Mahatma Gandhi and Fasts- Part-1

Mahatma Gandhi is known across the world for the many fasts he undertook as part of the non-violent struggle he espoused. However what is not much known is that many of his close aides/followers/coworkers were not always in favor of Gandhiji undertaking such fasts and often disapproved of the same strongly. I bring here instances where those close to Gandhiji have voiced their disapproval of his fasts as recorded in Mahadevbhai Desai’s diaries. These differences are important to revisit today as many of the contemporary people’s movements/struggles have fasts as one of their primary strategies. 

 Since Gandhiji’s fasts' occupy a significant place in India’s struggle for freedom, I plan to bring out few more interesting aspects on the subject in subsequent posts.  (Translation from Gujarati by me).

[A conversation between Gandhiji, Vallabhbhai Patel and Mahadevbhai Desai concerning Gandhiji’s fast in Yerwada jail, Pune, as recorded in Mahadevbhai’s diary.]:

Volume- 1 (Year 1932):  ‘After general talks...Bapu [Gandhiji] said: “You [Mahadevbhai] have come at a right time. Vallabhbhai’s brain has gone numb. He is not able to comprehend at all...”

 ‘Vallabhbhai said: “let him at least eat first.” 

[Mahadevbhai]:‘Vallabhbhai placed food for me. After I finished eating, Bapu started talking. Instead of talking he gave me to read Samuel Hoare’s letter.  I read it. I was asked: “What do you feel?”

‘I [Mahadevbhai] said: “I find the whole argument pure. Regarding the policy of repression I have always felt that Bapu’s [Gandhiji’s] anger may take such a turn some day. What objection does Vallabhbhai have to this [fast]?”

[Gandhiji]:“...Vallabhbhai’s difficulty is that he feels this [fast] will convey a wrong meaning. They will say that Gandhi is such type of a person only, he [Gandhiji] has gone mad, let him indulge into madness. People/subjects also will be shocked and there is a great fear that such fasts will be falsely imitated...”

‘I [Mahadevbhai] said: “World will understand a fast against repression but this one, concerning untouchables, may not be understood...British will try and explain to the world that the demand of all untouchables or majority of the untouchables was for a separate electorate. I would ask that you [Gandhiji] explain more clearly that by giving a separate electorate to the untouchables, the subjects /people are being dangerously divided... some will ask that is this sin [of demanding separate electorate] far greater than the sins committed by Hindu community that a fast had to be undertaken against it [the demand]?...”

‘Bapu said: “The society is being made to wash off the sins of the Hindu society. But this action is like making the sin permanent...there would be no other impact [of separate electorate] but internal division in the country- between Hindu touchable(s) and untouchables and between Hindus and Muslims.”

‘Vallabhbhai said: “I am still saying no to it [fast], but now you do as you think what is right.”

[Vallabhbhai on Gandhiji’s fast on another occasion]: 

Volume -2 [Year 1932]: ‘At night Vallabhbhai was very angry. He told Bapu: “You must give a notice of fast. Four day’s notice will not do. You will do injustice to both the people and the Government. We will not be able to defend you before others. People will say yet another fast was started after completing one fast. He [Gandhiji] alone will understand the letter he has [Gandhiji] written. How is the Government going to understand your philosophy of non cooperation? ...”

[Vallabhbhai on Gandhiji’s fast on yet another occasion while Appa Patwardhan was fasting]

Volume -3 [Year 1933]: ‘I [Mahadevbhai] said: “This time it is the question of falsehood and cheating. Till now he involved you in this episode, sought your opinion. And now you are not even being informed-this is not tolerable. If for the first time while fighting for Appa, fast was necessary, then this time fast is absolutely necessary. And this time we are not aware if Appa is fasting fully or partially."

‘Bapu said: “It is true. Let us give notice of fast.”

‘Vallabhbhai was very angry: “You give notice of fast at the last moment and that has no meaning. Thousands of people are languishing in jail, and by fasting over one single episode concerning Appa, and turning fasts [into something] cheap, [fasts] will have no [cease to have any] impact either on the people or the Government...”

