This is second in the series of how some of the close aides
of Gandhiji opposed the many fasts that Gandhiji undertook.
Relevant excerpts from Mahadevbhai Desai’s diaries, translated from
Gujarati by me.
Volume-2, [Year 1932]: [Views of Vallabhbhai Patel and Mahadevbhai
Desai on Gandhiji’s proposed fast while in jail concerning a conference.]
‘... Bapu [Gandhiji] said: “Though it is a fleeting thought, I feel now
– that if these people cannot establish unity till Tuesday then a notice of fast
should be given!”
‘Vallabhbhai remained silent. When he went for some work, I
[Mahadevbhai] discussed: “To fast only to convey best inspiration while the conference
is on, is what I like.”
‘Bapu: “...What I was talking was to undertake a fast until
the conference comes to a positive end.”
‘I [Mahadevbhai]: “Then that is a gun [force].”
‘Bapu: “Yes.”
‘I [Mahadevbhai]: “That [kind of fast] is not palatable to
me. The earlier one is palatable. No one can object to it ... there is no
stress [force] on getting a result, it [fast] is a symbol of self cleansing and good
wishes [for the conference] only.” ...
... ‘Bapu: “Vallabhbhai, what do you have to say?”
‘Vallabhbhai: (Angrily) “You now please let the people rest
in peace! They have all gathered there
[for the conference], they will do what they seem is right. Why do you irritate
people by showing a gun [use of force]? Others will also feel that this man is without any
work, he undertakes fast every now and then. Moreover it is a different thing that
it will be believed that this is an excuse to get out [of jail].”
‘Bapu: “But what about the kind of a fast that Mahadevbhai
suggests?”
‘Vallabhbhai: “Not any type of fast at all!”
‘Bapu: “So there is absolutely no permission from the
chief?”
‘Vallabhbhai: “Yes.”
‘Bapu: “... But can it be undertaken even if you say no?”
Vallabhbhai: “You are saying that to test us. You are of a type
who will say yes if we say no and no if we say yes.”
‘Bapu: “Great, in that case I should undertake fast isn’t
it?”...
Volume-3, [Date: 6-1- 1933]: [A conversation between Gandhiji and Kakasaheb {possibly Kakasaheb Kalelkar}
concerning fasts]
... ‘Kaka asked: “You [Gandhiji] took up Appa’s fast, you also took up that of
Kellapan. So is it your intention that no one except you should undertake fast?
Many people will have to undertake fasts.”
‘Bapu: “I have already said that many people will have to
undertake fast. But not today. There are reasons for this. The first reason is
that special competence is required for that [fast]. Secondly, I am a witness to the
call in the Yerwada pact given by the upper caste Hindus; and who else is a representative of the
upper caste Hindus like me to fulfill this
call? Third thing is that others have to do a lot of other work. By coming to jail, I have done all that needs to be done; now this is the work [of
fasting]. Not all can do this, but I have the strength, and I can
show the strength sitting from here and so I feel it is appropriate that I
alone should undertake a fast.” ...
Volume-3, [Date: 30-4-1933]: [Views o f Devdas [Gandhiji’s son] and Mahadevbhai
Desai on one of the fasts declared by Mahatma Gandhi due to several reasons
including problems at his ashram]
[Mahadevbhai]: ...‘while
talking of the ashram, Vallabhbhai said: “...ashram has become very big. Remove
all those who have come in unnecessarily...”
[Mahadevbhai]... ‘In
the morning [I] heard him [Gandhiji] speak with Chaganlal about the decision
taken by him [Gandhiji]: “I was awake since 11... A lot of conflict was going
on [in the mind]. Thoughts of Neela came; thoughts of that German girl came.
Should I send both of them to the ashram or not? If Margret does not behave
properly she can be sent back to Germany, Neela also can be given leave. But this was the upper dispute. However a
voice kept coming from within that undertake fast, undertake fast. This has been going
on for three days now... I had undertaken 21 days’ fast for the unity of Hindus
and the Muslims, forty should be done for this. But no, answer [from within] came
to do only 21 days [fast]...The last cause can be said to be Neela...I
desire to get work done through the ashram, but problems go on day and night
there, it [the ashram] is filled with dirt...so at last the inner voice said to
undertake fast...”
[Mahadevbhai]: ‘...Then [I] wrote a note to telephone Devdas and
sat down to make a copy of the statement/appeal [possibly concerning fast]... When Devdas came we went
to the mango orchard... poor fellow [Devdas] must have thought that Bapu must have fallen
ill suddenly. Just then Bapu said: “See, Vallabhbhai and Mahadev have not
discussed at all, similarly [Devdas] you also read it [possibly the
statement/appeal] peacefully and understand that there is no scope for any discussion.”
[Mahadevbhai]: ‘Devdas read it [appeal/statement] once, read it the
second time. [Devdas] Was shocked... [Devdas] cried as he spoke... there was anger,
sadness, deep pain in his talk...’
‘Bapu said: “The conflict of whether to undertake [fast] for
21 days or 40 days is going on since a month now. Should a person convey all
his thoughts to others? ... It has been three days and I have not slept for
hours on end... as if for three days a person is preparing to die...”
‘Devdas: “Therefore the ashram and Neela became the final
cause right?”
