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\author{Manubehn Gandhi}
\title{The Miracle of Calcutta}

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The Miracle\\
\fontsize{36pt}{72pt}\selectfont
of\\
\fontsize{48pt}{72pt}\selectfont
Calcutta

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Manubehn Gandhi
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\begin{center}
\large{Printed and published\\
by Jivanji Dahyabhai Desai\\
Navajivan Publishing House\\
Ahmedabad 380014\\
India\\
(July 1959)}

\vspace{5ex}
\copyright{} Navajivan Trust, 1959

\vspace{5ex}
\large{Translated from the original in Gujarati\\
by Gopalrao Kulkarni}

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\par \large{Published by Yann FORGET\\%[2ex]
on \today, with \LaTeXe{}.}
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\tableofcontents

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}Publisher's note]{Publisher's note}

\par In December 1946 Manubehn joined Gandhiji and lived with him till the end
of his life. How very crucial these days were in the life of the Nation and of
Gandhiji, needs no description. Often, during these days, Manubehn was his only
companion. She used to keep a daily record of this period. As a part of her
education, Gandhiji had asked her to do it, and would look through it every
day. Undoubtedly therefore, this diary is a rare and most authentic record of
Gandhiji's daily routine, his activities and of his inner struggles. Portions
of the diary have already appeared in a few periodicals. Our publication, Bapu,
My Mother* also covers some incidents.

\par From Noakhali Gandhiji went to Kashmir. From there he wanted to go back
straight to Noakhali. This return journey begins from 1st August 1947, where
from this book also begins.

\par On reaching Calcutta, Gandhiji found that the city was in the grip of
communal frenzy. Murder, arson and loot were the order of the day. He
therefore, postponed his going to Noakhali. And in a couple of days only, thank
God, he could restore peace in the city. On the 15th August, the 1st day of our
Independence, there were mixed processions of Hindus and Muslims and scenes of
the fraternization could be seen throughout the city. But this proved to be a
nine day's wonder only. For there was fresh outbreak of violence and on a
larger scale. Gandhiji, then, in obedience to the call within, resorted to fast
--- his supreme and unfailing weapon. In the words of Shri Pyarelal, ``Then the
miracle happened. As the leaden hours crept by and slowly life ebbed out of the
frail little man on the fasting bed, it caused a deep heart-churning in all
concerned, bringing the hidden life to the surface. People came and confessed
to him what they would have confided to no mortal ear. Hindus and Muslims
combined in an all-out effort to save the precious life that was being offered
as ransom for disrupted peace against brother and brother. Mixed processions
consisting of all communities paraded through the affected parts of the city to
restore communal harmony.'' The reader will find all this description in the
course of these pages.

\par While his efforts to bring peace in the city were still continuing,
disturbing news from Punjab were daily pouring in. Large-scale rioting had
broken out in the State with no signs of abating. He therefore decided to go to
Punjab. He left Calcutta on 7th September, reached Delhi, but could not proceed
further as Delhi itself was affected by serious riots. His post-prayer speeches
in Delhi from 10-9-1947 to 30-1-1948 have been collected in a separate book
entitled Delhi Diary.\footnote{} That the future of India and Pakistan rests on communal
harmony and goodwill is as clear as daylight. The inspiring life-story of
Gandhiji as narrated herein by Manubehn as her diary (from 1-8-1947 to 7-9-1947)
certainly shows the way towards that end.

\begin{flushright}
20-7-1959
\end{flushright}

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\chapter[\hspace{2ex}Trip to Kashmir]{Trip to Kashmir}

\begin{flushright}
Friday, 1-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Attended prayers at 3.45 a.m. Bapu did some writing after
prayers. Left Ravalpindi for Shrinagar by car at 5.15 a.m. The whole
road was banked by green grass; there was no trace of heat anywhere.
Bapu's car was passing through a canopy of lofty trees. This was his
first visit to Kashmir. The road was like a running spiral and the
driver had to drive very cautiously. It was now an upward slope and
the next moment it was a steep descent! As the car passed through
towering trees and shrubs, they extended him their welcome by the
music of their rustling leaves. At 12 noon we halted for a short
while at a village named Rampur. Bapu took a bath and ate some
fruit. We too took our meals. We left Rampur at 1 p.m.

\par The road from Rampur to Shrinagar is beautiful. Our car ascended
the hills and again descended. Bapuji too, setting aside his reading
and writing, began to observe the beauty of nature. Whole villages
were out to obtain Bapu's darshan. Our car was stopped at several
places. One could ill afford to look down at the deep valley below
for fear of being overcome by faintness. At the bottom, were spread
carpets of green grass, where cows grazed at leisure. The beautiful
women of Kashmir, accompanied by their handsome children, were
working in the fields. We envied their lot when we saw them from our
car. Their huts too were surrounded by the green
exuberance. We have to spend thousands to get the satisfaction of
spreading artificial carpets in our rooms, but the real beauty of
nature can be seen only in Kashmir. The clouds too were travelling
at full speed --- as if with the desire of overtaking Bapu. Having
travelled through this charming scenery we finally arrived at the
outskirts of Shrinagar. There was a big crowd of people shouting
slogans of ``Long live Sheikh Abdullah'' and ``Long live Gandhiji''. In
Kashmir Muslims are in majority, but a stranger cannot distinguish
who among them are Hindus and who Muslims. There were a few with
black flag shouting ``Long live Pakistan'', but their voices were
drowned in the great uproar of the people.

\par Begum Abdullah joined us when we were three miles away from the
city, and took her seat in Bapu's car. Since her husband was in jail
she managed all his affairs. The Begum is an educated and a loving
woman. Bapu talked to her about Abha's and my sickness. He said to
her, ``Take charge of these two foolish girls and send them back
cured. I have brought them to entrust them to your care.'' The Begum
treated us like her own daughters and showered on us a mother's
love.

\par At Shrinagar we stayed at Shri Kishorlal Shetti's place. The
house was so situated that people could have easy access to it from
all sides. Therefore, not only was Bapu harassed due to constant
flow of masses, but also the large garden of the bungalow was ruined.
Though the house was a big one with a vast compound, yet it was too
small to accommodate the visitors. Moreover, Bapu was already tired
after a full day's journey.

\par The Begum took Bapu out for a night drive with
the intention of providing him some peace. The entire city was
illuminated to celebrate the joining of Gilgit to Kashmir state. We
saw the famous temple of Shankaracharya which was situated on a
hill. The temple being on the top of the hill, the auspicious lamp
of ghee with its twinkling flame presented an attractive sight on
that dark night.

\par We returned home at 10 p.m. Bapu could do very little writing
and reading today. He could not meet many people either. Nor could I
write down the names of his visitors. Throughout the day, Bapu took
fruits only.

\begin{flushright}
Saturday, 2-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Woke up at 3.30 a.m. ; washed and cleaned my mouth, and then
attended prayers, Bapu sat down to write, but visitors began to
flock in. We persuaded them to go back and return in the evening for
prayers. Bapuji did not go out for his usual walk, but strolled
within the compound instead. We were with him. He said to Abhabahen
and me, ``I would very much like you to stay here. I shall ask
Sushila also to stay.'' We replied, ``No, Bapuji. We do not want to
stay. We shall go with you.'' Abhabahen was not further pressed to
stay, but the doctors, even more than Bapu himself, brought great
pressure to bear on me. I was much disturbed. But the constant
influx of visitors did not give me chance to have a talk with Bapu.
When, at night, he enquired about my health, I replied, ``There is no
real temperature. But the doctors would certainly raise my
temperature by insisting on my staying here. But I am not going to
leave you. Have you not promised me never to keep me away from you?
Why do you not tell the
doctors so? You told me that I could do whatever I chose, but at the
same time you ask the doctors to persuade me to stay.'' Bapuji
laughed at this expression of resentment and added that he was just
testing me . He finally declared, ``I shall do nothing against the
wishes of the girls. I am strict with them when occasion demands.
But I do not wish to be strict in this matter.''

\par We had a good round talk during the walk. Then Bapu had a
message and bath. Pandit Kak came to meet him at 9 a.m. and was with
him for about an hour.

\par Bapu's chief diet was fruit. The babugosha, a speciality of
Kashmir, resembles the guava; it is very sweet and soft. Even the
apples are unusually large and red. There is an abundance of
apricots, almonds and pista which we could pick fresh from the
garden. Bapu said, ``Only fools would cook in this place, and harm
their health and waste their time by adding condiments to dal and
vegetables.'' He asked us to go round Shrinagar and added, ``I have
taken you to a number of cities, but I have never asked you to go
sight-seeing in any of them. But it would be wrong on my part if I
do not suggest that you see Shrinagar. I cannot go. But you must see
this beautiful town.''

