In the early 1939 Prajamandal movement took a violent turn in the state of ranpur, bordering on Khurda and Nayagarh. The situation began when the Raja of Ranpur on 2nd January, 1939 derecognised the Prajamandal and arrested some of their leaders.
On 5th January a large crowd gathered in front of royal palace and demanded immidiate release of their leaders. Unable to control the situation the chief of ranpur invited the British Political Agent Bazalgatte.
To save the situation Bazalgatte came to Ranapur. Suddenly furious mob overpowered Bazalgatte and stoned him to death. It is reported that the entire incident took place by the instigation of raghunath Mohanty and Dibakar Parida. After the murer the British Government started the reign of terror to supress the people’s movement.
Trials of twenty-six people were concluded. The High Court sentenced three men to capital punishment including Raghunath Mohanty and Dibakar Parida. Some others were deported.
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The High Court, however, opined that Bazalgatte himself was partly responsible for his own murder. The briutal murder of Bazallgatte was condemned by congree as a departure from the cherished ideal of non-violence.Gandhiji expressed his shock at the unfortunate incident by asked for a thorough enquiry about the matter.
Nationalists and socialists regarded the incident as the natural reaction of the people and warning to all oppressive feudal chiefs. The British Government regarded the murder as the reflection of the nationalist propaganda.
The Ranpur incident, however, provided a new direction to Prajamandal Movement. It aroused the congress leaders of the province for greater responsibility and concern.