Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi was a man considered one of the great sages and
prophets. He was held as another Buddha, another Jesus, Indians called
him the ‘Father of the Nation’. They showered their love, respect and
devotion on him in an unprecedented measure. They thronged his way to
have a glimpse of him, to hear one world from his lips. They applied on
their foreheads the dust on the path he had trodden. For them, he was
almost an incarnation of God, who had come to break the chains of their
slavery. The whole world bowed to him in reverence. Even his opponents
held him in great respect.
Mohandas
Gandhi was, however, not a great scholar, nor was he a great warrior.
He was not born with exceptional faculties. Neither was he a good
orator, nor a great writer. He did not claim anything exclusively divine
in him. He did not claim being a prophet or having superhuman powers.
He considered himself an average man with average abilities. Born in a
middle class Bania family in an obscure princely State in a corner of
India, he was a mediocre student, shy and nervous. He could not muster
courage to speak in public. His first attempt at legal practice
miserably failed.
But
he was a humble seeker of Truth. He was a man with exceptional
sincerity, honesty and truthfulness. For him, understanding meant
action. Once any principle appealed to him, he immediately began to
translate that in practice. He did not flinch from taking risks and did
not mind confessing mistakes. No opposition, scorn or ridicule could
affect him. Truth was his sole guiding star. He was ever-growing; hence
he was often found inconsistent. He was not concerned with appearing to
be consistent. He preferred to be consistent only with the light within.
He
sacrificed his all and identified himself with the poorest of the poor.
He dressed like them, lived like them. In the oppressed and the
depressed people, he saw God. For him, they too were sparks of the
divine light. They might not have anything else, but they too had a
soul. For Gandhi, soul-force was the source of the greatest power. He
strove to awaken the soul-force within himself and within his fellowmen.
He was convinced that the potentialities of the soul-force have no
limit. He himself was a living example of this conviction. That is why
this tiny and fragile man could mobilise the masses and defeat the
mighty British empire. His eleven vows, his technique of Satyagraha, his
constructive programme - all were meant to awaken and strengthen the
soul-force. He awakened and aroused a nation from semi-consciousness. It
was a Herculean task. For, India was not a united country, it was a
sub-continent. It was a society divided in different classes, castes and
races, in people with different languages, religions and cultures.
It
was a society where almost half of the population i.e., women, was
behind purdah or confined to the four walls of houses, where one-fourth
of the population - the depressed classes - was living marginalised
life, where many did not have a single full meal every day. Gandhi made
the oppressed sections wake up and break their chains. He mobilised the
people and united them to work for the cause of Swaraj, which gave them a
sense of belonging, a sense of purpose. Gandhi wanted to win Swaraj for
the masses. For him, Swaraj did not mean replacement of White masters
by brown masters. Swaraj meant self-rule by all. He said: ”Real Swaraj
will come, not by the acquisition of the authority by a few, but by the
acquisition of the capacity by all to resist authority when it is
abused.” He worked to develop such a capacity. Development of such a
capacity involved transformation of the individual.
Transformation
of the individual and transformation of the society - they were not
separate, unrelated things for Gandhi. Revolutionary social philosophies
had concentrated on changing the society. On the other hand, spiritual
seekers had concentrated on the inner change. Gandhi not only bridged
the gap between these extremes, he fused them together. Gandhi was thus
both a saint and a social revolutionary. For Gandhi, unity of life was
great truth. His principle of non-violence stemmed from this conviction.
Non-violence was not a matter of policy for him; it was a matter of
faith. He applied the doctrine to all the departments of individual and
social life and in so doing revolutionized the doctrine, made it dynamic
and creative. He believed that a true civilization could be built on
the basis of such non-violence only.
He
rejected the modern civilization. For him, it was a disease and a
curse. This civilization leads to violence, conflicts, corruption,
injustices, exploitation, oppression, mistrust and a process of
dehumanisation. It has led the world to a deep crisis. The earth’s
resources are being cornered by a handful of people without any concern
for others and for the coming generations. The conventional energy
sources are getting depleted. Forests are being destroyed. Air, water,
soil-everything has been polluted.
We
are living under the shadow of nuclear war and environmental disasters.
Thinking men the world over are looking to Gandhi to find a way out of
this crisis and to build an alternative model of sustainable
development. Gandhi knew that the earth has enough to satisfy
everybody’s need but not anybody’s greed. He had called for the
replacement of greed with love. Gandhi is, therefore, now a source of
inspiration and a reference book for all those fighting against racial
discrimination, oppression, domination, wars, nuclear energy,
environmental degradation, lack of freedom and human rights- for all
those who are fighting for a better world, a better quality of life.
Gandhi is, therefore, no longer an individual. He is a symbol of all
that is the best and the most enduring in the human tradition. And he is
also a symbol of the alternative in all areas of life-agriculture,
industry, technology, education, health, economy, political
organisations, etc. He is a man of the future - a future that has to be
shaped if the human race has to survive and progress on the path of
evolution.
Birth and Parentage
Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi was born at Porbandar, a coastal city in Kathiawad
(now a part of the Gujarat State) on the 2nd October 1869. He was the
youngest child of his parents, Karamchand and Putlibai.
Gandhis
belonged to the Modh Bania community. They were originally grocers.
However, Uttamchand, Mohan’s grandfather, rose to become Dewan of the
Porbandar State. Mohan’s father. Karamchand, also served as the Dewan of
Porbandar, Rajkot and Vankaner States. Kathiawar then had about 300
small States. Court intrigues were the order of the day. At times,
Gandhis became their victim. Uttamchand’s house was once surrounded and
shelled by the State troops. Karamchand was once arrested. However,
their courage and wisdom earned them respect. Karamchand even became a
member of the Rajashanik Court, a powerful agency to solve disputes
among the States.
Karamchand
had little education, but had shrewdness of judgment and practical
knowledge acquired through experience. He had little inclination to
amass wealth and left little for his children. He used to say that “My
children are my wealth’. He married four times, had two daughters by the
first two marriages and one daughter and three sons by his fourth
marriage. Putlibai, his fourth wife, was younger to him by 25 years. She
was not much educated but was well-informed about practical matters.
Ladies at the palace used to value her advice. She was deeply religious
and superstitious and had strong will-power. She used to visit the
temple daily and regularly kept difficult vows. Mohan loved his mother.
He used to accompany her to the Haveli (Vaishnav temple).
Mohan
had a great devotion for his father and he often used to be present at
the discussions about the State problems. Gandhis had Parsi and Muslim
friends and Jain monks used to make regular visit. Mohan thus had
occasion to hear discussions about religious matters also. Being the
youngest, he was the darling of the household.
Childhood
Mohan
attended Primary School at Porbandar. When he was seven, his family
moved to Rajkot. He was a mediocre student, was shy and avoided any
company. He read little besides the text books and had no love for
outdoor games. He had no love for outdoor games. However, he was
truthful, honest, sensitive and was alert about his character. Plays
about Shravan and Harishchandra made a deep impression on him. They
taught him to be truthful at any cost and to serve his parents with
devotion.