\par So Abhabahen and I went to see Shrinagar escorted by Khansaheb's
son Valibhai. We saw not only the beauties of nature but also the
lovely arts and crafts produced by the industrious Kashmiris. Nobody
is idle; not even children. They are always at some work or other.
Some keep silkworms, while others us.'' their craftsmanship to produce
boxes, dishes, tables, chairs and other pieces of woodwork.

\par The people of Kashmir are stalwart in body. Their cheeks are red
with an abundance of vigorously coursing blood, and they are ever
smiling and friendly. But this natural beauty has been spoiled by
fashionable visitors who use lipstick, powder and rouge on their
pale unhealthy faces. This artificiality seemed out of place in the
rustic beauty of Kashmir. We were sorry that city folk who visit
Kashmir to enjoy its cool climate spoil her simple people. About
this, Bapuji remarked as follows: ``We have not imitated from the
West their virtues, but having accepted with great zeal undesirable
things from them, as if they were our eternal heritage, we have
spoiled others. This is criminal on our part.''

\par Pandit Kak, workers of the National Conference, members of the
Hindu Navajivan Sangh and members of the Students' Federation
interviewed Bapu today. The gist of the advice he gave them all was;
``Be clean from within as well as from without. Remain pure and lead
a life that would be in harmony with Kashmir's natural beauty. This
will lead you to success.''

\par At 4 p.m. Bapuji went to Shahi Chashma to meet the Rajguru. He
returned at 5 p.m. Today we held a public prayer, as permission for
one which had not been received so far was received today. After
prayers Jawaharlal's mother-in-law and Colonel Chopra came to see
Bapuji. Having spent the whole day in meeting people, Bapu went to
bed at 10 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Shrinagar,\\
Sunday, 3-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Got up at 3.30 a.m. for prayers. Attended prayers after mouth
wash. Bapuji completed his article for
the Harijan. He took eight ounces of fruit juice and then went for a
walk. On his return, he had a bath and got ready to receive Pandit
Kak at 9 a.m. The interview lasted about an hour. Bapuji lay down
for half an hour after his visitor had departed. He did not sleep
but wrote out some matter in a reclining position. At 11 a.m.
workers of the National Conference came for an interview. They
asserted that they wanted to merge with the Indian Union and get
Sheikh Abdullah released. Bapuji told them that God would help them
if they remained firm in their determination. At 12 noon he went to
meet the Maharaja and returned at 1.30 p.m. Put mud-plaster on the
abdomen. Slept for half an hour after a short talk with the Begum
Saheba. At 3 p.m. we went to the office of the National Conference,
but the crowd was so vast that we returned within a few minutes.
Prayers were held at 5 p.m. after which Bapuji went to the ladies'
meeting. He was observing his weekly silence which started every
Sunday evening. The ladies' meeting was so noisy that Bapuji had to
plug his ears with his finger-tips. The ladies contributed five
hundred one rupees to the Harijan fund. We returned from the meeting
at 8 p.m. We took a short walk and went to bed at 9.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Shrinagar,
Monday, 4-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Morning prayers at 3.30 a.m. As we were to leave Shrinagar at 5
a.m. we began to pack up immediately after prayers. People came down
in great numbers to say good-bye to Bapuji. We started exactly at
five. On the way we saw Verinag, the spring from which the river
Jhelum starts. It is beautiful and
magnificent. There is a small temple of Shiva. At Anantnag, Hindus
and Muslims were standing shoulder to shoulder. This sight brought a
smile to Bapu's face. At 12 o'clock we halted at Beejvyara. There
Bapu took a bath and drank some milk. As he had a very bad cold he
rested for a while. At 2 p.m. we started for Jammu.

\par The road from Shrinagar to Jammu is far more beautiful than that
from Ravalpindi to Shrinagar. We came across the Chinab which was
flowing with great speed. Today she was in floods and it seemed that
she was mad with joy to see Bapu's car passing, as if she would
never see the great man again! The road was full of turns and looked
like a running serpent.

\par We reached Jammu at 4.30 p.m., but it took another half an hour
to reach home, as we had to make our way through great mass of
people assembled. Bapuji took his bath and spun in spite of a severe
headache due to cold. We left for prayers at 7 p.m. People pressed
Bapuji to go in a car as the crowd was great. He replied, ``It is
always safe to walk when there are big crowds, and women can give me
better protection. You should make women stand in front lines of
both sides of the road, so that men do not rush at their cordons to
fall at my feet. Ladies have saved me many a time like this. I have
made this experiment before.''

\par Women lined up on both sides and he made his way to the prayer
grounds without much difficulty.

\par Bapuji broke his silence at prayer time. The loud-speaker was
out of order, so there was noise and confusion. Hence, we brought
the prayers to a rapid conclusion with the recital of Ramanama only
and then returned to our Camp.

\par During our walk at 7.30 p.m. Bapuji warned Abhabahen and me that
since we had refused to stay behind in Kashmir to rest and recoup
our health, the responsibility of taking care of our health rested
on our heads. We replied: ``If we prove to be careless in the future,
we shall, of our own accord, ask your permission to withdraw for a
while. But, just now, we are not prepared to stay in Kashmir. When
you are in strife-torn Noakhali how can we think of enjoying
ourselves in Kashmir and benefiting by the climate?''

\par Bapuji went to bed at 10 p.m. It was raining lightly then.

\begin{flushright}
Tuesday, 5-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par After prayers at 3.30 a.m. Bapu did some writing. Workers from
Jammu came for an interview. It was 5 a.m. by this time and we
started for Ravalpindi. We rested awhile at the Surdama guest house.
Bapuji had a severe cold. He drank some milk and we proceeded to the
Wah Camp.

\par There were eight thousand refugees in this camp. Raisaheb
Manmohan Rai was its Commander-in-Charge. There were a number of
destitute women in this camp who had lost their homes, children and
husbands. There were also many orphan children. All were untidy,
unwashed and unhappy. But they forgot their grief of bereavement for
a time when they saw their beloved Bapuji. All of them tried to
relate their tales of horror into his sympathetic ears.

\par There was a small women's hospital in the camp. The pitiable
condition of the patients would have melted even hearts of stone.
One had had bullets extracted from her chest; another had had her
leg
amputated; a third had managed to escape with her day-old child;
some were lying there with festering knife wounds. We could hardly
bear to see the pitiable sight. Bapuji visited every patient's cot.
Though the wounds of many gave out a foul smell yet Bapu approached
each one of them and touching her head with his loving hand said,
``Forget everything, and just keep repeating the name of Rama. That
alone will save you. What can a poor mortal like me do?'' He tried to
console them with these words, and drove away flies from the bodies
of the patients and covered them up properly. Bapuji trembled and
muttered to himself, ``What brutality! Can man become so cruel?''
He spent two hours in this visit.

\par We then visited the class conducted by the Kasturbai Trust.
Sewing, embroidery, spinning, Knitting etc. were taught in this
class. The unhappy women forgot their grief for a time by engaging
themselves in these activities.

\par Having witnessed such misery, I often wondered why women should
be alone subjected to such atrocities. To this, Bapuji usually
replied: ``I have often stated that women are forbearance incarnate.''

\par From there we left for Panjasaheb at 1.30 p.m. This is an
important place of pilgrimage to the Panjabis. We visited the
Gurudwara. It was beautiful and calm.

\par A small meeting was held at the Gurudwara. The Sikhs wanted the
Union to help Panjasaheb. Bapuji replied, ``One Sikh equals thousands
in strength. Why should he seek the aid of others? If you Sikhs are
strong no one can harm the Panjasaheb. But the Sikhs, men as well as
women, have nowadays fallen prey to luxury and merriment --- like
many others. In Gujarat too women have given themselves up to the
pursuit of fashion etc., although to a lesser degree. I do not wish
to defend them. One may drink more wine than another, but we cannot
say that the one who drinks less is free from the vice. So also
regarding the pursuit of amusement and entertainment. Less of
fashion is in no way a virtue. But as long as there are genuine
Sikhs, i.e., true disciples of Guru Nanak, nobody can harm the
community.''

\par From there we went again to the Wah Camp. Some workers came to
meet Bapu before prayers. They said, ``We are afraid that we shall
be attacked on the 15th. Please stay with us till then, or else ask
the Union Government to move us from this place.'' Bapuji replied,
``You must stay here. You will have Dr. Sushila with you. She is a
Panjabi and knows the language. I am sure that she will be the first
to die in your defence, in case there is an attack.'' The people were
very happy with this arrangement. Bapu further continued: ``You want
to be transferred from here before the 15th as you are afraid of
Pakistan. If you are afraid, I would not allow you to leave this
place even though some one arranged to have you all shifted. One
should not be scared of impending danger. Pakistan has not been
formed for killing others. And if she attacks you and destroys your
camp, take it from me that Pakistan would destroy herself as well.
What can she do after driving away all the Sikhs and Hindus? Think
of this, and be not afraid. Even if the Musulmans kill you,
consider it to be death at the hands of your own brothers. We must
trust in God, and hope that He will show you the right path.'' Having
thus addressed them with an
admixture of reprimand and consolation, Bapu took their leave with a
heavy heart. We left Dr. Sushila at the Wah Camp and started for
Ravalpindi.