‘Gandhiji: “Yes, it can be said so, but in a different way. Want to use Neela for the service of the Harijans. But how much purity is required
for that? The use of the ashram is mainly for such work. But the ashram has formed
cracks at so many places, in that case how can any work be undertaken through
it [ashram]? Fast was not to be done for the ashram at all. I had thought about
it once but then had given up the idea clearly. Even this time, I fret a lot to
not undertake the fast, but as I decide not to fast, newer circumstances keep
developing. The report of Allahabad came and I was furious. It was described as
the abode of plague; it was suggested to demolish it [possibly the ashram]...I can collect crores of
rupees but what would be the outcome? Few organizations may come up but under
the shadow of my fast, layers and layers will be uprooted and the film/blind on
the eyes of the people will be removed.”
‘Devdas: “You may explain all that. But I find this a breach
of a promise. You have been told several times to let the Poona pact be
implemented. It is not yet six months...But the fact is that your mind has
become weak, nothing else strikes you; you finally end up on fasts. You cannot
work for the Harijans in any other way so you have taken this path! I want to
tell you that reading your statement/appeal has had a very bad impact on me. You
believe there will be an awakening of the people, but I say hypocrisy will be
cultivated. Your mistakes will not lead to the spiritual advancement of anyone. You
are doing injustice to us and excessively punishing us unnecessarily. Two
children committed some mistake in the ashram, this was normal, what is so
surprising in it? Don’t make those helpless people the cause [of fast]. Instead of now saying
clearly that I [Gandhiji] am helpless, you are saying that the fast is being
done for self purification by you. I find the whole thing rotten. I see no good
result coming out of this.”
[Mahadevbhai]: ‘Bapu was laughing away.’
‘Devdas: “Why are you laughing it away? If you cannot
convince me then who else will be able to understand? ...”
‘Bapu: “Fast is an inseparable part of religion. In Islam
and in other religions several have died like this...this time I am fasting for
the mute - poor and the helpless so it needs to be declared...I have this
ordinary strength which I am using...there is a possibility that there is
hypocrisy in this, in that case my end should certainly come...”
‘Devdas: “You talk such things and try to defend that which
cannot be defended. This is full of stupidity...”
‘I [Mahadevbhai] said: “You [Gandhiji] call this fast
definite/unalterable then how will anyone discuss the matter with you? To tell
you the truth would anyone discuss with you to waste time? You consider all
others stupid and take a decision and say “ Take it, this is unchangeable.”
‘Bapu: “Mahadev..., why do you not understand that this is
not the meaning of unalterable/unchangeable? ...If anyone can show that this fast is not
appropriate then I will give up its thought.”
‘I [Mahadevbhai]: “Why are you lying? You have already sent
the telegram to the Government in the morning [regarding fast].”
‘Bapu: “Haven’t I changed such decisions?”
‘I [Mahadevbhai]: “Have you ever changed the decision of
fasting?”
‘Bapu: “No. But that is because no one has been able to show
that the fast is not correct!”...
‘I [Mahadevbhai]: “You [Gandhiji] say that you should be
shown your mistake. You yourself by inflicting such sufferings want to make the
world aware of its mistakes and alert the world, how do we inflict such suffering on you and make
you understand that you are making a mistake?”
‘Bapu: “That you should know. You have to discover it in some
way...”
‘Devdas: “You come to the same conclusion. You have decided
to undertake a fast so you find reasons...for the same.”...
‘I [Mahadevbhai]: “...So can it be said that the issue of the ashram is contributing to this or not?”
‘Bapu: “It can be said.”
‘Devdas: “And yet you say that you have not involved the
ashram in this. The ashram is as pure now as never before. Why are you blaming
the ashram? You have mixed up so many things and have spoiled this. I had liked
your previous fast...but you have mixed up so many things in this that it is
not clear to anyone. What is the decisive reason for this fast?”
‘Bapu: “Not one [single reason]. But I may be able to say that the Tofan [I have not been able to find the exact translation for this word. Those that have been suggested in the dictionary are - mischief or tumult]
that Ambedkar is indulging in is one. Can I undertake [a fast] against Ambedkar? How do
I explain to the poor Harijans? I have not considered the ashram impure...but
to consider the ashram safe is one thing and to get the work of Harijans done
through the ashram altogether another...”
‘Devdas: “You want to sacrifice the ashram in the struggle,
and also sacrifice it in the work of Harijans, why are you talking such dual things...today
when people are shouting that the Yerwada pact has been done through the use
of force, at such a time what is the meaning of showing yet another fast to the
people?” ...
‘Bapu: “...Yesterday Sarda had come. Poor soul talked with
kindness that our people do not understand that the Hindu religion will be
protected by the untouchables. When there were riots in Ajmer, they were the
ones who saved the Hindus. So not because removal of untouchability is our duty
but because they are of use to us at such times ... though it is in my plan to
tell thousands to fast, I am not saying so because I am arrogant and believe
that no one is as worthy as I...”
... ‘Devdas: “You have unknowingly been guided towards a wrong
path and are guiding others too [on a wrong path]. Do you want to take the world
along with you or want to sit in the heaven all alone? ...You are impatient. You
say often that what is one generation before the infinity? And yet you want to
do everything at one go...”
End