He
was married along with his brother and cousin for the sake of economy
and convenience. He was only 13 then. He enjoyed the festivities of the
marriage. Kasturbai, his wife, was of the same age. She was illiterate
but strong-willed. His jealousy and immature efforts to make her an
ideal wife led to many quarrels. He wanted to teach her but found no
time. His experience later made him a strong critic of child-marriages.
Mohan
joined High School at Rajkot. He was liked by the teachers and often
received prizes. But he neglected physical training and hand-writing.
Habit of taking long walks made up for the first neglect, but he had to
repent later for the neglect of handwriting. He was devoted to his
father and considered it his duty to nurse him during his illness. In
the High-School, he made friends with one Sheikh Mehtab, a bad
character. He stuck to the friendship despite warnings from
family-members. He wanted to reform Mehtab but failed. Mehtab induced
him to meat-eating, saying that it made one strong and that the British
were ruling India because they were meat-eaters. Mohan was frail and
used to be afraid even to go out alone in the dark. The argument
appealed to him. Later, he realized that lying to his parents was worse
than not eating meat, and abandoned the experiment.
Mehtab
once sent him to a brothel, but God’s grace saved him. He induced Mohan
to smoking. This once led to stealing. But all this became unbearable
for Mohan. He confessed his guilt to his father, who did not rebuke him
but wept silently. Those tears cleaned Mohan’s heart and taught him a
lesson in nonviolence.
Mohan’s
father died when Mohan was 16. He had nursed him daily. But at the time
of his death, Mohan was with his wife. He always felt ashamed for this
lapse. Mohan passed the matriculation examination in 1887. He attended
the College at Bhavnagar, but left after the first term. At that time,
the idea of his going to England for studying law came up. Mohan was
fascinated. He made up his mind and overcame resistance from the
family-members. He took the vow not to touch wine, women and meat at the
instance of his mother to remove her fears. He then sailed from Bombay
in September 1888, leaving behind his wife and a son. The caste elders
were against his going to England. They excommunicated him from the
caste.
Gandhi in England
Gandhi
reached England by the end of September 1888. Everything was strange to
him. He was shy and diffident, could not speak English fluently and was
ignorant of British manners. Naturally, loneliness and homesickness
gripped him. Gandhi became a vegetarian for life. It was difficult to
get vegetarian food. Friends persuaded him to break the vow of
vegetarianism but he stuck to it. He began searching vegetarian
restaurants and found one ultimately. He purchased Salt’s book ‘Plea for
Vegetarianism’, read it and became vegetarian out of conviction. He
studied other literature and joined the Vegetarian Society.
He
came in contact with the leaders of that radical cult, became a member
of the Society’s Executive Committee and contributed articles to the
Society’s paper. He even started a Vegetarian club in his locality and
became its Secretary. This experience gave him some training in
organising and conducting Institutions. Experiments about diet became a
life-long passion for him.
Gandhi tries to play the ‘English Gentleman’
For
a brief period, Gandhi tried to become ‘The English Gentleman’ to
overcome lack of confidence and to make up for the ‘fad’ of
vegetarianism. He wanted to become fit for the British elite society. He
got clothes stitched from an expensive and fashionable firm, purchased
an expensive hat and an evening suit and learnt to wear the tie. He
became very careful about his appearance. He even joined a dancing
class, but could not go on for more than three weeks. He
purchased a violin and started learning to play it. He engaged a tutor
to give lessons in elocution. But all this was for a brief period of
three months only. His conscience awakened him. He realised that he was
not going to spend his whole life in England; he should rather
concentrate on his studies and not waste his brother’s money. He then
became very careful about his expenses.
Study of religions
Gandhi
also started the study of religions. Before that, he had not even read
the Gita. Now he read it in the English translation. He also read Edwin
Arnold’s ‘The Light of Asia,’ Blavatsky’s ‘Key to Theosophy’ and the
Bible. Gita and The New Testament made a deep impression on him. The
principles of renunciation and non-violence appealed to him greatly. He
continued the study of religions throughout his life.
Gandhi becomes a Barrister
Bar
examinations were easy. He therefore studied for and passed the London
matriculation examination. Becoming a Barrister meant attending at least
six dinners in each of the twelve terms and giving an easy examination.
Gandhi, however, studied sincerely, read all the prescribed books,
passed his examination and was called to the bar in June 1891. He then
sailed for home.
A Period of turmoil
Gandhi’s
three year’s stay in England was a period of deep turmoil for him.
Before that, he knew little of the world. Now he was exposed to the
fast-changing world and to several radical movements like Socialism,
Anarchism, Atheism etc. through the Vegetarian Society. He started
taking part in public work. Many of his ideas germinated during this
period.
Gandhi in South Africa
Gandhi
returned to India as a Barrister, but he knew nothing about the Indian
law. Lawyers used to pay commissions to touts to get cases. Gandhi did
not like this. Besides, he was shy and an occasion to argue in the Court
unnerved him. He became a disappointed and dejected ‘Bridles
Barrister’. At that time, a South African firm Dada Abdulla and Co.
asked for his assistance in a case. Gandhi eagerly agreed and sailed for
South Africa in April 1893.
Problems of Indians in South Africa
The
small Indian community in South Africa was facing many problems at that
time. It consisted mainly of indentured labourers and traders. The
indentured labourers were taken there by the European landlords as there
was acute labour shortage in South Africa. The condition of these
labourers was like slaves. During 1860-1890 around 40,000 labourers were
sent from India. Many of them settled there after their agreement
periods were completed and started farming or business.
The
Europeans did not like it. They did not want free Indians in South
Africa. They also found it difficult to face competition from Indian
traders. Therefore the White Rulers imposed many restrictions and heavy
taxes on the Indians. They were not given citizenship rights, like right
to vote. They were treated like dirt and constantly humiliated. All
Indians were called ‘coolies’. The newspapers carried out the propaganda
that the Indians were dirty and uncivilized. The Indians could not
travel in the railways and could not enter hotels meant for Europeans.
They were hated and radically discriminated in all matters by the
dominant White community.
Gandhi fights racial discrimination
Right
since his arrival, Gandhi began to feel the pinch of racial
discrimination in South Africa. Indian community was ignorant and
divided and therefore unable to fight it. In connection with his case,
Gandhi had to travel to Pretoria. He was travelling in the first class,
but a White passenger and railway officials asked him to leave the first
class compartment. Gandhi refused, whereupon he was thrown out along
with his luggage. On the platform of Maritzburg station. It was a
severely cold night. Gandhi spent the night shivering and thinking
furiously. He ultimately made up his mind to stay in South Africa, fight
the racial discrimination and suffer hardships. It was a historic
decision. It transformed Gandhi.
He
had also to travel some distance by a stage-coach. During this travel
also, he was insulted and beaten. On reaching Pretoria, Gandhi called a
meeting of the local Indians. There he learnt a lot about the condition
of Indians. It was there that he made his first Public Speech and
suggested formation of an association. He offered his services for the
cause. Gandhi later settled the case, for which he had come, through
arbitration. He then decided to return home. But at the farewell party,
he came to know about a bill to restrict Indian franchise. Gandhi
thought that it had grave implications. The people then pressed him to
stay for some time. He agreed.