\par We halted an hour at Ravalpindi. Bapuji took some raisins and
milk and we took our meals. We reached Ravalpindi station at 9 p.m.

\par A few students who belonged to the Hindu Mahasabha were waiting
there. They were shouting slogans such as ``Hindi is the language of
Hind (India), and Hindu is the slogan of Hindus.'' But since nobody
paid any attention to them, they gradually stopped shouting.

\par Our train started for Lahore at 9.35 p.m. We had to keep awake
the whole night, as people disturbed us at every halt.

\par In this way we completed our Kashmir tour.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}From Kashmir to Calcutta]{From Kashmir to Calcutta}

\begin{flushright}
Wednesday, 6-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Said our prayers in the train after a morning wash. After
prayers, Bapuji read for a while, and then slept for some time, We
got down at the Shahadara station at 7 a.m. Mrs. Rameshwari Nehru and
Shri Vrajlal Nehru had come to receive Bapu. We stayed at
Rameshwaribahen's house. She had received news at midnight that
Bapuji was to arrive at Lahore. She cleaned the house overnight in a
great rush.

\par Here, we had a certain degree of peace after a long time. The
house is located in a calm spot, so Bapu could rest properly.

\par Today, he had a good appetite, for the first time,
after a number of days. He took 12 ounces of milk, two chapatis and
some vegetables. No interviews were allowed up to 4 p.m. This made
it possible for him to have a good rest and finish his writing for
the Harijan. His cold also was slightly less today. Bapuji prepared
his report of the tour and wrote important letters to Sardar
Vallabhbhai, Jawaharlalji, Rajendrababu, and Rajkumaribahen.

\par Interviews started at 4 p.m. A full hour was taken by Congress
workers. Bapuji said it was a time of crucial test for them. He
advised them to attain as much purity as possible and to sacrifice
to their utmost.

\par We left Lahore for Patna at 7 p.m. It was very hot and the train
was crowded.

\par When we were going to Kashmir, excited boys had flocked at the
Amritsar station exhibiting black flags and shouting ``Gandhi go
back''. Without doing anything to stop them, he closed his eyes,
plugged his ears with his fingers and remained calm reciting
Ramanama. These very boys had again assembled today at the same
station; but this time with collections for the Harijan Fund. As
soon as our train reached the station they stood up in an orderly
manner, offered their apologies to Bapu and presented him with the
purse. When apologising, they said, ``We were mistaken. We did not
understand you. Even your four days' tour in this part of the
country has changed the atmosphere and the outlook of the people.
Kindly excuse us.'' This was far beyond expectation! Those who had
formerly greeted Bapuji with black flags had now come to beg his
pardon and fall at his feet with donation for Harijan Fund. What a
noble victory for love! The result would have
been quite otherwise if Bapu had got angry with them or if the
police had arrested the black flag demonstrators.

\par Bapu talked to them very tenderly and said, ``Forget the past.
Remember the saying, ``It is never too late to mend'', and do not
follow the wrong course in the future.''

\par People came in crowds to other stations as well. It rained on
the way. Our carriage got wet with leaking water. The guard came and
requested Bapu to shift to another compartment.

\par ``What will you do with this carriage?'' asked Bapuji.

\par ``We have vacated another carriage for you. The passengers from
that one will be shifted here.''

\par Bapu said, ``If this carriage is to be used, why should I not use
it for myself? I will not make myself comfortable by causing
discomfort to others.''

\par The guard was silenced. He then merely asked Bapu if he could be
of use in any other way.

\par Bapuji replied, ``Your duty is clear. Do not harass people and do
not accept any bribes. You will serve me best by practising these
two requests of mine.''

\par We passed the night peacefully in the train. Shri Brijkrishna
got down at Saharanpur and left for Delhi. We went straight on to
Patna. Bapu kept himself busy writing articles for the Harijan.

\par Shri Govind Vallabh Pant, who had come to meet us at Lucknow
station, pushed his way through the big crowd to our carriage. He
said to me, ``Better get down here. Why suffer hardships in the
company of the Mahatma?'' I replied, ``We have to suffer if we esteem
his company.''

\par Abhabahen tried to stop people from getting on to the train for
obtaining Bapu's darshan. Both of us asked them to contribute to the
Harijan Fund. We encountered huge crowds at every station.

\par Our train was late by two hours. We reached Benares station at
10.15 p.m. Bapu was sleeping. But people had been waiting for his
darshan since 3 p.m. They greeted him with shouts of joy. Bapu woke
up. He did not tolerate people shouting slogans and he therefore
refused to get down. People went away disappointed and frustrated.

\begin{flushright}
8-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par We reached Patna station at 3.30 a.m. Dr. Syed  Mahmud had come
to receive us. Abhabahen and I went with Bapu in the first car. Shri
Bisen and Kalyanam followed us with the luggage. After reaching our
lodging we had our mouth wash and offered prayers. Both of us had
had no sleep the whole night. Bapuji scolded us for keeping awake
and asked us to go to sleep right after prayers. He did not allow us
to work, so we rested for half an hour.

\par Next to Noakhali, Patna was Bapuji's main centre of work at this
time. We were asked to keep our extra luggage, books etc. at Patna.
We did so and put the old things in order. As we were to leave for
Calcutta the same day and from Calcutta we were to go straight to
Noakhali, we prepared our luggage accordingly. As Bapu had stayed
at Patna before this for a fairly long period, the rush of visitors
was quite heavy. Among them were Shrimati Mridulabahen who was
working in Bihar as Bapuji's personal secretary, workers of the
Patna Congress Committee and the Peace Committee, a deputation of
the Bihar Relief Association, Shri Kedarbabu, Gangababu, Sahjanand Saraswati,
Ansari Saheb, Anugraha Narayan Sinha and a deputation of policemen. All these
kept Bapu busy between 11 and 5. Before attending prayers at 5 p.m. he went
upstairs to call on Mrs. Syed Mahmud who was sick. Immediately after that he
drove straight to the Senate Hall, where the prayer was to be held. Bapuji
explained what the people should do on the 15th of August:

\begin{quote}
\par ``All should fast on that day. Everyone should do his duty.
The 15th of August is the day of our test. No one should create any
disturbance. The Swaraj that is coming does not warrant any celebration with
illuminations etc. We have not even got sufficient food grains, cloth, ghee or
oil for the needs of our people. How then can we celebrate? We should fast,
pray to God, and ply the Charkha on this important day. We did not have any
illuminations on the 6th of April. We had observed the week, from the 6th to
the 13th of April, byfasting and prayer on the first day. The 6th of April was
far better than this freedom, for then brothers did not fight amongst
themselves; everybody couldgo to temples or masjids freely and without fear.

\par ``Bihar has been built by the Charkha ; perhaps it leads in the work of
spinning. Shall we consign such a beautiful province to flames? She should
produce its own cloth.''
\end{quote}

\par This was Bapu's message to Bihar. From there we went straight to
the station. The train reached Bakhatiarpur station at about 9.30
p.m. The simple village people of Bihar, who had assembled at the
station for Bapu's darshan were shouting slogans of
greeting so loudly that the noise would have affected the ears of
even a strong healthy man. What then of Bapuji? He hurriedly got up
and went to the window and shouted, ``Why are you harassing an old
man?'' The people, however, were pleased to see Bapu near the window
and started rushing towards him with the intention of sanctifying
themselves by touching the Mahatma's body! Every one wanted to hand
over his contribution to Bapu personally and there was a terrible
stampede. He slapped one of them. Abha and I began to quake with
fear and we caught hold of Bapu's hand. Although Bapu's slapping was
due to his uncontrolled anger, the one who received it took it as a
blessing from the Mahatma and another person rushed forward to
receive a slap on his cheek! Abhabahen grasped the whole situation
and signalled to me saying, ``Those people seem to believe that a
slap from the Mahatma is a blessing. We should request Bapu to move
away from the window.'' We then told him that we would pacify the
crowd if he would disappear from their sight. We started repeating
Ramanama. The noise had somewhat subsided when our train left the
station.

