Sharma : Then your wife was kept in jail for some time?
Chavan : For about Six weeks in a lockup, interrogating her in a rude way. They were trying to find out whether she knew my whereabouts and my contacts. Then I do not know why they released her some time in the end of February.
Sharma : You mean to say, They tried to exploi family relationships?
Chavan : Very much so. One of my nephews in the meanwhile was also arrested and was treated very badly while he was in police custody. He was a schoolboy. He had participated in the sabotage movement and had joined in an attack on a railway station, where the police arms were taken away by the freedom fighters.
Sharma : Now, leaders like Nana Patil and Pand Master…
Chavan : I had met Pandu Master and Nane Patil once, that too at an early stage; but later on a had no contacts with him. Kisan veer was a great friend of mine. had started participating in the movement together, but he was arrested. But within two or three months, he escaped from the jail. Then he remained out to lead the Patri Sarkar movement, which of course is associated with Nana Patil and Kisan veer more. Veer was a very important leader of the movement. When I was outside, it was my duty to see that he was well received and acquainted him with the latest developments.
It became rather difficult some times to live in the district because the police pressure was mounting. I went to Bombay, Poona and got in touch with leaders. The only leader who kept in touch with us was Anna sahib Sahasrabudhe. He used to tour the districts and meet us and talk to us. I met him in Bombay. I met S.M. Joshi and Nana Sahib Goray once. Though I wanted to meet Achyut Patwardhen I failed. The only national leader I met in Bombay was Dr Lohia, because it was easy to meet him. he was a very nice, friendly and fearless person. He was not very much worried about his safety.
