Dear All,

Gandhiji was arrested on 5th May. However, several thousand volunteers went ahead with their leader's plan to rebel through Ahimsa (non-violence) by taking hold of the salt depots at Dharasana. In spite of the absence of their leader the volunteers stuck to ahimsa. Not one of them lifted a single finger even when thrashed by the police officers. A ditch had been dug and barbed wire barriers constructed around the depot which was to be taken over by the Satyagrahis. The order of the Police officers for volunteers to disperse fell on deaf ears. As they advanced towards the depot in an orderly fashion several policemen attacked them with lathis (sticks). But not one of them lifted his arm to repel the blows that struck them. Webb Miller, an American correspondent, a witness to the scene, wrote: "In eighteen years of reporting in twenty two countries I have never witnessed such harrowing scenes as at Dharasana. Sometimes the scenes were so painful that I had to turn away momentarily. One surprising feature was the discipline of the volunteers. It seemed they were thoroughly imbued with Gandhi’s non-violent creed."

Satyagraha movement was extended to forest laws, non-payment of taxes and boycott of foreign cloth, etc. It was felt that Swadeshi movement (producing their own cloth) would deal an economic blow on the British. The Government countered by issuing extraordinary powers to concerned authorities to arrest and prosecute the Satyagrahis. Gandhiji was at the same time sympathetic towards and concerned about the textile workers in England whose lives would be affected due to the boycott of foreign cloth in India. He visited textile mills in Lancashire during his visit to London in 1931.

The famous Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed in March 1931 and the Government
agreed to release the prisoners on the condition that civil disobedience movement was suspended. Also under this Pact, Gandhiji was invited to London to participate in the Round Table Conference.

He was the sole representative of the Indian National Congress but the Conference was a disappointment to Gandhi and the Indians. Lord Willingdon who succeeded Lord Irwin tried to curb Nationalist movement with an iron hand. He arrested Gandhiji and tried to isolate him from his followers but failed.

In 1939 World War II broke out. India was included in the war by the British without consultation with the people’s representatives. This angered the Congress leaders and Gandhiji declared that India would not support while her own freedom was being denied to her. It was at this time that Quit India movement aiming at British exit from India began.

The most dynamic movement in the history of India's struggle for freedom, it resulted in mass arrests. Police firing injured and killed thousands of Satyagrahis. Support to war was refused unless India was granted freedom and Gandhiji condemned the disorder that was deliberately brought about by the Government. He asked the people to exercise Ahimsa and 'do or die' in the cause of Indian independence. Gandhiji and the entire CWC were arrested on 9th August 1942. Gandhiji was kept in Aga Khan Palace, Pune for two years. It was at this time that Gandhiji's long time Secretary, the fifty-year old Mahadev Desai died. Kasturba, Gandhiji’s life partner who shared all the trials and tribulations of public and private life with him, also died on 22nd February 1944, after 18 months of imprisonment.

The two deaths were irreparable loss to Gandhiji. Soon after, Gandhiji was released as he suffered from malaria attack and the Government did not desire his death in prison which would enrage Indians.

At the end of World War II there was clear indication from the British that India would be given freedom. Gandhiji called off the movement and freedom fighters who had been imprisoned were released. The transfer of power from the British to the Indian people came about on 15th August 1947.

The year 1947 saw thousands of people displaced from their homes as India was divided and a separate country, Pakistan, was formed. The Hindus in the Pakistan area moved to India and vice versa. There were riots all over the country and the forlorn Gandhiji went on fast to bring about unity amidst people.


!!! Will Continue !!!

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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