\par Our experience in Bihar has been that as soon as people heard
that Bapuji was passing by a particular route they would flock to
the railway from all sides with sticks in their hands. They would
stop the train by pulling the chain whenever and wherever they
liked. The result was that our train was very late.

\begin{flushright}
9-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par This time I learnt an excellent lesson as the result of a
mistake on my part. We had forgotten to take with us Bapuji's
chamber pot. We did not feel the
want of it till we reached Patna. There Abhabahen told Bapu about
our oversight and I asked him whether we should purchase a new one.
Bapu replied laughingly, ``Why not? Your father has deposited your
money with me and I have been appointed its trustee. If you decide
to purchase a new pot I would not object to it. But I cannot spare
even a single pie myself.'' I could see that this was a joke ; but
thinking that it would be indispensable for Bapu in Noakhali, I
bought one. Bapu came to know of this in the train the next morning.
The train was due to reach Calcutta in a short while. Shri
Nirmalbabu joined us at Burdwan and Bapu was busy talking with him.
As soon as we got down at Calcutta and started for Sodepur in a car,
Bapuji opened the topic of my purchase. Both of us had been nervous
with fear at the thought of facing Bapu. It was I who was
responsible for the mistake, but when Abhabahen saw Bapu become
cross with me she plied me with sympathy. Bapu said, ``I was merely
joking. I would have managed with a glass bottle. Have you any idea
as to how seven rupees are earned? You have not earned a single
pie. You have today spent seven rupees for my chamber pot, but
tomorrow you will be spending money for some useless stuff. Are you
going to squander your father's money like this? I appreciate your
generosity but you must learn to be practical. There is every chance
that others will misunderstand that what you have done has been done
through pride. I do not misunderstand. It may be agrued that there
is nothing wrong in providing for our bodily comfort by necessary
purchases if we can afford the money. This leads man to degradation.
I wanted to tell you this at 2 a.m. But I postponed the idea and
blamed Bisen. I am now telling you this so that you may be on your guard
henceforth.''

\par I had to listen to Bapu's reproach all the way from Calcutta to
Sodepur. Bapu bathed, and then started his interviews.

\begin{center}
\large{At Calcutta}
\end{center}

\begin{flushright}
Sodepur,
9-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Dr. Prafulla Ghosh, Satish Dasgupta, Bal Kalelkar and
Bhansalibhai came to see Bapuji. Dr. Ghosh had an exclusive
interview for an hour. At 3.30 p.m. Bapu went to meet the Governor.
On his return, Nirmalbabu read out some letters to him. Later, he
had a discussion with Renuka Roy. Prayers were held at 5.30 p.m.

\par Calcutta was in the grip of communal riots. Bapu was filled with
anxiety. He said, ``This is the time of our real test. We must show
our strength to the whole world. If India is to be enslaved again, I
do not wish to live to see it, as my soul will weep at the sight.
But I pray to God that such a time does not come.''

\par Bapu took his walk after returning from prayers. He finished his
day's work and went to bed at 10 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Sodepur,
Sunday, 10-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Washed and attended prayers at 3.30 a.m. Bapuji started his
daily work after prayers. This was the only time when he got some
peace to write for the Harijan.

\par We started for a walk at 6 a.m., and Abhabahen and I were the only persons
who joined him. Bapuji asked laughingly, ``Who is older, Abha or you?''

\par When Abhabahen replied that she was the older one, Bapu said to
her, ``In that case you can scold Manu if you want to.''

\par I retorted, ``But Bapuji, being Kanubhai's sister I am her
sister-in-law, and according to the custom in Kathiawar, even a
younger sister-in-law can scold her brother's wife.''

\par Bapu laughed and said, ``Yes, that is so ; I had clean forgotten
it. I too used to harass my sister-in-law although I was younger
than she. Brothers' wives always suffer at the hands of their
sisters-in-law. But you two should be ideal sisters-in-law.''

\par Immediately after a bath Bapu interviewed visitors as usual. One
of them was Usmankhan who was the secretary of some league. He
described the terrible situation in Calcutta and, while pressing
Bapu to stay there for a couple of days, said, ``The Muslims have as
much claim on you as the Hindus, for you have yourself accepted that
you are as much a Muslim as a Hindu.''

\par Bapu replied, ``Are you prepared to guarantee that nothing will
happen in Noakhali? If anything happens there I now have the right
to go on a fast for Noakhali and you will have to be a witness
during the fast.''

\par There were twenty other Muslims who accompanied Usmankhan at the
time of the interview, but they did not dare accept such a heavy
responsibility. They said that they would wire to Gulam Sarvar,
Kasam, and others who had been released, about the matter, and that
they would also send special emissaries, but they refused to be
witnesses to the fast. Bapu replied that he would, in any case,
prolong his stay by two days. He then fixed the 13th for starting
for Noakhali.

\par Other routine matters, including the evening prayer, went on as
usual. Bapu poured out his heart in prayer. He said, ``The Hindus
should do nothing in Calcutta for which we shall have to feel
ashamed. If in our pride we maintain that the Government being ours
we can behave in any manner we choose, we shall be the worst of
fools, and India's freedom will not last long. If you want to fight,
fight like brave men. Why this stabbing in the back? I can speak to
you in this strain as I am sure that the Hindus do not think me to
be their enemy.''

\par Most of Bapu's visitors today were Muslims. Ministers also came.
Bapu started his silence at 7 p.m.

\par Bapuji's diet consists of milk, vegetables and chapatis. He
weighed 113 lbs.

\begin{flushright}
Monday, 11-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par After prayers, Bapu wrote letters to Manibahen Patel, P. R.
Das, Balkoba, Mehtab, and Chimanlal. He also wrote to the Governor.
He started for his morning walk at 6. After massage and bath he
listened to newspapers being read aloud to him while he took his
meal. At 11 a.m. he rested for half an hour. Kakasaheb came at
11.30. Bapuji talked to him while spinning. At 1 p.m. Prafullababu
and Annadababu came. At 2.30 he went to see the damage caused by the
riots. He returned at a quarter to five. Then followed a continuous
flow of visitors right up to 10 p.m., with a break only for the
daily prayer.

\par At prayer time Bapuji said, ``We must make ourselves worthy of
the freedom that is to come after
two days. Let us be grateful to God, who has given us the fruit of
the sacrifice we have made even in our poverty. How grand it would
be if four-hundred millions of people fast on that day and save that
much food. Try to understand that there is great strength in
fasting, silence and spinning.''

\par Shri Suhrawardy came at 10 p.m. He was with Bapu for nearly an
hour and a half. Bapuji said, ``We shall both work together. You
should join me if you are sincere. Then I do not have to go to
Noakhali. This is a path of renunciation. So, you should consult
your family before you decide.''

\par In the afternoon Bapu was requested by the B.B.C. to broadcast a
three minutes' talk on ``Free India and Her Relations with the World''
, but he refused and said, ``I must resist this temptation and these
people should forget that I know English.''

\par Bapuji postponed his departure to Noakhali.

\begin{flushright}
Tuesday, 12-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Today also Bapuji's routine followed the usual daily course.

\par In the afternoon, Shri Usman, the ex-Mayor of Calcutta, brought
Mr. Suhrawardy's message which was that he and Bapuji should stay
together in the same bungalow in the area where Muslims dared not
enter. Both should go there with open minds. Neither should have
secret interviews. Both should issue joint statements. Both should
stay and eat together. Shri Suhrawardy took upon himself to take
care of Noakhali.

\par Bapu launched on a frightening venture, for the locality in
which he was asked to stay was thought to be very dangerous. Not a
single Muslim had been spared there. One has to rely on God for the future.

\par Chief amongst today's visitors were Kakasaheb, Horace Alexander,
Stuart, representatives of Chandranagar, Ramesh Chandra Majmudar,
Gopinath Roy, Prafullababu, Annadababu, Usman Saheb, and Shri
Suhrawardy.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}The First Miracle]{The First Miracle}

\begin{center}
\large{15th August at Calcutta}
\end{center}

\begin{flushright}
Wednesday, 13-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Rising and prayers as usual at 3.30 a.m. This was our last day
at Sodepur. With the idea of informing people about the sudden
change in his programme, Bapu wrote a number of letters addressed,
among others, to Kanu Gandhi, Pyarelal, Amtus Salambahen,
Satishbabu, Radhakrishna, Aryanayakam, Balvantsinh, Rajendra Babu,
Sardar Vallabhbhai, Manibahen and Perinbahen Captain. A small
meeting was also held for ``Hindustani''. Bapu was kept busy from the
time he got up at 3.30 a.m. till 12.30 p.m., when he decided to rest
for a little while. Just then, however, Suhrawardy's group called on
him. They remained with him up to 1.30 p.m. Bapuji told Shaheed
Saheb that he would leave Sodepur at 2.28 p.m. and they should join
him in time. Having waited for Shaheed Saheb till 2.25, Bapu took
his seat in the car at 2.28 as per schedule. He drove towards the
Haidari Mansion at Beliaghata where the Hindus had massacred all the
Muslims.