Gandhi’s
first major fight had started. He addressed meetings petitioned to the
legislative assembly, conducted a signature campaign. He also started
regular legal practice there and soon became a successful and leading
Lawyer. For sustained agitations, a permanent organisation was needed
and the Natal Indian Congress was born. Illiterate indentured labourers
also joined the struggle. A proposed tax on them was fought and got
abolished after a fierce battle.
In1886,
Gandhi visited India for a brief period. In India, he met renowned
leaders and gave wide publicity to the South African struggle. Rumours
reached South Africa that Gandhi had maligned the Whites there and that
he was coming with a large number of Indians to swamp the Natal colony.
It was wrong. But it made the Whites furious. Gandhi had to face the
fury, when he returned with his wife and children, he had to enter the
port town secretly, but he was found out and assaulted. The Whites
wanted to hang him but he was saved by the Police Superintendent and his
wife. He forgave his assailants.
The Boer War
Gandhi,
however, remained a loyal citizen of the British Empire. In that
spirit, he decided to help the British during the Boer War. The Boer
were the Dutch colonizers who ruled some of the South African colonies.
They were simple and sturdy people with strong racial prejudices. The
British wanted to rule whole of the South Africa. The British-Boer broke
out in 1899. Gandhi’s sympathies were with the Boers. But being a
British citizen, he considered it his duty to help the British. He also
wanted to show that Indians were not cowards and were ready to make
sacrifices for the empire while fighting for their rights.
Gandhi
raised an ambulance corps of 1100 persons. The work consisted of
carrying the wounded on stretchers. At times, it required walking more
than 20 miles. The corps had sometimes to cross the firing line. The
Indians worked hard, their work was praised and the leaders of the corps
were awarded medals. Indian community learnt a lot from this
experience. Its stature increased. British won the war, although the
Boers fought with determination, which made a deep impression on Gandhi.
The Fight continues
In
1901, Gandhi returned to India. He travelled widely and worked closely
with Gopal Krishna Gokhale, whom he considered his guru. He was about to
settle down in Bombay, when he received an urgent telegram from South
Africa to rush there. Gandhi again went to South Africa. He found that
the condition of Indians had worsened. Gandhi had to devote himself to
public work. In 1904, Gandhi started the journal ‘Indian Opinion.’
The Phoenix Settlement
In
1904, Gandhi happened to read Ruskin’s book ‘Unto This Last.’ He was
deeply impressed by Ruskin’s ideas and decided to put them in practice
immediately. They were: (I) That the good of the individual is contained
in the good of all. (ii) that all work has the same value and (iii)
that the life of labour is the life worth-living.
Gandhi
purchased some land near Phoenix station and established the Phoenix
settlement in mid-1904. The settlers had to erect structures to
accommodate themselves and the printing press. ‘Indian Opinion’ was
transferred to Phoenix. The settlers had to go through many trials to
print the issue in time. Everyone had to join in the work. The settlers
were divided in two classes. The ‘Schemers’ made their living by manual
labour. A few were paid labourers. To make a living by manual labour,
land was divided in pieces of three acres each. Stress was on manual
labour. Even the printing press was often worked with hand-power.
Sanitary arrangements were primitive and everyone had to be his own
scavenger. The colony was to be self-supporting and the material needs
were to be kept to the minimum. A spirit of self-reliance pervaded the
colony. Gandhi, however, could stay there only for brief periods. He had
to be in Johannesburg in connection with his work.
The Zulu Rebellion
The
Zulu ‘rebellion’ broke out in April 1906. It was not in fact a
rebellion, but a man-hunt. The British wanted to crush the
freedom-loving Zulu tribals. The operation to massacre them was,
therefore, started under a flimsy pretext. Out of a sense of loyalty to
the British empire, Gandhi offered the services of the Indian community,
though his heart was with the Zulus. An ambulance corps of 24 persons
was formed. Its duty was to carry the wounded Zulus and nurse them. The
Zulus were flogged and tortured and left with festering wounds. Whites
were not ready to nurse them. Gandhi was happy to nurse them. He had to
work hard and walk miles through hills. It was a thought-provoking
experience. He saw the cruelty of the British and the horrors of the
war. While marching through Zululand, Gandhi thought deeply. Two ideas
became fixed in his mind-Brahmacharya and the adoption of voluntary
poverty.
Birth of Satyagraha
The
White rulers were bent on keeping South Africa under their domination.
They wanted as few Indians there as possible and that too as
slave-labourers. In Transvaal, Indians were required to register
themselves. The procedure was humiliating. The registration was proposed
to be made stricter in 1906. Gandhi realised that it was a matter of
life or death for the Indians. A mammoth meeting was held in September
1906 to oppose the bill. People took oath in the name of God not to
submit to the bill at any cost. A new principle had come into being -
the principle of Satyagraha. The bill about registration was however
passed. Picketing against registration was organised. A wave of courage
and enthusiasm swept the Indian community. The Indian community rose as
one man for the sake of its survival and dignity.
The
agitation was first called ‘passive Resistance’. Gandhi, however, did
not like that term. It did not convey the true nature of the struggle.
It implied that it was the weapon of the weak and the disarmed. It did
not denote complete faith in nonviolence. Moreover, Gandhi did not like
that the Indian struggle should be known by an English name. The term
‘Sadagrah’ was suggested. Gandhi changed it to ‘Satyagrah’ to make it
represent fully, the whole idea. Satyagraha means asserting truth
through non-violence. It aims at converting the opponents through
self-suffering.
Gandhi
was ordered to leave the colony. He disobeyed and was jailed for two
months. Indians filled the jails. Repression failed to yield the
results. General Smuts called Gandhi and promised that the law would be
withdrawn if the Indians agreed to voluntary registration.
An attempt of Gandhi’s life
Gandhi
agreed. He and his co-workers were set free. Gandhi exhorted Indians to
register voluntarily. He was criticized for this by some workers. A
Pathan named Mir Alam was unconvinced by Gandhi’s arguments and vowed to
kill the first man who would register himself. Gandhi came forward to
be the first man to register himself. When he was going to the
registration office, Mir Alam and his friends assaulted him with lathis.
Gandhi
fainted with the words ‘He Ram’ on his lips. It was 10th February 1908.
His colleagues tried to save him otherwise it would have been the last
day for him. Mir Alam and his friends were caught and handed over to the
police. When Gandhi regained consciousness, he inquired about Mir Alam.
When told that he had been arrested, Gandhi told that he should be
released. Gandhi was taken by his friend Rev. Doke to his house and was
nursed there. Rev. Doke later became his first biographer.
Gandhi betrayed
Smuts
however, betrayed Gandhi. The agitation was again resumed. The
voluntary registration certificates were publicly burnt. Meanwhile,
Transvaal passed Immigration Restriction Act. This too was opposed by
the Indians. They crossed Transvaal border illegally and were jailed.
Gandhi, too, was arrested and convicted. The fight continued in spite of
the repression.
