Reshmi Roomal Tehrik – Commemorative Stamp Released

New Delhi: A commemorative postal stamp on silk letter movement or what is known in Urdu as Reshmi Roomal Tehrik (1915, 1916) launched by Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmood Hasan Deobandi””a pioneer of the freedom struggle and a prisoner of Malta and trainer of freedom fighters was released here by President Pranab Kumar Mukherjee on January 11. The President said, “The sacrifices of individuals and groups, such as those associated with the Silk Letter Movement, constitute a glorious chapter of India’s history of freedom struggle and need to be acknowledged, and appreciated”. The Rs. 5 stamp depicts a yellow scroll over blue background with Reshmi Roomal Tehrik inscribed in Urdu, English and Hindi.
This movement was launched to mobilize the support of the governments of Afghanistan and Turkey in organizing a revolt within India to overthrow the British rule. Obaidullah Sindhi and Maulana Mahmood Hasan were two important leaders of this movement. In August 1916, some letters written on silk fell into British hands. It is believed that the Silk Letters confiscated by the British Government contained details of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind and its plans and a comprehensive scheme of forming an army and getting the support of the Turkish Government,” said the President addressing the 60th Session of Shaikhul Hind’s Silk Letter Movement Centenary.”