\par A few men belonging to Bapu's party went in advance to clean the
Haidari Mansion. It was a very
shabby house without any sort of facility. It was open on all sides
? thus being easy of access to outsiders. The doors and windows were
broken. There was only one latrine which was used by hundreds of
people, including a number of volunteers, policemen and visitors.
Every inch of the place was covered with dust. In addition, rain had
made the passages muddy. Bleaching powder having been profusely
sprinkled, the acrid smell caused great discomfort. There was only
one usable room where everybody and everything had to be
accommodated, including Bapu himself, his luggage and guests.

\par There had been a riot. The youths were excited. They said to
Bapu, ``Why have you come here? The slightest suffering on the part
of the Muslims has caused you to hasten to their succour. Where were
you when we suffered?'' But they did not prevent Bapu from entering
the house. Shaheed Saheb, who came later on, was stopped at the
door. It was feared that he might be killed. Bapu sent Nirmalbabu
and others to bring a few representatives of the rioting mobs to
meet him. When they came inside, the rest of the mob remained calm.
Shri Suhrawardy was then allowed to enter the house.

\par Bapu had the following conversation with the excited youths who
had come inside.

\par Question: Why was there no one to protect the Hindus in the
Muslim locality during last year's riots in Calcutta on the 16th of
August? And you have come here to save the Muslims when there is
only a small scuffle of four days' duration!

\par Bapu: There is a vast difference between today and the 16th
August, 1946. I accept that all the atrocities of 16th August were
perpetrated exclusively
by the Mohammedans. But what is the use of avenging past wrongs? I
was on my way to Noakhali. But now I shall manage the affairs of
Noakhali from here. I have not come for the good of Muslims alone. I
want to serve everybody, for I am a friend of all men. Those who
kill and burn prove unfaithful to their own religion. It is you who
can save me. And if I am to be killed it is you who can kill me.
After all, I am old now. I have very few days to live. I have done a
lot of work. I have come to make you understand my point of view if
I can. But within my heart I feel that I am the servant of both
communities. I am a Bania. I am doing my business. I have warned
Hindus of Bihar that a repetition of the former happenings would
cost me my life. In coming here I have obtained the permission to
say that they ( Muslims) will have to murder me first before they
start a riot in Noakhali. Why don't you try to understand that my
responsibility concerning Noakhali is now being shouldered by
Shaheed Saheb and his men, and persons like Gulam Sarvar? Is this
small matter? This is what I call my business.

\par The youths (greatly excited): We do not want to take lessons
in Himsa and Ahimsa from you. Better leave this place. We shall
never allow any Muslim to come here.

\par Bapu: This means that you do not want my interference. But if
you help me and allow me to do my work, you will find a new
situation wherein Hindus will be able to go safely where they cannot
go today. What do you gain by harping on the events of August 16th,
1946, and becoming permanent enemies?

\par To this, an eighteen year old boy replied: ``History has not
proved that two widely differing
communities have been able to exist amicably, side by side. I have
noticed since childhood that the Hindus and Muslims have always been
fighting.''

\par Bapu: You are not older than I . I have seen a number of
instances where Hindu boys called Musulmans by the fond term,
chacha.\footnote{Uncle.} Persons of both communities participate in each
other's auspicious ceremonies and carry on friendly business and social
dealings. Besides, you want to force me to leave this place. I never
submit to force of any kind whatsoever! It is not in my nature. You
can stop me doing my work. You can imprison me if you like, or kill
me. I shall not call in the help of the military of pray to be
spared. You say that I am an enemy of the Hindus, but this does not
affect me as long as my soul is witness to my worthy motives. How
can I then accept that I am the enemy of Hindus? If you can convince
me that I have made a mistake in coming here, I shall immediately
leave this place.

\par This went on up to 8 p.m. In the end, Bapu said to two of the
boys, ``Can't you understand that being a Hindu by religion, deed and
name, I cannot possibly be an enemy of my own community? This is
sheer narrow-mindedness on your part.''

\par One does not know how, but the utterance of these two sentences
had a magic effect and all the young boys were satisfied. Then, the
same youths volunteered to keep watch over Bapu throughout the
night. They said, ``God knows, the old man is a wizard ; everybody is
won over by him. He is never vanquished.''

\par Prayers were held inside the house at 9 p.m. Bapu was extremely
tired, and so were we. Abha and I were very hungry as well, but there was
nothing to eat. Bapu said that we should not eat anything at so late an hour.
But hunger got the better of us and we ate something at 10 p.m.

\par Bapu retired at 11 p.m. We had fixed up an old four-legged
charpoy for him, and spread our own bedding on the floor. Bapu said,
``How can I sleep on a bed, while you sleep on the floor? Spread my
bedding also on the floor.'' We therefore spread his bedding too on
the floor. Shri Suhrawardy decided that he would not sleep here
tonight. He had some work to do. He said he would join us from the
following night.

\par Some of the Sodepur people wanted to stay on to help Bapu. He
refused, saying that the greatest help they could render was to
carry out their duties in their own place properly. Bapu had not
eaten anything since I p.m., nor had he taken any rest. He went to
sleep at 11.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
Thursday, 14-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Bapu wrote some letters after prayer at 3.30 a.m. He drank hot
water mixed with honey. At 5.30 a.m. he took sweet lemon juice. He
started for his walk at 6 a.m. Since there was no space inside the
compound he walked along the public road. After his walk he had a
massage. Then he had an hour's talk with Shri Kripalani who had come
to meet him. This was followed by a stream of visitors including
Renuka Roy, Surendra Mohan Ghosh, Tushar Kanti Ghosh, members of the
Peace Committee and others. Among the visitors were some who were
still greatly excited. All this kept Bapu busy up to 3 p.m. He
then tried to relax and rest for a while, but could not sleep owing
to the continuous influx of visitors who were noisy. The youths
allowed Bapuji to attend the prayer meeting. He went there at 5.30
p.m. More than ten thousand people had assembled. They were fairly
quiet and reasonably well-behaved during prayers. Bapu made his
after-prayer speech with an apology for not being to talk in
Bengali. He said:

\begin{quote}
\par Tomorrow we shall be free from the slavery of the British
domination. But at midnight India will be partitioned. Tomorrow will
thus be a day of rejoicing as well as of mourning. With the advent
of freedom, we shall have to shoulder a very heavy burden. Let us
pray to God to give us the strength to bear this heavy burden.

\par I decided to stay on here as Shri Suhrawardy told me that there
was a big conflagration in Calcutta which I should try to
extinguish. I told him that he would be required to become a recluse
like me. He accepted the condition and I stayed on. If, after
achieving freedom, we become blind with pride and say, ``Now that we
have our own government, let us kill the Musulmans'', I would not
reckon it as bravery on our part. To me, all religions are equally
good. I merely laugh when I hear Hindu boys tell me that I am their
enemy. What can I gain by being wroth with these boys? Shri
Suhrawardy asked me whether he should join the prayers. I prevented
him, as I felt that he might be insulted by someone and that would
be like insulting me. All the Musulmans who have run away from this
locality must return. If the two millions, comprising the two
communities, became enemies, how can I persuade the Noakhali Hindus?
If communal strife spreads over the whole of India, of what use is
our freedom? Let us, therefore, pray to God that He may guide us
along the right path.
\end{quote}

\par After prayers, everybody asked about the whereabouts of
Suhrawardy, They declared that they would not leave the place unless
they saw Suhrawardy in person. Shri Suhrawardy was breaking his fast
in termination of the Roza.\footnote{A Mohammedan fast.} Bapu explained to the
people, ``He will come within a short time. He will be able to stand here with
me if he is sincere in his heart. I am sure that he will not be able to join
forces with me, and keep it up even for a day if he is a hypocrite.''

\par Shri Suhrawardy arrived just then. He said, ``It is really our
good luck that Mahatmaji had come to Bengal. But you have to
understand the importance of his visit. A great men like Gandhiji
has blessed your land with his presence. Let us stop our fighting at
least for his sake. We all want peace., We want to prove that Hindus
and Musulmans can live side by side in a peaceful manner. If the
Hindus of this locality guarantee that not a single Muslim will lose
his life, I assure you that Hindus too will be able to go where they
cannot dare go now.''

\par Someone asked, ``Don't you think that you were responsible for
the great massacre of 16th August 1946?'' Shri Suhrawardy replied,''
All of us were responsible for it.'' The youth said, ``Please answer
my question.'' Shri Suhrawardy finally admitted that he alone was
responsible for the happenings and people greeted him with cheers.