Tolstoy Farm
Gandhi
realised that the fight would be a long one. He, therefore, desired to
have a center where the Satyagrahis could lead a simple community life
and get training for the struggle. Phoenix was at about 30 hours
distance from Johannesburg. Gandhi’s German friend Kallenbach therefore
bought 1100 acres of land at a distance of about 20 miles from
Johannesburg, where Tolstoy Farm was established. The community was
named after Tolstoy to pay respect to the great Russian writer whose
book ‘The Kingdom of God is within You’ had greatly influenced Gandhi
and made him a firm believer in non-violence.
The
inmates numbered about 50-75. It was a heterogeneous group. It was a
tribute to Gandhi’s leadership that they remained together happily under
hard conditions. The inmates erected sheds to accommodate themselves.
They did all their work themselves. Drinking, smoking and meat-eating
were prohibited. All ate in the community kitchen. Small Cottage
Industries were started for self-sufficiency. Gandhi and his colleagues
learnt shoe-making. A school was started. Gandhi himself undertook the
responsibility of educating the children. The life was simple, hard, but
joyful. Experiments at Tolstoy Farm proved to be a source of
purification and penance for Gandhi and his co-workers.
The last phase of Satyagraha
Satyagraha
continued for four years. Gandhi discontinued his legal practice in
1910. After many ups and downs, the last phase of Satyagraha began in
September 1913. A Black Law imposing three pounds tax on Indians
provided occasion for it. Satyagrahis crossed Transvaal border defying
the law. Even the women were invited to join. Indian workers in the
Natal coal-mines struck work and joined the struggle. Gandhi led a large
contingent of these workers. They were about 2200 in number. It was on
epic march.
It
aroused sympathy for Satyagraha and indignation for the South African
Government throughout England and India. Indian National Congress
supported the Satyagraha. Gandhi was arrested. The Satyagrahis marched
to Natal without their leader. There, they were arrested and jailed.
Thousands of labourers struck work in sympathy. The public outcry in
India forced the Indian Government to express sympathy for the Indian
cause. The repression having failed, General Smuts had to bow
ultimately. Indian demands were accepted. The fight was over. Gandhi now
could return to India where a great work awaited him.
It
was South Africa which made Gandhi. He had gone there as a young, shy,
Briefless Barrister. He returned as an extra-ordinary leader who had
mobilised masses to an unprecedented extent for a novel fight. In South
Africa, Gandhi’s ideas were shaped. He was influenced by Ruskin, Tolstoy
and Thoreau. He made a deep study of religions there and became a
staunch believer in nonviolence. The principle of Satyagraha was born in
S. Africa.
Gandhi in India: Rise of leadership
Gandhi
returned to India in January 1915. He was welcomed and honoured as a
hero. He spent a year touring the country at the instance of Gokhale,
his guru. He travelled mostly in third class railway compartments. He
saw the conditions in the country first-hand. He founded the Satyagraha
Ashram in May 1915 and started getting involved in the social and
political life of the country. The Champaran Satyagraha was his first
major struggle.
Champaran Satyagraha
Champaran
was a district in Northern Bihar. When Gandhi was called there, it was
virtually under the rule of European indigo planters. They cruelly
exploited and terrorised the tenants. Under the ‘tinkathia’ system, the
tenants had to cultivate indigo in 3/20th part of the land. The tenants
were oppressed and fear-stricken. The British administration supported
the planters.
Gandhi
was invited to visit Champaran by Rajkumar Shukla, a peasant from the
area, in December 1916. Gandhi was first reluctant. But Shukla’s
persistent requests made him change his mind. He went to Champaran in
April 1917 to know the conditions there and the grievances of the
peasants. Before visiting the district, Gandhi visited Muzaffarpur and
Patna. He discussed the matter with lawyers and social workers. Gandhi
declined to seek legal remedies as he felt that law courts were useless
when the people were fear-stricken. For him, removal of fear was most
important. He made request to the lawyers for clerical assistance. Many
of them gladly offered the same.
Gandhi
first met the planters and the District Commissioner. They were
hostile. Gandhi was ordered to leave the area. He ignored the order. He
was then summoned to the court. The news electrified the area. Crowds
gathered at the court. Gandhi pleaded guilty, saying that he was obeying
a higher law, the voice of conscience. The case against him was later
dropped. Gandhi and his co-workers met thousands of the peasants. They
recorded about 8000 statements. Efforts were made to ensure that they
were true. Recording was done in the presence of police officials. Undue
publicity and exaggeration were avoided. Planters’ campaign of slander
was ignored. The masses in Champaran overcame their fear. Public opinion
in the country was aroused. The Government ultimately appointed an
enquiry committee in June 1917, with Gandhi as a member. The committee
recommended abolition of tinkathia system and partial refund of money
taken illegal by the planters. The Satyagraha was thus successful.
Champaran Satyagraha was the first Satyagraha on the Indian soil. It was
Gandhi’s first major political work in India. It was carried out
strictly in accordance with the principles of Satyagraha. Attention was
paid to constructive work like sanitation, education and primary
health-care.
Ahmedabad Satyagraha
A
dispute between the textile mill-owners and the labourers at Ahmedabad
arose in 1918, about the grant of bonus and dearness allowance. The
labourers wanted 50% increase allowance due to steep rise in prices. The
mill-owners were ready to give only 20% increase. Gandhi was approached
to find a solution. He persuaded both the parties to agree to
arbitration. But after a few days, some misunderstanding led to a
strike. The mill-owners seized the opportunity and declared lock-out.
Gandhi studied the case. He thought that 35% increase would be
reasonable. He advised the labourers to demand the same. Regular strike
began on the 26th February 1918. Thousands of labourers struck work.
They took a pledge not to resume work till their demand was met or
arbitration was agreed upon. They also decided to observe non-violence
and maintain peace.
Gandhi
had friends in both the camps. The mill-owners being led by Shri
Ambalal Sarabhai. His sister Ansuyaben was leading the labourers. During
the struggle, Gandhi’s co-workers regularly visited the labourers’
quarters to solve their problems and to keep high their morale. Daily
meetings and prayers were held. Bulletins were issued. Gandhi did not
like charity. Efforts were made to find alternative employments for the
workers. However, after a fortnight, the workers started getting tired.
It was difficult to face starvation. It was unbearable for Gandhi that
they should break the vow. He then decided to undertake an indefinite
fast. This strengthened the workers. It brought moral pressure on the
mill-owners. They consented to arbitration after three days. Gandhi
broke his fast. The Satyagraha was successful. The arbitrator studied
the case for three months and recommended 35% increase in dearness
allowance. The workers’ demand was thus fully met. However, Gandhi’s
fast did involve in an element of coercion. But it was a spontaneous
decision. The situation demanded some drastic action. The Satyagraha was
significant in many respects. It was the first Satyagraha by industrial
workers. It was wholly peaceful. It showed how workers could fight
non-violently. It also gave rise to a strong Gandhian Labour Union.