[C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) also differed with Gandhiji undertaking fasts. This episode is concerning Gandhiji's  fast and opening up of temple for the Harijans]:

Volume -2 [Year 1932]: ‘Rajaji: “That people are in favor of opening up the temple is clear from the counting of the votes. But we want to do all this legally and peacefully...There will be struggles all over the country, ...but since you continue to hang the threat of fast over our heads; how can we do all this other work?...I would like to assert that right now, it is not the question of postponing the fast at all. [But] You [Gandhiji] should give up the idea of fasting itself...”...

‘Bapu: “...The fast was so that people work to open up the temple [for Harijans]...I am like a powerhouse, people get strength from it...”

‘Rajaji:  “I understand that. All that needs to be done is being done. There is no need to fast so that people work to get permission [to open the temple]... [Your] fast is not to get permission. Therefore I say that you stop speaking about it [fast]...”

‘Bapu: “But so long as my vow does not end, how can I stop talking about fast? As soon as Guruvayur temple opens [for Harijans], the fast will immediately go off.”

‘Rajaji: “Once permission is received, law is passed, Guruvayur temple should be considered as opened.”

‘Bapu: “But I am fasting before the people, where am I fasting before the members of legislature?”

‘Rajaji: “Your vow is concerning the Guruvayur temple and so your vow ends as soon as the permission is received...but I must say that with the talk of fast, instead of good will, a lot of unpleasantness has spread... the way in which we are being put to test is nothing compared to the sorrows during civil disobedience... there is a limit to fasts in order to awaken the conscience of the people. You have turned fasts into common/insignificant thing...no one liked your fast undertaken for Appa...you [Gandhiji] have lit the spark, now give it time. Otherwise by talking in such incomprehensible/mystic manner [in support of fast] there will not be any end [to the discussion].”...

...[Mahadevbhai]: 'Today once again he [Rajaji] was arguing with Bapu to leave the thought of fast. He was seeking a promise [from Bapu] to not undertake a fast for a long time.' ...

'Bapu said jokingly: "What if I do not [fast] for three years!" Bapu was treating it like a game/ treating it in jest. And Rajaji continued to remain in doubt...while leaving he [Rajaji] said: "tell Bapu we will take no notice of his fast, if he does so again without consulting us."...

...[Mahadevbhai]: 'This Rajaji! In spite of having strong opposition to fast, he can give a speech on the grandeur and unseen-unusual results of fast!' 

 [Rajaji and others differed on yet another occasion with Gandhiji’s decision to fast on the issue of untouchability]:

 Volume -3: [Year 1933][Mahadevbhai]: 'Yesterday evening a telegram from Dr. Ansari was received: “I [Dr. Ansari] am not in a position to give permission to this fast...”

[Mahadevbhai]: ‘Conversation with Rajaji:  

‘Bapu: “The science of law has accepted suicide...”

‘Rajaji: “But Hindu religion does not permit suicide.”...

‘Bapu: “What if I fast for a few days? What if I do not die at the end of this fast? ...I want to serve the Harijans in the best possible manner. If untouchability is to be abolished, then the hearts’ of sixteen crore people should be influenced.”

‘Rajaji: “To save one self from ghosts there is a superstitious belief of touching wood and in this, God is also involved. But there is a limit to such incomprehensible/mystic/beyond the senses talks. ..”

‘Bapu: “I am not ashamed of mystic element. You are trying to say that to believe in the mystic is harmful.”

‘Rajaji: “Yes, if it results into death.”

‘Bapu: “...For the sake of an argument I may say that self destructive fasts are wrong, I accept this reason of yours. But all fasts are not like that. Your argument is that there is no benefit from self repression/oppression.”

‘Rajaji: “It could be possible”

‘Bapu: “As per medical science?”

‘Rajaji: “No, it can also be mental.”

‘Bapu: “In that case you are defeated. If that is so, it [decision] should be left to the person who is fasting. I have not undertaken this fast willingly. I have received orders [from God].”

‘Rajaji: “Okay. Can your friends advise you on this?”

‘Bapu: “Sure.”

‘Rajaji:  “If there is an eighty percent possibility of death then this is a gamble. You [Gandhiji] will say it is a good gamble. I feel that by being in jail, for the repetition of the same topic in the mind, you have lost your... intelligence... you are experimenting with death; you have been misguided. Will you show a single person who has liked this step [ fast] of yours?”

‘Bapu: “Dunkan, Andrews.”