\par It was 8 p.m. by now. News was received that five thousand
Hindus and five thousand Mohammedans had started in processions and they had
greeted each other. It was Shri Suhrawardy who broke this news and added, ``What
a wonderful result of only one day's penance on the part of the Mahatma! The
entire city is as peaceful as if nothing had happened. Shrimati Aruna Asafali
and Ram Manohar Lohia have to be congratulated for what they have done in this
respect.

\par At 9 p.m. Shri Suhrawardy took Bapu for a drive to the lake.
From there they went to the Marwadi Club. It took an hour by car to
reach and to return home. On the return journey Bapu was perturbed.
He protested, ``I spend only half an hour in walking, and I have
wasted an hour in a car to reach the place and return. How can I
afford to waste time like this? It is bad business. It is past ten
now. When will the girls eat?''

\par Shri Suhrawardy replied, ``It is not very late; it is just ten
o'clock.''

\par Bapu then said, ``It may be early for you, but for me it is like
midnight.''

\par We returned home at 10.45 p.m. and Bapu retired at 11. He was
worried because we remained hungry till so late.

\par People disturbed us throughout the night. They kept coming in
great numbers as the following day was the 15th of August. The whole
city was being decorated with flags and the noise of the bustle
reached our ears from all sides.

\begin{flushright}
Friday, 15-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Today Bapuji got up at 2 a.m. A number of Musulmans, who had
decided to break their Roza only after obtaining darshan from the
Father of the
Nation who had brought freedom, were waiting outside. There were
Hindus also. Bapuji went out to meet them. Today being the death
anniversary of Shri Mahadevbhai, we recited the Bhagawadgita at the
time of the prayer. The recitation was completed at 3.45 a.m. From
early morning Hindus and Muslims were going round the city sitting
together in trucks with both the Muslim League and Congress flags
flying and shouting ``Long Live Hindu-Muslim Unity''. What a contrast
this was to that of two days previously. How wonderful the result of
penance!! Bapu looked more serious today. When we went out for a
walk on the street in the morning, we saw thousands of men, women
and children assembled for Bapu's darshan. We returned home at 8
o'clock. I said, ``Bapuji, people will celebrate in a different
manner, while you ask us to observe fasting and silence and to spin
yarn. Is not today a day of rejoicing?''

\par Bapu replied, ``Let people do what they want. You know that I ask
people to observe a fast even on occasions of marriage and
child-birth. Today we have to consider with a calm mind how far our
responsibility has increased. It is the Charkha which has given us
freedom. How can we forget it? And when we fast we purify our
bodies. Thus purified, we should pray to God that He may make us fit
for freedom.''

\par Bapu could not do any work today. He had to go out every half an
hour. Thousands of people kept coming for his darshan, and they said
that all this was due to the great Gandhi!`

\par The Ministers of Calcutta came to pay their respects to Bapu.
Bapu said to them, ``Today, you have worn on your head a crown of
thorns. The seat of power is a nasty thing. You have to remain ever wakeful on
that seat. You have to be more truthful, more non-violent, more humble
and more forebearing. You had been put to test during the British
regime. But in a way it was no test at all. But now there will be no
end to your being tested. Do not fall a prey to the lure of wealth.
May God help you! You are there to serve the villages and the poor.''

\par The atmosphere of Calcutta had changed in two hours. Men and women
were seen going round hand in hand, shouting, ``Hindu-Muslim Bhai
Bhai.''\footnote{The slogan means Hindus and Muslims are brothers.}

\par Bapuji allowed us to witness the celebrations, but he himself did
not go. People of both communities visited each other's places of
worship.

\par There was a terrible rush at the evening prayer at 5.30 p.m.
Bapu's car passed through the crowd with great difficulty, and he
encountered still greater difficulty in reaching the dais. In his
after-prayer speech Bapu said:

\begin{quote}
\par ``Today is the first day of freedom and Rajaji has become the Governor.
People thought that the Governor's house was their own property and so they
occupied the whole of it. It is a good thing that the people are aware that all
have equal right to enter the house. But it is painful that they seem to think
that now that the British have gone away, they are free to do what they like
and break and destroy things. I hope no one will indulge in such barbarism. If
we can show the same degree of unity which we had shown during the days of the
Khilafat agitation, we shall be drinking cups of nectar in place of those of
poison which we had to drink uptill now.''
\end{quote}

+ The Governor of Bengal.

\par This was followed by a speech by Shri Suhrawardy. He said:

\begin{quote}
\par ``If there is no peace in Calcutta, there can be no peace anywhere in
India. As Mahatmaji has told you, if we both can work peacefully, with honesty
of purpose, we shall be able to achieve a lot ; you have seen the result
achieved in twenty-four hours. Hindus and Muslims are moving about hand in
hand. This is due to the effort of the great Mahatma and the grace of Allah and
the mercy of Ishwar!

\par ``We are starting a new life from today. If we fight amongst ourselves,
we shall be unfit for freedom, I pray to God that our country should be
foremost among the countries of the world, and that it should be absolutely
free from poverty and helplessness.''
\end{quote}

\par While referring to ``Jai Hind'', he said:

\begin{quote}
\par ``Muslims are being forced to shout the slogan: ``Jai Hind'', but there is
no need for any force. We shall also shout that slogan of our own free will,
for we too are residents of India.''
\end{quote}

\par With these words he made the people shout ``Jai Hind'' and the whole
meeting resounded with it. Bapu's face was wreathed in a tender smile.

\par We returned from prayers at 8 p.m. Bapu met Prafullababu and
yielded to Shri Suhrawardy's pressure to go for a drive. He wanted to
show Bapuji the illuminations and the atmosphere of unity in the city.
Everyone recognized Bapu's car. When it passed
through a Muslim locality it was surrounded by people who greeted
him with ``Jai Hind''. Small children shook hands with him, and many a
people sprinkled him with scents and rose water.

\par Bapu returned from a drive around the city at a quarter to ten.
He was extremely tired. After doing some work, he went to bed at
10-30 p.m.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}``Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai'']%
	{``Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai''\footnote{Bhai: brother. Bhai bhai:
	friend.}}

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
Saturday, 16-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par We got through our morning wash, and had prayers as usual at
3.30 a.m. Then, Bapu read his post and gave replies. We started for
a walk on the street at 6.30 a.m.

\par Even his walk served the purpose of imparting some practical
lessons to our people. Thousands had assembled to obtain his darshan
before he set off. Bapu made them sit down in front of the door and
explained to them that the great noise they made was unbearable.
This made them silent. Bapu had started out for his walk with bare
feet. He thought that those people who made the streets dirty by
spitting everywhere would stop doing so if he went out unshod. It
certainly had some effect as people stopped making the streets quite
as dirty as formerly. Bapu remarked, ``I am glad that people have
learnt these two lessons from me.''

\par Bapu took his massage after the walk ; this was followed by a
bath and his morning meal at 9 a.m. as usual.

\par The most important person to meet Bapu today was Rajaji. The
first thing he did after being sworn-in as the Governor was to come
to Bapu for an interview at 11.30 a.m. Formerly, it was Bapu who had
to go to the Governor! It made history as it was the first time
that a Governor had come to interview Bapu! Both the old men looked
very happy. In spite of the dirtiness of the yard, Rajaji had
removed his slippers outside, and had crossed the verandah etc. with
bare feet to enter Bapu's room. All the visitors came with shoes on
right up to Bapu's room. But not so Rajaji. He remained with Bapu
for nearly an hour.

\par There was a series of deputations to meet Bapu between 12.30 and
5 p.m. There were discussions about communal unity and relief work.
Bapu went to the prayer meeting at 5.30 p.m. Shaheed Saheb was the
first to speak. He said, ``We have to thank Allah or Ishwar and the
great Mahatma for the peace we have had here for the last two or
three days. The terrible riots have been replaced by perfect peace.
Even women go out freely and without fear. It is now our
responsibility to maintain this calm atmosphere. People of both
communities must unite in service to our country. Muslims have to
take a vow that they will not kill a single Hindu henceforth, and
will carry on business as partners with Hindus. India does not
belong to Hindus alone ; she belongs to all of us. ``Jai Hind'' should
be the slogan for everybody. All our sins are being washed away by
the efforts of the Mahatma. Our only aim now should be the happiness
of the poor.''

\par This was followed by Bapu's speech. He too appealed for unity
and said that if permanent peace
could be established there, it would have its effect all over India.
Some people had stolen things from Government house. Referring to
this he said, ``It is said about our country that there was no need
in olden times to lock anything or any house. There were no thefts
committed in Ramarajya. We were such an honest people in those days.
Such incidents are a matter of shame to our great country. I would
request those who have stolen that they should return the stolen
articles.''

\par Bapu took his usual walk after prayers. Shri Kailasji of the
Scottish Church College came to meet him and asked, ``What is the
relation between a nation and religion?''