Kheda Satyagraha
Kheda
was a district in Gujarat. In 1917, there was a crop failure due to
famine. Peasants were unable to pay the land revenue. The rules
permitted suspension of revenue collection when the crops were less than
four annas. According to the peasants’ estimate, the crops were less
than four annas. Gandhi’s inquiries, as well as inquiries by independent
observers, showed that the peasants were right. The Government,
however, thought otherwise. It even turned down a suggestion of an
impartial enquiry. It started coercing the peasants to collect revenue.
Petitions etc. were of no avail. Satyagraha was therefore started on the
22nd March 1918.
Gandhi
advised the peasants to withhold payment to revenue. Satyagrahis took a
pledge not to pay the same and resolved to be ready to face the
consequences. Volunteers went to villages to keep up the morale of the
peasants. As in Champaran, Gandhi’s main concern was to remove the fear
from the peasants’ minds. The officials started attaching the property
of the peasants including cattle and even standing crops. Notices were
sent for attachment of the land. An occasion for civil disobedience
arose when standing onion crop was attached at one place. Gandhi advised
one Mohanlal Pandya and a few volunteers to remove the crop. This was
done. The volunteers were arrested. Pandya earned the nickname ‘Onion
Thief.’
The
struggle went on for about four months till July 1918. It tested the
people’s patience. The Government discontinued coercive measures. It
advised that if the well-to-do peasants paid up, the poor ones would be
granted suspension. In one sense, the Satyagraha was thus successful.
The peasants’ demand was not, however, fully met. Gandhi was not
satisfied. He wanted people to come out stronger after Satyagraha.
However, the Satyagraha resulted in awakening the peasants. It educated
them politically. It was the first peasant struggle under Gandhi’s
leadership, the first nonviolent mass civil disobedience campaign
organised by Gandhi in India. The peasants became aware of their rights
and learnt to suffer for them.
Rowlatt Act
British
Government appointed a Committee in 1917 under the chairmanship of
Justice Rowlatt, (1) to enquire and report to the Government about the
nature and extent of anti-government activities, and (2) to suggest
legal remedies to enable the Government to suppress those activities.
The Committee submitted its report in April 1918. Its work was carried
out in secrecy. The Committee’s recommendations were embodied in two
bills.
The
first bill sought to make a permanent change in the Criminal Law. The
second bill intended to deal with the situation arising out of the
expiry of Defence of India Rules. The first bill made punishable the
possession of an antigovernment document with mere intention to
circulate it. The second bill also gave sweeping powers to the officers.
There were other harsh provisions also. The bills shocked the entire
country. All the leaders considered the bills unjust, unwarranted and
destructive of elementary human rights and dignity. The second bill was
eventually dropped and the first one passed as a Law in March 1919.
Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act
India
had helped the British in the World War. She expected substantial
political rights. Instead, she received the Black Rowlatt bills.
Gandhi
had decided to help the British war efforts during the war. He
undertook a recruiting campaign and worked hard which ruined his health.
While he was recovering, he heard about Rowlatt bills. He was shocked.
He took up the matter and started propaganda against the bill. Gandhi
carried out propaganda against the bill. A separate body called
Satyagraha Sabha was formed. A Satyagraha pledge was drafted and signed
by selected leaders. The Government was, however, adamant. It then
suddenly it occurred to Gandhi that a call for nation-wide hartal should
be given. Everybody in the country should suspend his business and
spend the day in fasting and prayers. Public meetings should be held
everywhere and resolutions passed for withdrawal of the Act.
The
programme was taken up. 30 March was fixed as the day of the hartal,
but it was later postponed to 6th April. The notice was very short.
Still the masses rose to the occasion. The country rose like one man.
Hartal was observed throughout India. Communal prejudices were
forgotten. All fear disappeared. In Delhi, Swami Shraddhanand, the Hindu
sanyasi was invited to Jama Masjid. It was also decided that civil
disobedience should be offered to selected laws which could easily be
disobeyed by the people. Gandhi suggested breaking of the Salt law and
the sale of the banned literature. The civil disobedience was a great
success. Throughout India, meetings were held and processions taken out.
The
public awakening was unprecedented. It startled the British. Repression
was let loose. Processions were broken up by mounted police and firing
was done at several places. Many persons were killed. At some places,
people lost balance in the face of repression. In such a situation,
Gandhi thought it fit to suspend the Civil Disobedience Campaign. It was
done on the 18th April. Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act was
historic. It was the first nation-wide struggle, in which crores of
people participated and showed exemplary courage. The Indian freedom
movement was transformed into a truly people’s movement. The period also
witnessed Hindu-Muslim friendship to an extent that was never surpassed
thereafter.
Jallianwala Bagh
Satyagraha
in Punjab was also quite successful. Its leaders Dr. Satyapal and Dr.
Kitchlew were arrested. People observed hartal and took out a procession
in Amritsar to demand their release. It was fired upon, and many
persons were killed. The crowd therefore became violent and killed 5-6
Englishmen. Some public buildings were burnt. Army troops were rushed in
to stop the violence. This was on April 10th 1919. On April 11, a
peaceful funeral procession was taken out.
General
Dyer then took command of the troops. Meetings and gatherings were
prohibited. Still a large meeting was held on April 12th at Jallianwala
Bagh. General Dyer took no steps to prevent the meeting. But when the
meeting was taking place, he surrounded the place and without any
warning, gave orders of firing. The crowd of nearly 10,000 men and women
was peaceful and unarmed. They had no idea that they would be fired
upon. When the firing started the people became panicky. There was only
one exit. Bullets were showered on the trapped people. 1650 rounds were
fired. About 400 persons were killed and 1200 injured. General Dyer did
this deliberately to teach the Indians a lesson. Jallianwala Bagh
massacre shocked the country. It showed how brutal the British power
could get. It was followed by many more atrocities. They turned Gandhi
fully against the British Empire.
Amritsar Congress
The
annual session of the Indian National Congress was held at Amritsar in
Punjab in December 1919. Most of the leaders in jails were released
before or during the session. The session was attended by 8000 delegates
including 1500 peasants. It was the last Congress session attended by
Lokmanya Tilak. The Moderates, however, did not attend it. Pandit
Motilal Nehru was in the Chair. The Congress was now acquiring a mass
character. The proceedings were conducted mainly in Hindustani.
The
Congress passed a resolution for removal of General Dyer, the butcher
of Jallianwala Bagh. Recall of the Punjab Governor and the Viceroy was
also demanded. It was decided to erect a memorial for the Jallianwala
Bagh martyrs. Gandhi moved a resolution condemning violence on the part
of the people and got it passed. It was a very significant event. The
resolution also urged the people to remain peaceful. The Congress also
reiterated the demand for responsible Government. The Montague Reforms
were considered inadequate, disappointing and unsatisfactory. But it was
decided to work the reforms. Revival of hand-spinning and hand-weaving
was recommended. The Congress appointed a subcommittee for
reconsideration of the Congress Constitution with Gandhi as the
Chairman. It was the first Congress session in which Gandhi took an
active part. His leadership was strengthened in Amritsar Congress.