‘Rajaji: “What value should be put to their opinion? My opinion is far superior to theirs...I say you become more alert. It is possible to get inspiration from God sometimes but it is not possible to get it always.”

‘Bapu: “So you accept the possibility of inspiration from God. Once you accept that, it means you have lost your case.”

‘Rajaji: “But in this case the inspiration may be false too. To close down one's brain is a sign of impatience...All I wish is that you understand that you too may be making a mistake sometimes. In this case I feel that you understand at least that much.”

‘Bapu: “But how can I accept my fault without knowing the result? I have taken the decision of this fast by going against my wish... how my mind is working will be shown [to you] from my letters by Mahadev.’

‘Rajaji: “You are suppressing the thoughts.”

[Mahadevbhai]: ‘Then Bapu explained how he came to a decision and said: “If I accept your argument then I will have to stop working.”

‘Rajaji: “But there cannot be any inspiration against the mind”...

[Mahadevbhai]:...Once again with Rajaji: 

[Bapu]... “It is good luck of the poor that he [God] resides in the heart and I am fasting in order to discover the heart...”

Mahadevbhai: ‘Then [Bapu] fought a lot with Rajaji, got angry, sparks flew and in exasperation and fury [Bapu] spoke: “You [Rajaji] must respect my conviction. You are asking me to leave my conviction...Am I not the sailor of my own boat? ..."

[Many other freedom fighters close to Gandhiji like Kaka Kalelker, Gandhiji’s son Devdas, etc also differed with Gandhiji undertaking fasts and often strongly. This shall be covered in the next post]

Mahatma Gandhi and World War-1

In my post titled- ‘Mahatma Gandhi in Defense of Violence’, I had given details of an appeal by Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest pacifists the world has known, asking people to join the army for World War 1 (WW-1).  In my subsequent post titled ‘Forgotten stories of Indian soldiers in WW-1,’ I had brought to the notice of the readers that Gandhiji had not received much response to his appeal as per Mahadevbhai Desai’s diary and that this issue has not been covered much in the fifteen volumes of Mahadevbhai’s diaries that I have read so far. 

I am sure that readers will be curious as much as I, to know the outcome of the appeal to the people to join the army by Gandhiji. The following excerpts from the autobiography of Shri. Indulal Yagnik throws some light on the subject. Around the time of the war, the Kheda satyagraha was lead by Gandhiji. It was from this area, active in Kheda satyagraha that Gandhiji expected people to join the army in large numbers for WW-1.  

Excerpts from Shri Indulal Yagnik’s autobiography Part-2, translated from Gujarati by me.

Pages-122-135: “On 6^th June, soon after declaring the settlement of Kheda Satyagraha, Gandhiji immediately left on the 10^th to attend the regional war (WW-1) convention in Mumbai. As per the instruction given to the Viceroy by Gandhiji in the Delhi convention, Lokmanya Tilak and his co-worker Kelkar were also invited in this convention. Therefore to see the happenings in this convention, I too had gone to Mumbai.

“From the explanations received before the convention by Gandhiji and Kelkar from Governor Willingdon, it was clear that the kind of sportsmanship shown in Delhi will not be shown here; no advise from a senior member representing the people will be taken on the framing of the resolution. People will have the freedom only to speak on it. With all such news, Gandhiji was suggested to speak on one of the resolutions in the convention by the Government. In order to think on the subject, a memorable private meeting was held in Mumbai at Jamnadas Dwarkadas’s office. 

“In this (meeting) along with Jamnadas, Tilak, Kelkar, Horniman, other leading people of Mumbai were present. Tilak presented his strategy in clear words. He said that in order to take the support of people in the war (WW-1), he will recommend giving of self-rule in a humble way. And if he will be stopped from doing this he would quarrel and boycott the meeting. This created a dilemma for Gandhiji. He should also not cooperate with the Government, he should also go to the convention and raise objection against the autocratic policy of the Governor, he should also follow Tilak and boycott the convention- and many such arguments and instructions were placed before him...After listening-thinking on everything he declared his decision: “I should not do anything in the meeting and that itself is equivalent to doing everything.”...