\par Bapu replied, ``A nation does not belong to any particular
religion or sect. It should be absolutely independent of either
religion or sect. Every person should be free to follow the religion
of his choice.''

\par Bapu went to bed at 10.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
17-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par The morning programme was gone through as usual, after which
Bapu spent his time in meeting workers, advising people, and writing
articles for the Harijan, this being the last day for dispatching
the matter. Shri Suhrawardy was the first to speak at the prayer
meeting which was held today at Nankudanga. It was a vast assemblage
of people. Shaheed Saheb said: ``During the riots Hindus and
Musulmans could not pass through each other's localities even in
motor vehicles. But, today, even a small child can walk without fear
wherever it likes. Remember that we owe all this to Gandhiji.'' He
appealed to everybody to preserve communal unity.
Bapu followed this with his speech and said, ``Every one is
congratulating me ; but what can a frail ordinary man like myself
achieve by himself? We must not be proud. Though it is very
gratifying to hear Hindus shout, ``Long live Pakistan'' and Muslims,
``Long live Hindustan''. Yet, people should not shout these slogans
merely in order to please me, or through fear. They should do so
sincerely with God as witness.''

\par He then appealed for unity. He also referred to the Chandranagar
Satyagraha. He said, ``If every individual resorts to Satyagraha of
this variety, there is no purpose in selecting Jawaharlal as your
Prime Minister. There is a specific code of rules even for carrying
out Satyagraha.''

\par Referring to his place of residence Bapuji said, ``People now
seem to think that they are not bound to obey any one's orders.
People who visit my place of residence indulge in shouting and
abusing the police. The latter fold their hands in return. The
police are no doubt our servants, but they receive orders only from
the Government, not from private individuals. If each one of us
start to order the police they will be crushed. If we continue to
behave in this unruly manner, we shall surely lose our freedom. You
are free to complain if the police try to rule instead of serving.
But it is their duty to arrest all those who commit crimes. I have,
therefore, requested the Government to withdraw the police force. It
is really painful that they should have to listen to your abuse for
our sake. Now it is in your hands to kill us or save us. I do not
deny your love for me. But I am afraid it may prove to be merely an
effervescence similar to that of a soda water bottle. All things are
good within their proper limits.''

\par The prayer grounds were covered with mud. Shri Suhrawardy was
carried to the car, but Bapu walked. His legs were covered with the
mud by the time he reached the car. We got back from the prayer
meeting at 9 p.m. Bapu went to bed at 10 p.m. after an hour's
discussion with Shri Suhrawardy.

\begin{flushright}
Monday, 18-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Today is Bapu's day of silence. At 6.30 he busied himself with
writing work after the morning prayer. Then he went out for a walk.
There was less noise today. The military had been sent away.
Volunteers are very helpful. Bapu started for Barakpur at 11 a.m.
and got there at 12 noon. There was a big crowd shouting ``Jai Hind''.
It was deafening. There had been some quarrel about a procession at
Barakpur ; it was now amicably settled, and people of both
communities greeted each other cordially. Bapu gave Id greetings and
at about 1.30 p.m. gave his message in writing.

\par One of the Muslim friends said, ``Kindly excuse our mistakes
which have been too many to recount. But we want to live as brothers
henceforth.'' This was followed by people of both communities
embracing each other.

\par Shaheed Saheb said, ``The first thing we should now do is to
resolve never to fight amongst ourselves again. We should visit each
other's houses ; eat and drink together, hoist our flags together
and forget the past. Unfortunately, there were incidents at Barakpur
for two days, but we now want to follow the example of Calcutta.''

\par The Musulmans wished that Bapu would concede the request of
Muslim ladies to obtain his darshan. Bapu readily agreed. A Hindu
said, ``We shall not grieve the Muslims by playing music in front of
their mosques.''

\par Bapu's written message was as follows:

\begin{quote}
\par ``I hope that the understanding arrived at is accepted by all --- not only
by those who are present here today but also by those who are absent. Hindus
must understand that music should not be played before a Masjid at the time of
prayer. All of you should speak out your minds plainly. The League and the
Congress have come to an agreement that if they cannot settle any issue they
will get it settled through arbitration. Neither group shall use force. If we
continue to fight in fits of anger we shall never be able to live in peace.''
\end{quote}

\par Muslim women who resided in the market area were waiting for
Bapu's darshan. So, our motor passed through that locality.

\par We returned to Beliaghata at 4 p.m. Bapu did his spinning and
drank milk. He then went to the prayer meeting. Today being Id,
Musulmans called on Bapu in great numbers and he gave each of them
some fruit.

\par The prayer was held at the ``Mohammedan Sports'' maidan. There was
an assemblage of four to five lakh people. Bapu reached the pulpit
with great difficulty. He nearly slipped twice on his way. His face
expressed joy when he saw the mammoth gathering of Hindus and
Muslims. Our car took half an hour to pass through the gate ;
ordinarily this would have required only a couple of minutes. People
were eager to touch Bapu's feet. Poor Shaheed Saheb was wet with
perspiration. His wrist watch was broken to pieces. He made his
speech as usual. He said, ``Id is usually a day of joy for Musulmans.
But today it is much more so, for it is for the first time, after
nearly a year of fighting, that Hindus and Muslims --- not only men
but women also --- have been able to sit together without any fear.
All this is due to the infinite mercy of Allah and the good work of
our beloved Bapu.''

\par Usman Saheb, the Mayor of Calcutta, then said, ``Today is a
golden day in our history. We have been able to witness a similar
sight to that which we had seen in 1920-21. All our quarrels have
now ended. I was terribly anxious when India was on the threshold of
freedom ; I was at a loss to know what was going to happen. But by
the grace of Allah and Gandhiji all our differences were settled
just half an hour before we became free. Our effort now should be to
preserve our freedom. In order to do this, we must prepare for still
greater sacrifice than was called for during our fight to obtain
Independence.''

\par Bapu spoke: ``It is my foremost duty to extend Id greetings to
all the Muslim brethren here. There was a time when both communities
met to offer Id greetings ; but I must admit that I am witnessing
such a sight today for the first time after a good many years. My
heart leaps with joy when I see here volunteers of the Muslim
League, the National Guard and Congress working together. We have to
make this unity a lasting one. Now we have, ourselves, to do the
work which the English had been doing for us. I shall never forget
what I have seen here today.''

\par Bapu made his way to the car with great difficulty as he had to
pass through the surging crowd. On the way home, he talked to us
about the Khilafat days. He said, ``Khilafat was the effort to
preserve the seat of the Khalifa. The Ali Brothers helped a lot in
those days. The Khilafat struggle went on for a number of years.
There were many small disturbances for which I had to undertake a
fast in the year 1921. I remember those days today. The Ali Brothers
did not fully approve of a statement which I issued at that time.
This resulted in slight disharmony.'' Bapu took some fruit and milk
after returning from prayers. He started for a walk at 9.45 p.m. He
told the noisy crowds outside, ``If you persist in making so much
noise, you will kill me. But I do not want to die in this way. You
should, therefore, behave in a befitting manner.''

\par Bapuji went to bed at 10.30 p.m.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}The Peace Week]{The Peace Week}

\begin{flushright}
Beliaghata,
Tuesday, 19-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Prayer as usual at 3.30 a.m. Having finished his morning
functions Bapu began his routine work. The first to meet him was
Shaheed Saheb. He stayed for an hour. Then came the Bengal
Ministers.

\par We started for Kacharapada at 12 o'clock and reached there at 2
p.m. It was with great difficulty that the crowds were persuaded to
preserve silence. The Muslims of this place complained that the
Hindus were harassing them. The population consisted of twenty-five
thousand Hindus and eight
thousand Muslims. Most of the Hindus are Biharis. Addressing the
meeting Bapu said, ``I have built Bihar and served her. Hence, the
Biharis respect my word. Are they going mad today? And those who
form a majority of the population must be very careful.'' Shri
Suhrawardy said, ``This tri-colour flag is the greatest thing. Be you
Hindu or Muslim, it is the only flag you can fly.'' He also laid
great emphasis on unity.

\par At last the two communities agreed to unite, and the crowd
started out in a joint procession with the National Flag.

\par We left the place at 3.30 p.m. and drove home-wards. But our car
was stopped at different places on the way and we did not reach the
prayer meeting till 7 p.m., which was very late.

\par Bapu expressed the same views at the prayer meeting as he had
done at the Kacharapada meeting. He added, ``The custom of not
playing music in front of Masjids was introduced during the British
regime. We must stick to the same custom until Jawahar or Liaqat Ali
introduces some other custom. We should, therefore, stop playing
music before Masjids if the Muslims feel offended by it.''

