The Devi Movement was a social reformative movement started by Koli caste in Gujarat and Maharashtra states of India in 1920 to gave up the alcoholic drinks and meat. Most of the tribal communities were influenced by this movement and stopped working for Parsis because Parsis mostly ate meat and consumed the alcoholic drinks. The Devi movement among the tribes of the adjoining areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra had combined the elements of Bhakti religion and protest against exploitation of moneylenders and liquor dealers.
In starting, Devi Movement spread over Thana, Nashik, Bharuch and Baroda districts of Maharashtra and Gujarat states. it was most remarkable and beneficial movement for Adivasis because their condition was improved a little bit by this movement.
In 1921, the Koli peasents of Gujarat were more active in movement to reform the society during the Non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi. As a result, the excise revenue of Surat district fell by Rs 350,000. In Jalalpor taluka large numbers of Koli peasants chopped down their toddy trees, and there was intense picketing of liquor and toddy shops, Those who continued to drink suffered severe social boycott, The movement was carried on in Navsari district by the Baroda State Praja Mandal, under the direct guidance of Vallabhbhai Patel. The campaign continued during the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 - 31.
Fall of Devi Movement
- In Jalalpor taluka a Devi medium was prosecuted for forcing a Parsi toddy-shop owner to pay a fine of Rs 120 to a local nationalist school. He was judged guilty of extortion and sentenced to fifteen days imprisonment and a fine of Rs 300. In Jalalpor taluka the Devi move ment was weak and early February 1923 the local police chief reported that the movement had died down as a result of the prosecution.
- The Devi Movement was crushed eventually by punishing the movement's leader by British government.
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