History of Congress Radio in Timeline

Congress Radio, or Azad Radio, was an underground radio station broadcasting for roughly three months during the Quit India Movement in 1942. It served as the broadcasting arm of the Indian National Congress, operating from secret locations in Bombay and Nashik. Organized by Usha Mehta, a student activist, along with amateur radio operators and support from Nanik Motwane, it played a crucial role in disseminating information and galvanizing support for the independence movement. Key figures like Ram Manohar Lohia and other prominent leaders were associated with the radio, making it a significant tool for the independence movement.

1920: Usha Mehta's Birth

In 1920, Usha Mehta, who later organized Congress Radio, was born. She became a student activist and played a key role in the Quit India Movement.

1923: All India Radio Established

In 1923, All India Radio was established in the country, broadcasting the British Indian government's messages. It offered no platform for dissenting voices from the Indian independence movement.

1940: Radio Azad Hind

In 1940, 'Bob' Tanna established an amateur broadcasting setup called Radio Azad Hindi (Radio Free India), briefly transmitting messages of the Indian independence movement before his arrest and equipment seizure.

August 1942: Quit India Movement Proclamation

Between 5 and 8 August 1942, the Indian National Congress issued the proclamation of the Quit India Movement in Bombay, demanding British withdrawal from India. Following Gandhi's call for "Do or Die" and his subsequent arrest, Usha Mehta and Vithalbhai Jhaveri decided to establish Congress Radio.

August 1942: Congress Radio's First Broadcast

On 27 August 1942, Congress Radio commenced its broadcasts from Bombay, with Usha Mehta announcing, "This is the Congress Radio calling on (a wavelength of) 42.34 metres from somewhere in India."

October 1942: CID Monitors Broadcasts

Starting 8 October 1942, the special branch of the CID began monitoring Congress Radio's broadcasts, bringing in stenographers to transcribe them. Authorities were unable to trace the broadcasts to a source until later.

November 1942: Congress Radio Shut Down

In November 1942, specifically from 27 August through 12 November 1942, Congress Radio was shut down by the authorities, leading to the arrest of its operators.

November 1942: Final Broadcast and Shutdown

On 12 November 1942, Congress Radio made its final broadcast from a bungalow near Mahalakshmi temple in Bombay. The station was playing "Vande Mataram" when it was shut down by authorities.

1942: Quit India Movement

In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement against the British Raj, advocating for India's independence. Congress Radio emerged as the broadcasting mouthpiece of the Indian National Congress during this movement.

May 1943: Mehta Sentenced to Imprisonment

On 13 May 1943, Usha Mehta was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment at the Yerawada prison in Pune following a secret trial in a special court for the Radio Conspiracy case.