating. You pretend to be a reformer and a true religious soul and internally are not willing to reduce even slightly the relationship with Pirana Panthis. I will inform everyone about this otherwise, join our reformer brothers. In front of such accurate arguments, persuasion and firm insistence of a virtuous sister, even a practical and firm-minded man like Rajarambhai had to bow down. Due to the efforts of the generous-hearted religious sister, the conference was successful in Karachi. In a society where men dominated, such adventurous and courageous, generous and polite everyone. Due to Dhanlaxmiben, such a historical meeting took place.

Heroines of Dayapar:

There was a small village “Dayapar” in which the sisters (women) of the village showed more devotion and firmness towards religion than the menfolk. Before the influence of the courage and heart power of the sisters, even the pride of brave men for patience and tolerance would melt away. The sisters had firm courage, they were ready to meet their Satpanth following parents, family members and relatives for the last time and cut off relations with them and were ready not to keep any other kind of relation. The sisters were very eager for their purification. Passing even a single day was not acceptable to them. On the day of Jeth Sud Pacham, they atoned and became pure and gave up Pirana Satpanth. Such generous, loving and pure yet firm exclamations were also of such innocent uneducated Kshatriya sisters. With the inspiration of their inner mind, for the holy Vedic religion, those large-hearted sisters abandoned their parents, own siblings, own daughters even abandoned their mothers forever. With the faith and pure thoughts of such women, on the auspicious day of the first Jeth Sud Pacham of Vikram Samvat 1979 of Dayapar village, 163 brothers and sisters accepted the supreme holy Sanatani Vedic religion at the same auspicious time by performing Yajna-Homa-Devpujan and body purification atonement by Vedic rituals.

Kankubai – Paneli:

A separate detailed article on Kankubai is given in this book itself, so it is not repeated here.

Conventions of the Caste

When the first convention was held in the year 1960, thousands of women and children were present. The convention was started with an auspicious song by Sau. Laxmiben Bhadani, the first matriculate passer in our caste. In the convention, Laxmiben got a chance to express her thoughts. She stated that education is not only for boys but, the question of girl child education is also equally important. Man and woman are like wheels of a chariot, both have to move together.

In 1977, the second convention of our caste was held at Nakhatrana. Sisters (women) were present in large numbers. A separate time was allocated for sisters to express their thoughts in which women presented their ideas. After that, Mahila Mandals (Women’s Associations) became active due to women awareness all over India.

In the third convention of the caste in the year 1985, various resolutions like giving gharcholu from in-laws side during marriage and maternal uncle giving only panetar in mosalu, veil system (Ghunghat), superstition, girl child education, evil customs prevailing in society, equality in daughter and son etc. were passed unanimously as a symbol of this social change.

In the year 1993, the fourth open convention of the society was held. Women made everyone feel the women power in the convention. Along with social resolutions, various questions related to sisters were also discussed, simultaneously discussion for the establishment of Mahila Sangh was also done and on date 21/5/97 the Central Mahila Mandal was formally established and its helm was handed over to Laxmiben Bhadani and the post of General Secretary to Ratanben Bhagat.

Thus, women of our society have supported their men in every work. In the campaign against heretics also, women became heroines and supported men. Women were uneducated but as time passed they understood the importance of studying. Started educating daughters along with household work. Today daughters of our society are getting educated and moving forward and are taking the name of our caste forward in every field.