“...Things turned much worse than expected in the convention. The Governor deviated from the main topic and declared that he does not have any faith in the support declared by the members of the organization named home rule league; the conduct of many is a hindrance in the work of the war (WW-1); and their recent speeches have had the same impact on me...In this way the Governor insulted the members of the league...Lokmanya Tilak got up to discuss the first resolution and  soon after declaring his allegiance to the Shensha (King) in the first two sentences, when he indicated Swaraj (self-rule) in the third sentence, the Governor immediately informed that he will not allow any political discussions! ...Lokmanya Tilak tried to speak again and when he failed, like a leader with self respect...he left the convention quietly...after which Kelkar....Shri Jamnadas Dwarkadas ...Mr Horniman...also left the convention...

“On 16^th in order to oppose the Governor’s such highhanded behavior a huge gathering of people assembled in the city...strong objection was raised against the Governor for having doubted the honesty of the members of the home rule league to help the empire and for having insulted them publicly. Moreover another resolution was passed that “Till the Hind Government’s current politics... does not change, till then the leaders will find it difficult to get full support from the people for the war (WW-1)."

“Due to this incident in Mumbai my mind was confused. Previous month, during the Kheda struggle...in midst of critical war (WW-1) in order to help the British empire, resolution for recruitment drive for the army was placed before the Gujarat Sabha by Gandhiji and was made to pass...but in Mumbai the insult by... of the league and eminent people like Tilak turned my mind sour...for political workers like us, the step of recruitment for the army felt totally inappropriate and impractical...but on returning to Nadiad when I met Gandhiji, he explained to me that if the work of recruitment (for WW-1) is correct in principle then we should not get deviated from the correct path at all due to some Governor’s inappropriate words or actions. Immediately due to our reverence for Gandhiji, all of us curbed our doubts and changed our minds and accepted this advice. In this way he won over the hearts of all colleagues and on 22^nd Gandhiji brought out the first leaflet on this subject and started this new activity (of army recruitment for WW-1)...

“...By declaring such thoughts (in the leaflet), he  expressed the hope of recruiting 12,000 people out of the total population of seven lakh people in Kheda district... he pressed upon the men and women of Kheda to elect able bodied people from the villages and send their names (for army recruitment)...

“... Due to the absence of many colleagues, I completed the urgent work of Navjevan and in the month of July came to Nadiad and as per the advice of Gandhiji got active in the difficult work of (army) recruitment.

“Gandhiji and the camp remained the same. But the strength of our workers reduced a lot. Earlier the crowds of farmers and visitors that remained in the camp had reduced a lot. No invitation came at all from the villages or to hold a public meeting. The interest of those who had enrolled for recruitment also went down. The camp was deserted: The commander in chief (Gandhiji) remained at his place but those heroes and soldiers who obeyed his rule had disappeared. 

“Under such circumstances, Gandhiji’s sight rested on the true satyagraha center Navagam. In the end the farmers of this place had gone to jail with Mohanlal happily and when they were released, a huge public meeting was held there itself. Therefore resting faith on that village, packing golpapdi (wheat, ghee and sugar cake) for food, on the morning of 8^th July, along with Mahadevbhai we walked ten miles from Barejdi to that historic village. Out of modesty, old colleagues came to meet and they discussed a lot. But no public meeting took place and Gandhiji for having got a lot of free time, wrote many letters and had to return to Nadiad after walking up to Barejdi again...

“...Tilak, Besant and such eminent people adopted some kind of dual policy and all the prominent people of the Naram (soft) as well as Garam (militant) groups remained aloof from Gandhiji’s activity of army recruitment and so he developed loathing in his heart. He remained detached from the Congress and with concentration and full faith continued to play the tune of army recruitment.

“On July 22, when a month had passed since the time of taking up the work of (army) recruitment, a second leaflet was published by him on the subject. In it ... once again resting older political doubts, in order to get self-rule quickly, all able bodied men were requested to enroll in the army. But the extent of its failure can be brought to light from the new experience at Navagam itself. Once again Gandhiji went to that village with Mahadevbhai and Vallabhbhai. Now even the earlier interest among the people did not remain.  A big person like Gandhiji would sit in the guest house the whole day and write letters.  But except for some faithful people like Himabhai and few others, hardly anyone would go to meet them. Himabhai would get material from the village and Vallabhbhai would cook and all three would sit together and eat. This went on for three four days. Farmers who had gone all out to fight against the Government did not like at all to march in their support. At last Gandhiji had to leave this village empty handed...

