Gandhi's fast for India's unity

Gandhi started his fast on September 20, 1932. The first day of the fast was observed all over India as day of prayer and fasting. Many temples were opened to untouchables and meetings were held all over India urging the removal of untouchability.

Outside the jail political activity boiled. Leaders of caste Hindus and untouchables met and discussed various measures to arrive at a compromise that would satisfy Gandhi. Proposals and counter-proposals were made and rejected. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the most powerful leader of the untouchables, met Gandhi and assured him that he would try his best to find a solution.

On the third day of his fast, Gandhi’s condition became bad. He grew very weak and he had to be carried to the bathroom on a stretcher. His blood pressure started rising. The authorities panicked and sent for his wife. They also allowed all his friends and followers to be with him.

The Indian people felt desperate. Gandhi might die and leave them leaderless. The other political leaders had failed, for they were unable to find a solution which would enable Gandhi to break his fast.

But on the fifth day of the fast caste Hindu and untouchable leaders finally reached an agreement and signed a pact that would do away with separate electorates. Gandhi, however, would not accept this unless it had been ratified by the British.

The news came that the British had approved of the pact; but still Gandhi would not break his fast until he saw the text of the approval.

One day, Tagore paid him a visit. The poet was so moved by Gandhi’s condition that he put his head on Gandhi’s chest and wept. The text of the British approval came. Gandhi accepted it and the epic fast was at last over.

Gandhi was released from prison in 1933. Shortly afterwards he suspended the mass civil disobedience movement, but sanctioned individual civil resistance to the government’s brutal policy.

For the next seven years. Gandhi worked hard for the social and spiritual progress of his people. Many leaders, including Nehru, did not approve of Gandhi’s policy.

“But, “Nehru said, “how can I even think of advising a magician?” the ‘magician’ continued to win Nehru’s unstinted devotion.

Sabarmati Ashram had been seized by the government during the Salt Satyagraha, so Gandhi now established a little retreat at Sevagram near Wardha in Maharashtra. This became his headquarters.

New reforms sponsored by the government got little support from the people of Indian. However, many people, including Congressmen, wanted to try them out as a means of furthering the cause of Swaraj.