The Khilafat question
During
the First World Way, Turkey sided with Germany against the British. The
Sultan of Turkey was the Khalifa, the religious head of the Muslim
world. The future of Khalifa, therefore, became a matter of concern for
Indian Muslims. The British Government promised them that the Khilafat
would not be violated and favourable peace terms would be offered to
Turkey. But when Turkey was defeated in the war, the promises were
forgotten. Turkish Empire was broken. Indian Muslims felt agitated over
this.
Gandhi
sympathised with the Khilafat cause. He felt that Hindus should help
the Muslim in their need. For him, it was an excellent opportunity to
forge communal unity, bring Muslims in the freedom movement and form a
common front against the British. The Khilafat Committee was formed. It
demanded that terms of treaty with Turkey should be changed to satisfy
the Indian Muslims. Gandhi suggested the programme of Non-Cooperation
with the British Government. This programme was adopted by the Committee
in May 1920.
The Non Co-operation Movement
The
redressal of injustice of Punjab and Khilafat and the attainment of
Swaraj became the key issue. The masses were getting awakened. Gandhi
announced the inauguration of Non-violent Non-Co-operation Movement on
the 1st August 1920. A special session of Congress in September accepted
the programme. The Nagpur Congress in December 1920 endorsed it
enthusiastically.
The programme consisted of the following points -
Surrender of titles and honours given by the British Government
Boycott of law-courts
Boycott of educational institutions
Boycott of councils and elections
Boycott of foreign cloth
Boycott of Government functions
Picketing of liquor shops
Refusal to get recruited in the army
The
programme was not just negative. It included the building of new
institutions. National Education was encouraged. Stress was laid on
Khadi. Charkha became the symbol of freedom.
The
Congress was completely reorganised and a new constitution drafted by
Gandhi was adopted to make it a mass organisation and a useful tool for
the struggle. The movement started with hartal, fasting and prayers. It
soon spread like wildfire. The freedom movement had become a mass
movement. Gandhi declared the Swaraj could be won within one year if the
programme was fully implemented. People showed great unity,
determination and courage. Hundreds of National schools were
established. Tilak Swaraj Fund was over-subscribed. About 20 lakh
charkhas began to be plied in the country. The boycott shook the
Government.
1921
was the year of the rise of Indian Nationalism Gandhi became a Mahatma,
the most loved and revered figure in the country. Masses looked to him
as a saint, as an incarnation of God who had come to free them from
slavery and poverty. The Government started repression. Arrests were
made. Firing took place at some places. The country boycotted the visit
of Prince of Wales, the British Prince in November 1921. Disturbances
broke out at Bombay and Gandhi had to fast to control the situation. By
the end of 1921, the number of prisoners had risen to 30,000.
Processions and meetings were being broken up.
The
masses were getting impatient. Call was given for Civil Disobedience.
Gandhi wanted to start the campaign step-by-step. He chose Bardoli in
Gujarat for starting the campaign. Notice was given to Government on the
1st February 1922. However, the movement had to be called off within a
few days. On the 5th February, a mob including Congressmen set fire to a
police station at Chauri Chaura in U.P., killing about 22 policemen.
Gandhi was shocked. He realised that people had not fully accepted
non-violence. He persuaded the Congress to suspend the agitation. Gandhi
was arrested in March and was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment. He
was kept in the Yeravda jail near Pune.
The Life of Mahatma Gandhi (1922-1948)
Gandhi
was freed from jail in 1924 on the ground of health. The country was
witnessing a wave of communal riots. Gandhi fasted for 21 days in
October 1924. He toured the entire country. He laid stress on the
charkha and the removal of untouchability. Political atmosphere in the
country began to change slowly. There was a wave of labour strikes in
1928-29. Armed revolutionaries stepped up their activities. There was
widespread discontent among the peasants. The historic Satyagraha at
Bardoli in Gujarat showed its intensity.
Bardoli Satyagraha
Bardoli
was a tehsil in Gujarat. Government increased the land revenue
assessment there by 30%. Protests brought it down to 22%. The peasants
thought it unjust. Vallabhbhai Patel studied the case. He was convinced
that the peasants were right. The peasants decided to withhold the
payment until the enhancement was cancelled or an impartial tribunal
appointed for setting the case. Gandhi blessed the Satyagraha. It
started in February 1928.
Vallabhbhai
Patel led the struggle. He organised sixteen camps under the charge of
250 volunteers. His organisation was superb. It earned him the title
‘Sardar’. The government tried its best to terrorise the people and
extract the payment. It tried flattery, bribery, fines, imprisonment and
lathi-charge. Pathans were brought in to threaten the people. The
cattle was taken away and lands auctioned at several places. Patel kept
up the people’s morale. His volunteers were arrested. People imposed a
social boycott on the Government officials and against those who bought
auctioned property. Seven members of the Legislative Council resigned in
protest against the Government repression. Several village officials,
too, resigned their posts.
1) The Government issued an ultimatum for payment. Patel demanded that
2) The Satyagrahi prisoners should be released.
3) The lands sold and forfeited, should be returned.
4) The cost of seized movables should be refunded.
All
the dismissals and punishments should be undone. Gandhi and Patel
promised to call off the agitation if these demands were met and an
inquiry ordered. The Government ultimately yielded. An Inquiry Committee
was appointed. The Committee recommended an increase of 5.7% only. The
satyagraha was thus successful. The Bardoli struggle was very well
organised one. The peasants remained united against all odds. Women took
part in the struggle on a large scale. The struggle became a symbol of
hope, strength and victory for the peasants in the country.
Rising discontent
The
discontent against the British Government was increasing. The
Government appointed Simon Commission to decide about the grant of
political rights of India. Indian leaders had not been consulted. There
was no Indian Member in the Commission. The country boycotted Simon
Commission.
Gandhi
had regarded himself as a ‘Prisoner’ and refrained from political
activities till 1928, when his jail term was to expire. He thereafter
took the reins of Congress in his hands. Congress resolved in 1929 to
fight for complete independence. Confrontation with the Government
became imminent. Gandhi launched Civil Disobedience Campaign-the famous
Salt Satyagraha.
The Salt Satyagraha
Gandhi
wrote to the Viceroy, listing eleven demands which, according to him,
formed the substance of self-government. They were rejected. Gandhi then
decided to start Civil Disobedience by breaking the Salt Law, which
heavily taxed the salt, an article of daily consumption for the poorest
of the poor. He started his epic Dandi March on the 12 March 1930 from
Ahmedabad.
A
carefully selected band of 78 Satyagrahis accompanied Gandhi in this
March to Dandi, a deserted village on the sea-coat, at about 240 miles
from Ahmedabad. As the March progressed, the atmosphere in the country
was electrified. Several village officials resigned their posts. Gandhi
declared that he would not return to Sabarmati Ashram till Independence
was won. Congress Committee met on the 21st March to plan the strategy.
Gandhi
reached Dandi on the 6th April and broke the Salt law symbolically by
picking up a pinch of salt. It was signal for the nation. Civil
Disobedience campaign was started throughout the country. Salt Law
broken at many places by illegal production of salt and its sale. Gandhi
went to the surrounding places and started a campaign to cut toddy
trees. Picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops was started. Women
were on the forefront in picketing the liquor shops. The whole country
was stirred. Some other laws like Forest Laws were also taken up for
disobedience at some places.