“...While Gandhiji was engaged in such tough work of recruitment, he got severe stomach pain on 17^th August. He suffered from a long illness...one day he seemed critical...he was taken to Ahmedabad in the Mirzapur bungalow Shantisadan of Ambalal Sarabhai...there he stayed for a few days while being nursed by Ansuyaben after which he returned to the Ashram...

“...This is how the recruitment battle (for army) got over prematurely.  Nadiad’s camp got wound up unceremoniously. After having got a tremendous victory in the district over the issue of Mehsool, the Mahatma gave a new message to the people from the top of the same (victory) wave. But not a leaf turned as a result. The reason for this has been explained by him itself in an implied way. In the public meeting at Mumbai, Gandhiji had said the truth that this battle was not run by him or Mohanlal Pandya but by the farmer of Kheda. In the last gathering Vallabhbhai had honored the farmer as the main worker and winner of the struggle. That farmer was livid at the age old atrocities of the Government and so he was ready to fight himself...but for having been influenced by historical circumstances, the same farmer was not moved at all when he got the order to march in the opposite direction of (army) recruitment. By politely refusing their favorite saintly man Gandhiji, they proved their true fortitude...

End.

Participation of Princely States from India in the World War-1

The following news item in the Times of India that “Indians in South Australia barred from Anzac Day Parade” drew my attention today morning: 

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indians-in-South-Australia-barred-from-Anzac-Day-parade/articleshow/41962403.cms

This is not surprising because not many know of the participation of Indians/India in the World War -1. In my earlier blog post (below), I had drawn the attention to the fact that not much information about the participation of India and its people in WW-1 is available in some of the popular books of history. 

 http://nandinikoza.blogspot.in/search/label/World%20War%20-1

 World War -1 began exactly a century ago in 1914 and martyrs are being remembered the World over. Indian soldiers fought bravely in the war. Thousands were killed and wounded:

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-century-on-World-War-I-martyrs-to-be-remembered/articleshow/39192887.cms

Here, I bring to the fore the participation of some of the Princely States in the WW-1 from Saurashtra (Gujarat). The information is taken from the book: Saurashtra No Itihas, by S.V.Jani, published by Darshak Itihas Nidhi [originally in Gujarati] and photos are from Wikimedia commons.

Page- 185: “…The 1^st World War (1914-18)…The State of Bhavnagar had sent its team of soldiers under the leadership of Col. Jorawarsingh Gohil for the service of the British power. The British Government had praised the service of the indigenous soldiers and their bravery as well as courage. Moreover British Government was helped by (Bhavnagar) by purchasing war bonds…”

Nilambag Palace, Bhavnagar.

 

Page-202: “…Ranjitsinh [Navanagar-Jamnagar] himself went to the western frontier and gave his service in the 9^th Hind regiment of horses under Gen. Kukson. Later he was the A.D.C. of Commander in Chief Field Marshal Lord French. His three nephews, Lieutenant Kumar Savaji Sinhji in the battle of Africa, Lieutenant Kumar Dajirajji who participated in the battle of France died; and Lieutenant Himmatsinhji had worked at the forefront in Mesopotamia. Navanagar State’s … team had gone to the borders of Karachi and later Afghanistan. At the encouragement of the His Highness, the subjects of Navanagar State had invested Rs 26 lakhs in the war loan…”

Page-219: “…In the period 1914-18, during the 1^st World War, Lakajiraj [Rajkot State] helped the British Government with people and money. The amount of help was Rs 1, 64,312. The State had purchased war bonds of Rs 53,850 also…”

Page-244: “…In the 1^st World War, the State [Morbi] had helped the British Government with both people and money…”

Page-256: “…In the 1^st World War, the State (Dhrangadhra) had helped the British Government in different ways. The State had invested Rs 9.75 lakhs in the war loan. The State and the people had made a contribution of Rs 3.83 lakhs to the war…”

Page-283: “…Not only had the State (Wankaner) given monetary help to the British Government during World War -1 and invested money in war loan; but his Highness Amarsinghji himself had given his service for eight months in the Kathiawar [Saurashtra] Motor Ambulance Corps in France between 1915-16…”

Wankaner Palace, Wankaner.

End.