The reckless attitude of the feudatory chiefs of Orissa had evoked much reaction from the people at different times during the first two decades of twentient century. The spread of education among the people of princely states and impact of Gandhian Nationalist Movement aroused consciousness and inspired the people of Garjat to revolt. Bamara peasant uprising, revolt in Dhenkanal and Talcher in 1922, the uprising of Nilgiri in 1928, the uprising in Baud in 1930 and resistance movement of the people of Talcher in 1932, though supressed in iron hand by the feudatory chiefs, prepared the stage for further mighty revolt.
In a similar fashion though the Gandhian nationalist struggle of 1920-21 and 1930-32 had no major influence in the Garjat states, it brought into focus the problems and plight of people of Garjat states.
The first Orissa States People’s Conference was held at Cuttack under the guidance of Balunkeswara Acharya, Radhanath Rath, Madhusudan Pattnaik and Govinda Chandra Mishra. The conference was presided by Bhubananda Das, an Oriya member of the Central legislature. This organisation remained dormant for seven years and fresh vigour was injected into it in 1936-37 by Sarangadhar Das and some others.
The second session of Orissa State People’s Conference was held at Cuttack on 23rd June, 1937under the Presidency of Congress leader B. Pattavi Sitaramaya. The conference championed the cause of the toiling masses of Garjat states by exposing the nature of administration. It appealed to the feudatory chiefs to initiate the process of responsible Government and to put an end to all exploitation.
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The conference also constituted Orissa states Enquiry Committee with Sarngadhar Das as Secretary with a view to enquiring into various kinds of illegalities and repressions, prevalent in the Princely States of Orissa. The committee was reconstituted with the chairmanship of H.K. Mahatab on 6th June, 1938. Even on the teeth of opposition of feudatory chiefs, the committee brought out its report in 1939. The report made sensational revelation of miserable condition of people of Garjat states and sheer offence of native chiefs.
In addition to the pioneering role of the Orissa State People’s Conference of June, 1937 the total involvement of congree party provided necessary force to Prajamandal Movement. In 1938 congress defined its goal of independence which also included the independence of Princely States.
In 1939 session of Indian National Congress held at Tripuri, it decided to take a more active part in the states people’ this movement. Jawaharlal Nehru became the president of All India States People’s conference in 1939.
With the encouragement of Congress party and favourable climate created due to installation of popualr congress ministry in the province, Prajamandals were formed in a number of feudatory states. In the face of confrontationist attitude of the native ruling chiefs the leaders of Prajamandals presented their charter of demands to them.
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They demanded the abolition of numerous feudal exactions such as forced labour, forced contributions, free supply of ration to officers in tour. They also petitioned for certain civil liberties like right to form association, right to organize meetings and the right to publish news papers etc. They also claimed just laws for their agricultural holdings, certain privileges to utilise the forest products, abolition of monopoly trade practice etc.
Thus the outcome of State People’s Conference of 1937 led to the formation of Prajamandals in the states and tried focus to the attention of all concerned in mitigating their grievances. The formation of the popular congress ministry aroused new hopes in the minds of the people.
The observance of “All Orissa Garjat Day” on 29th October, 1983 provided a new dimension to the people’s struggle in Garjat States. Due to some legal restrictions the Congress workers could not help the movement in the States but extended moral support to them.
The mental as well as secret movement of the Congress party in the province helped the Prajamandal movement to a greater extact.