Government
intensified the repression. Most of the important leaders including
Gandhi were arrested. But the agitation grew in strength. People bravely
faced police brutalities and even firing at many places. A wave of
strikes and hartals swept the country. At Peshawar, soldiers of Garhwali
regiment refused to fire on the unarmed people. They were
court-martialled. Before his arrest, Gandhi hit upon a novel idea to
raid salt depots. The Dharasana raid, in which several non-violent
Satyagrahis were mercilessly beaten, sent shock-waves throughout the
world. It lowered the British prestige. The movement progressed till
January 1931. The boycott of foreign cloth, liquor and British goods was
almost complete. Gandhi and other leaders were subsequently released
from jail. Government started negotiations. Gandhi-Irvin Pact was signed
in March. The Satyagraha was discontinued. This was a major Satyagraha,
during which 111 Satyagrahis died in firings and about one lakh persons
went to jail.
A phase of repression
Gandhi
took part in the Round Table Conference in England in 1931 as the
representative of the Congress. It was a frustrating experience for him.
The British were bent on prolonging their rule by following the policy
of Divide and Rule’. Gandhi stayed in London in a poor locality. He even
met the unemployed textile mill-workers who had lost the jobs due to
Gandhi’s movement of Swadeshi and Boycott. He explained to them the
rationale behind Khadi. The workers showered love on him.
The
Round Table Conference yielded nothing. Gandhi returned in December
1931. He was arrested and the Civil Disobedience Campaign was resumed.
The Congress was declared illegal. The Government was determined to
crush the movement. The leaders and a large number of workers were
arrested. Ordinances were issued to arm the Government with wide powers.
Gandhi was lodged in the Yervada jail.
Yeravda Pact
While
Gandhi was in Yeravda jail the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
announced the provisional scheme of minority representation, known as
the Communal Award. The depressed classes (now known as Scheduled
Castes) were recognised as a minority community and given separate
electorates.
Gandhi
was shocked. It was an attempt to divide and destroy the Hindu Society
and the Nation and in turn to perpetuate India’s slavery. It was not
good for the depressed also. Gandhi announced his decision to fast unto
death from the 20th September 1932. He was fully for the representation
to the depressed classes, but he was against their being considered as a
minority community and given separate electorates. Gandhi’s decision
stirred the country. Indian leaders began hectic efforts to save
Gandhi’s life. But Dr. Ambedkar described the fast as a political Stunt.
Gandhi’s decision awakened the Hindu Society. It dealt a blow to the
orthodoxy. Hindu leaders resolved to fight untouchability. Several
temples were thrown open to the Harijans.
The
fast began on 20th September. Attempts to evolve an alternative scheme
were continuing. Gandhi’s health started deteriorating. He had several
rounds of discussions with Dr. Ambedkar. At last, an agreement was
reached on the 24th September. The Government was urged to accept the
same. The British Government ultimately gave its consent. Gandhi broke
his fast on 26th September. The agreement is known as the Yeravda Pact
or the Poona Pact. It provided for doubling the number of
representatives of depressed classes. Separate electorates were however,
done away with. It was decided that for every reserved seat, members of
the depressed classes would elect four candidates and the
representative would be elected from them by joint electorate. The
system of primary election was to be for ten years.
Anti-untouchability Campaign
Yeravda
Pact gave a great boost to the anti-untouchability work. Harijan Sevak
Sangh was established. ‘Harijan’ Weekly was started. After his release,
Gandhi put aside political activities and devoted himself to Harijan
service and other constructive work. All-India Village Industries
Association was also formed. Gandhi gave the Sabarmati Ashram to the
Harijan Sevak Sangh and later settled at Wardha. He toured the entire
country and collected Harijan Fund. The massive anti-untouchability
propaganda launched by him had spectacular results. He had, of course,
of face opposition. Even a bomb was once thrown at him.
The campaign destroyed the legitimacy of untouchability. It cleared the
way for legal ban. In 1936, Gandhi settled down at Sevagram, a village
near Wardha. In 1937, he presided over the Educational Conference, which
gave rise to the scheme of Basic Education.
India and the War
While
Gandhi was busy in the constructive work, elections to the provincial
assemblies were held in 1937. Congress Ministers were formed in several
provinces. the Second World War began in 1939. The British Government
dragged India into the War without consulting Indian leaders. Congress
Ministries resigned in protest. The Congress expressed expressed
sympathy for the Allied powers’ fight against Nazism and Fascism and
offered co-operation provided responsible Self-Government was granted.
Gandhi was however against any co-operation in war efforts on the ground
of Nonviolence. When the Government turned down the Congress demand,
Gandhi was requested to resume the leadership.
Gandhi
decided to launch Anti-War individual Satyagraha against curtailment of
freedom. It was inaugurated by Vinoba in October 1940. Pandit Nehru was
the Second Satyagrahi. The Satyagrahis were arrested. By May 1941, the
number of Satyagrahi prisoners had crossed 25000.
Cripps Mission
The
War was approaching India’s borders with the advance of Japan. England
was in difficulties. It could not afford any agitation in India. There
were various other pressures on the British Government to make political
concessions. As a result, Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India in
March 1942.
Cripps
discussed the matter with the Indian leaders. He proposed Dominion
Status with power to the States and the provinces to secede and
convening of a constitution-making body after the War. But the adherence
to the constitution drafted by that body was not to be obligatory.
Indian leaders including Gandhi found the Cripps Proposals
disappointing. They were aptly termed as post dated cheque on a crashing
bank. The Muslim League wanted a definite pronouncement about Pakistan
and therefore criticised the Cripps proposals. Congress rejected the
Cripps scheme because it did not provide for the participation of the
people of the states and the principles of non-accession was against
Indian unity. The Cripps Mission failed.
‘Quit India’ Movement
The
country wanted nothing but Complete Independence. The Congress passed
the historic ‘Quit India’ resolution on 8th August 1942. Gandhi and
other leaders were arrested. The country now rose in revolt. With most
of the leaders in jail, it fought in the way it thought fit. Railway
lines and telegraphic communications were interfered with. Government
property was burnt or destroyed in several places. The people displayed
unprecedented courage and heroism. Unarmed people faced police lathis
and bullets. Young boys suffered flogging without flinching. Government
machinery was paralysed and parallel Government was set up at some
places.
Many
workers went underground. About 1000 people died in firings during the
movement. About 1600 were injured and 60000 people were arrested. It was
noteworthy that violence was done to Government property only.
Englishmen were safe throughout the Movement. There was little personal
violence. Thus, while the masses rose to great heights of heroism, they
also displayed remarkable restraint. It was surely Gandhi’s
contribution. The rebellion was, however, gradually put down.
