Part 1: The Assassination
Part 2: The Beginning
Part 3: The Cult of Chakra
Part 4: The Practical Man
‘Go and work. Work solves your difficulties.’
During the non-cooperation movement in 1920 some students complained to Gandhi that khadi (Indian handwoven cloth) clothes were costlier than foreign clothes. Boycotting foreign goods are only going to burden the poor. Gandhi had a simple solution to that problem - ‘wear less clothes’. From that day onwards Gandhi renounced dhoti and kurta and wore just a langot. He became the ‘half-naked fakir’. Gandhi was a very practical man who believed in simplicity and led by example. Once an interviewer came to Gandhi and explained his problems in detail. After listening patiently he replied, ‘The fact you talked so long on the problem shows you have not understood the problem’. The interviewer was shocked and confused. So Gandhi clarified, ‘Go and work. Work solves your difficulties.’ Gandhi measured ideas and theories by testing them practically, and not by intellectual debates. That was the reason why he was so successful and it was easy for the mass to follow him. He had a simple vision - Poorna Swaraj (Total Self Governance). His mission was Bharat Chhodo (Quit India), which he wanted to achieve through non-violent means like satyagraha and non-cooperation.
Yet, it was Gandhi, who led thousands of Indians to march towards Dandi without a single act of violence.
Non-violent methods were not simple. Saints and scholars like Buddha and Mahavira has tried to make the world understand it’s meaning. But, none of them could bring the concept of non-violence to the large number of illiterate mass of India like Gandhi did. It is difficult for people to sacrifice their ego and suffer physical pain at the hands of an oppressor, and still protest. It is easy for people to misunderstand non-violent methods. Gandhi ultimately paid the price of that ignorance. Yet, it was Gandhi, who led thousands of Indians to march towards Dandi without a single act of violence. One must note that Gandhi was practical even with non-violence. Once an activist named Gora wanted to dissect a frog to teach heartbeat to the nurses in Gandhi ashram. The nurses protested, as the method was against Gandhian principle. When the matter was reported to Gandhi he said, ‘Dissect the frog, if that is the only way to explain the heart-beat.’ Gandhi had witnessed Britain’s ammunition power first hand. He knew that India cannot match them in an arms combat. He chose non-violence only because he thought it would be more practical.
The British apathy frustrated INC and they were finally ready to go on the aggressive path. Tricolor Indian flag with the spinning wheel in middle was hoisted in Lahore, independence pledge was read out, and 26 January was declared as the Independence Day, or Poorna Swaraj. Gandhi called for the civil disobedience movement, which included non-payment of taxes. He also launched salt satyagraha with Dandi March on 12 March 1930. Many, including Jawaharlal, ridiculed the idea of protesting against British salt monopoly instead of bigger issues. But Gandhi knew well that bigger political concerns do not connect to the masses. He was more concerned with issues of the poor in order to bring them into the movement of civil disobedience. It was a huge success. Thousands of Indians were put behind bars, including Gandhi, for making illegal salt. Ghaffar Khan, with over 50,000 followers, joined the movement to fill in for those who were put behind the bars. After Ghaffar Khan’s arrest thousands more gathered to protest. The British police were ordered to open fire on the peaceful protesters. Over 250 people were killed, but the protesters stood firmly in front of the bullets without any violence. Even the bullets failed this time.
After all key leaders were arrested, 76-year-old Abbas Tyabji and Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba, followed Dandi March with the Dharasana March; and after their arrest, Sarojini Naidu took the lead. Women, for the first time, became actively involved in freedom struggle of India. American journalist Webb Miller published the atrocities of British rule against nonviolent protests and helped turn the world opinion against the British rule in India. Time Magazine declared Gandhi as ‘The Man of the Year’ in 1930. Webb had immense respect for the naked fakir. He used to carry a cigarette case, and in one of his meetings with Gandhi, the latter promised to sign it only if he never smoked again. Webb Miller maintained his promise till he died. Even after the massive protests, the salt tax was not reduced. The movement, however, united the Indians and also managed to get the support of the world for India’s cause. Gandhi was released from prison and was called to a round table conference, the first time for an Indian as an equal. It was not much of a success though.
‘Gandhi should be allowed to fast to death’
After Britain’s failure to guarantee India complete independence post the World War, Gandhi launched Quit India Movement in August 1942. He gave the ultimatum: ‘Do or die’. It was a moral dilemma for many Indians who hated the Nazis for killing the innocent Jews and the Romani people. The Romani people were a group of Indian-origin migrants who left India over 1,000 years ago. At the same time, the Indians could not support the arrogant British, especially after the bitter experience of World War I. The British government was quick to suppress the movement, especially because Japan had already invaded Burma and were closing in on India. Over 100,000 Indians were imprisoned, including Gandhi and all top leaders of Congress. On 9 February 1943, old but still strong, Gandhi went for a 21-day fast in jail. The British Raj was unmoved, and Linlithdow wrote, ‘Gandhi should be allowed to fast to death’. All preparations were made for his funeral, and an ambulance was left on standby.
‘Do you know how much it costs every day to keep you in poverty?’
Gandhi was temporarily released to meet his ailing wife. She died on Gandhi’s lap. The was the only day people saw tears in Gandhi’s eyes. Despite the dire situation, he did not allow doctors to give her Western medicine. Instead, Gandhi and his followers were singing devotional songs near her deathbed. Long back, Gandhi said that it was difficult for someone to be his wife and only Kasturba could manage it. She did it till the end. How could he allow Western medicine to save the life of his wife? How could he betray the image that he created for himself? It was not easy being Gandhi, and it came at a price. Poetess Sarojini Naidu once jokingly questioned her friend Gandhi, ‘Do you know how much it costs every day to keep you in poverty?’. Gandhi had no reply because he knew. Heavy security followed Gandhi wherever he went. When he stayed with the Dalits, there were disguised congress men who stayed around him. Even Gandhi was not aware of them. Gandhi preferred to travel in third class compartment of the train. But, as Jinnah once said, his first class travels were cheaper than Gandhi’s. There were millions of people flocked up to catch a glimpse of the man even when we was travelling. The railways had to schedule special train and book the whole compartment for him.
"Gandhi was more that a person, he was an idea that bound the nation."
Despite the expense, Gandhi did all he could to reduce the burden. Once Gandhi was travelling with Manuben. She booked two full compartments, one for Bapu, and other for all the luggage they were carrying as there would be lots of people who would come and visit Gandhi. When Gandhi came to know he was furious and said, ‘This is what is called blind (undiscerning) love. You do know that to save me trouble the Government offered me a special train if I did not want to go by 'plane. How many trains would be held up and what a lot it would cost to run a special train? How can I tolerate it? I am very cost-minded….Now the only way of repentance is to remove all the luggage into this compartment and to request the station-master to see me at the next station.’ Gandhi was more that a person, he was an idea that bound the nation. How else could the millions of Indians follow him?
Part 5: The Sex Maniac
Part 6: The Miracle
Part 7: Decoding Gandhi
Also Check Out: 5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes
Written by Subhrashis Adhikari
"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India
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