Gandhi
was in Agakhan Palace jail. He was blamed by the British for the
disturbances. He could not tolerate questioning of his faith and honesty
and fasted for 21 days. Gandhi lost his wife Kasturba and his Secretary
Mahadev Desai in the Agakhan Palace. It was a great blow to him. His
health was not in a good condition. He was finally released in May 1944
on health grounds. He then started efforts to break the political
stalemate.
Background of the Partition
The
Hindu-Muslim unity, forged at the time of the Khilafat agitation,
collapsed thereafter. The country witnessed a wave of communal riots.
The British encouraged Muslim communalism and used it to obstruct the
path of the Freedom Movement. M. A. Jinnah, an erstwhile liberal leader,
who had been sidelined when the Congress became a mass organisation,
assumed the leadership of Muslim communalism.
The
Muslim League under his leadership became more aggressive, unreasonable
and violent. The two-nation theory-that Hindus and Muslims were two
separate Muslim homeland called ‘Pakistan,’ consisting of the
Muslim-majority provinces. Jinnah’s shrewdness, ambition and
ruthlessness, communalisation of large sections of society and the
British support for Jinnah, brought about such a situation that the
Muslim demands became an obstacle in the way of India’s Independence.
Jinnah kept the demands fluid and utilised every opportunity to
frustrate the Nationalist Movement and further his end with the support
of the British rulers.
The
two-nation theory was an untruth. The Hindus and Muslims had lived
together in India for centuries. Gandhi fought this untruth with all his
might. He did everything possible, including meeting Jinnah several
times. But he failed. Jinnah wanted recognition of the League as the
sole representative of the Muslims. It was not acceptable to the
Congress.
Cabinet Mission
The
War ended in 1945. After an election, Labour Party’s Government came to
power in England. England had been extremely weakened financially and
militarily. The Azad Hind Sena had shown that even the army was not
untouched by nationalism. Mutiny of the naval ratings in February 1946
gave the same indication. The people were in an agitated mood. The
British rule had lost legitimacy in the eyes of the people. The British,
therefore, decided to withdraw from India.
Cabinet
Mission was sent to India to help in the formation of Interim
Government and to purpose a scheme regarding the transfer of power. The
mission proposed that the provinces be divided in three groups, in one
of which Hindus were in the majority while in the other two Muslims.
Subjects like defence, foreign affairs, communications etc, were to be
with the Central Authority and the groups were to be free to frame
constitutions about other subjects. Gandhi found the proposals
defective. Muslim League declared ‘Direct Action’ to get Pakistan.
‘Direct Action’ meant unleashing of violence. The Hindus retaliated. In
Calcutta alone, over 6000 people were killed 4 days. The Hindu
communalism too became stronger.
The Noakhali massacre
In
the Noakhali area of East Bengal, where Muslims formed 82% of the
population, a reign of terror was let loose in a planned and systematic
way in October 1946. The Hindus were killed and beaten, their property
was burnt, thousands of Hindus were forcibly converted and thousands of
Hindu women were abducted and raped. Temples were defiled and destroyed.
The
League Government in Bengal aided the goondas. Even ex-serviceman
joined in committing the atrocities. In Noakhali, about three-fourth of
the land belonged to the Hindu landlords and the tenants were mostly
Muslims. The peasant unrest was naturally there. It was now turned along
communal channels. The Noakhali massacre had few parallels in the
history. It showed to what level communal politics could stop to. It was
meant to terrorise, kill, convert or drive away the Hindus from
Muslim-majority areas so that Pakistan could become a reality.
Gandhi’s Noakhali March
Gandhi
was deeply shocked. He could not bear the defeat of his long-cherished
principles. On 6th November 1946, he rushed to Noakhali. It was to be
his final and perhaps the most glorious battle.
Gandhi
reached Shrirampur and camped there for a few days. He sent his
associates including Pyarelal and Sushila Nayyar to different villages
which were mostly deserted by the Hindus. He did all his personal work
himself. He worked like a possessed man. He walked barefooted, went from
house to house, talked to Hindus and Muslims, heard their points of
view, and reasoned with them and addressed meetings.
He
wanted to instill fearlessness into the Hindus. He exhorted them to die
nonviolently, if need be, but not to submit to terror. He did not
appease the Muslim. He told the truth bluntly. He wanted to win their
confidence and make them see reason and earn the confidence of the
Hindus. He did not only preach, he served the village poor. He was
testing his Nonviolence. It was very difficult to establish mutual
trust. The League had made poisonous propaganda against him. But
Gandhi’s mission began to yield results. It boosted the morale of
Hindus. Passions began to subside. Some evacuees started returning home.
Some even returned to their original faith. Gandhi gradually succeeded
in earning the love and confidence of even the Muslims.
India wins Independence
Noakhali
had its reaction in Bihar, where Hindus resorted to violence. The
country was seized by communal madness. Gandhi went to Bihar and brought
the situation under control.
The
situation in the country was explosive. Civil War was imminent. The
Congress ultimately consented to the partition of India. Despite
Gandhi’s bitter opposition, he could not do anything to prevent the
partition.
While
the country was celebrating the Independence. Day on 15th August 1947,
Gandhi was in Bengal to fight communal madness. Partition was followed
by riots, a massacre of unparalleled dimensions. It witnessed movement
of about one crore persons and killing of at least six lakh persons.
Calcutta was once more on the verge of riots. Gandhi under-took a fast
which had a magical effect. Lord Mountbatten described him as ‘one-man
peace army’. Gandhi continued to plead for sanity in those turbulent
days.
Gandhi’s death
It
was January 1948. Communal feelings were high due to the partition of
the country. Hindu communalists thought that Gandhi was pro-Muslim. His
fast for communal amity which resulted in the Government of India
honouring its obligation of giving Rs. 50 Crores. to Pakistan had
further angered them. Gandhi was staying at the Birla house in New
Delhi. He used to hold evening prayer meetings regularly. He used to
speak on various issues. Once a bomb was thrown during his prayer
meeting. Still, Gandhi did not permit security checks.
On
30th of January 1948, about 500 people had gathered for the prayer
meeting on the lawns of the Birla House. Gandhi was a bit late as Sardar
Patel had come to see him. At 5.10 p.m. he left the room and walked to
the prayer ground. He was supporting himself on the shoulders of Abha
and Manu, his grand daughter-in-law and granddaughter respectively.
People rushed forward to get his darshan and to touch his feet.
Gandhi
folded his hands to greet them. When he was a few yards away from the
prayer platform, a young man came forward. He saluted Gandhi, suddenly
took out a small pistol and fired three shots. The bullets hit Gandhi on
and below the chest. He fell to the ground with the words. ‘Hey Ram’ on
his lips. He died within minutes. The crowd was shocked. The assassin
was Nathuram Godse,’ a worker of Hindu Mahasabha. He was caught and
handed over to the Police.
Gandhi's
body was taken to Birla House. People thronged the place and wept
bitterly. The whole world was plunged in sorrow. The next morning,
Gandhi’s body was placed on a gun-carriage and taken to Rajghat.
Millions of people joined the procession to have the last darshan
(glimpse) of the Mahatma. His son Ramdas lit the funeral pyre. The
Mahatma had become a martyr for communal unity.