\par After returning from prayers at 9 p.m. Bapu did his spinning and
drank milk. He went to bed at 11 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
20-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par The morning programme took its usual course from 3.30 a.m.
Interviews started immediately after Bapu's bath. Rajaji came at
11.30 a.m. Bapu had an hour's talk with him. There was a Press
conference at 3.30 p.m.

\par Someone asked, ``It is rumoured that Shrimati Chandralekha
Pandit\footnote{The daughter of Vijayalakshmi Pandit.} is to be sent as
ambassador to the U.S.A. What can a girl of eighteen do as ambassador?''

\par Bapu replied, ``This question is an attack on Jawahar. I can give
a fitting reply, but I do not want to enter into political questions
now. I am at the moment concerned with Hindu-Muslim problem; you may
ask me any question relating to it. I do not wish the Press to be
ineffective. I want it to help the cause of Hindu-Muslim unity. I
request you to create an atmosphere in which the people of the two
communities do not indulge in stabbing each other, even though the
Governments of Pakistan and Hindustan go mad. I am very eager for
the creation of such an atmosphere. All my speeches at prayer
meetings, and also my writings, are always made after full
deliberation.'' Bapu spoke in this strain for half an hour. He took
fruit and milk after returning from the Press conference. It was now
time to attend the prayer meeting which was to be held in the open
area surrounded by Canning Street, Pollock Street, Muraghihata and
Kolutola. Bapu was so seated that he had a Temple on one side, a
Masjid on another and a Church on the third side.

\par It was at this place that the rioting had started on 16th August
1946 and it was here also that Hindu-Muslim unity had been
established on 15th August 1947. There was a vast gathering.
According to local calculation there were not less than seven lakh
people. There was a great noise. When the prayer was 
concluded with the recitation of Ramanama the people indulged in
clapping. Bapu reprimanded them and said, ``The prayer is neither a
dramatic performance nor a cinema show; nor is it an exhibition. It
is a means of remembering God. You should therefore never clap at
prayer time.''

\par He added later on, ``I now wish to go to Noakhali. I offer you my
heartiest congratulations for the unity you have achieved here. Yet,
I do not want you to lapse into relaxation. You all must remain
alert and spread the atmosphere of peace everywhere by starting
peace committees in different areas.''

\par Speaking about the flag he said, ``True Hindu as I am, I would
fly both the flags, for we have become friends now. It matters
little if Pakistan does not fly the Union Flag. That would put her
to shame. Look at the U.S.A. and Great Britain. They are friends and
they fly their flags jointly and observe joint celebrations. We
should not always be guided by what others do. If we do what we
think to be right, it is sure to have its effect.'' Regarding cow
protection he said, ``There is no greater admirer of the cow than I
am. Newspapers report Shri Dalmia to have said that the Union
Government could stop beef-eating by legislation. But it cannot do
so. It is a lesser sin to kill a cow and eat her than to ill-treat
and under-feed her as we are doing; I would even go to the length of
saying that the former course may prove to be the more merciful. If,
instead of passing a law to stop cow slaughter, we learn the method
of cow breeding, we shall see that cow slaughter will stop of its
own accord.''

\par Shri Suhrawardy also spoke. He laid great emphasis on unity. He
advised the Muslims to fly the
Congress Flag. He concluded by saying, ``This is the place where
massacring took place and it is here that the slogan: ``Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai''
was first proclaimed. It is here too that
that great peace maker, apostle of love, and humanitarian, the great
Mahatma Gandhi, has arrived today among this vast congregation of
Hindus and Muslims. This place shall ever remain a great monument.''
We returned from the prayer at 9 p.m. Bapu had a long discussion
with the Bengal Ministers. He started for his walk at ten o'clock
and went to bed at 10.30 p.m.

\par A phone message from Mridulabahen stated that the Calcutta
happenings had had a salutary effect on Bihar. Bapu was greatly
pleased to hear this.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion,
21-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par The day's programme started as usual at 3.30 a.m. As it was
raining, the morning walk had to be cancelled. Massage, bath, meal
etc. were taken today in comparative peace. There were fewer
visitors.

\par Bapu spent his time in writing articles for the Harijan and in
attending to his daily correspondence. It was only today --- for the
first time after our coming here --- that Bapu could work undisturbed
till 3. p.m.

\par At 3 o'clock Bapu went to the women's meeting at the University.
There was too much noise. Bapu waited for three quarters of an hour,
but all attempts to induce silence failed. He then started to speak
: ``I have attended many women's meetings, but today there has been
too much noise. I am a mere servant. I was ordered to attend a
women's meeting and so have I come. I want to go back as early as I
can. The women who are present here today should be-friend Muslim women.
Ladies can achieve a lot. My grand-daughter accompanied me on my
Noakhali tour. I used to send her daily to meet women ; they told
her so many things, and also tested her in numerous ways. I advise
ladies to help in removing untouchability.''

\par From here we went straight on to the prayer meeting at Park
Circus. Shri Suhrawardy was the first to speak after prayers. After
his usual appeal for unity he said, ``Hindus as well as Muslims must
now return to the homes they left during the disturbances. The two
communities have to protect each other. The Muslims have the same
rights as the Hindus. They should be prepared to sacrifice their
lives to save their Hindu brethren if the latter are in difficulty.
Then only shall they be reckoned Muslims of the true faith. One of
the Mahatma's volunteers has sent us word that the unity achieved in
Calcutta has had a good effect in Bihar. Its effects have also been
felt in Bombay, Ahmedabad, Punjab, and other places in the Indian
Union. We should be careful, therefore, to see that we do not lose
our good name. We must create the type of atmosphere which will
induce people to return to their homes without fear. The world too
should forget that anything untoward happened in Calcutta. Victory
to Hindus and Muslims! Jai Hind!!''

\par The people responded by shouting ``Jai Hind''.

\par A Hindu boy holding Pakistan's flag and a Muslim boy holding
Hindustan's flag stood side by side. Bapu, referring to this, said,
``If our hearts stand united as are these two flags here, who would
bother as to which flag is greater and which is smaller? If
Pakistan and Hindustan work in the right spirit, they will be as
closely united as if they were two bodies with a single soul.'' Bapu
then appealed for permanent unity and requested people to return to
their deserted homes without fear.

\par After returning from prayers at 9 p.m. Bapu had an hour's
discussion with Shri Suhrawardy, then took a walk at the late hour
of 9.45. He went to bed at 11 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
22-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par We got up today at 3.15 a.m., it being the 22nd --- the date on
which Kasturba expired. We recited the Bhagawadgita after prayers.
This took an hour and twenty minutes. The day's usual programme
followed prayers. Bapu had his massage and bath and then discussed
important matters with the Bengal Ministers who met him at 10 a.m.
While doing this he also had his meal. The Ministers left at 12
noon. This was followed by a discussion with the workers of the
Bengal Chemicals who wanted to go on a strike. Bapu advised them not
to strike.

\par He attended a women's meeting of the Kasturba Trust at 2 p.m.

\par The ladies offered Bapu hanks of hand-spun yarn as garlands.
Bapu said, ``Those of you who know weaving may take this yarn .''

\par One of the workers asked, ``How do we go about organizing village
work? Different people suggest different methods, and we are
confused and do not know which is best''.

\par Bapu said, ``Practice makes one perfect. Go and settle in a
village. There is nothing to worry about if you wish to devote
yourself to the service of others. If
you have overcome your fear, go straight to some village and gather
round you children below the age of five. Start educating them.
Clean the village streets with their help. The village should look
after such women workers. If not, they should be ready to go hungry.
But maintaining you does not mean money for make-up and fashionable
clothes. It means your food, which should be only bread and dal ---
things which the farmer usually eats. The village is sure to accept
you in its fold if you make yourself a part of it.

\par Sister: Some sisters have been working in a village for the
last year and a half. They are doing cleaning and other work. But no
worthwhile result is to be seen.

\par Bapu: The villages have not received proper training. You must
show zeal for honest and patient work.

\par Sister: But people say that we have been forcing ourselves on
villages as we have no other means of livelihood.

\par Bapu: Does it matter even if you have to live in one particular
village all your life and listen to the abuse of its inhabitants?
You should bear with it. We must now expiate the grave injustice we
have done to villages. Premabahen Kantak has stuck to just one
village for a number of years. So has Yashodhara in a village of
Mysore. Results will be seen only after you have worked for years
together.

\par This discussion went on up to 4 p.m. Bapuji then started
spinning. He talked to visitors while doing so. The prayer meeting
was held at Deshbandhu Park at 5 a.m. Shri Suhrawardy once again
appealed for unity and exhorted Muslims to work under the tri-colour
flag. He appealed to the people to contribute to the Relief Fund.

\par Bapu asked the audience to join in repeating Ramanama and to
clap to its rhythm. He said, ``That will give us new strength. How
nice it looks when soldiers march in step! I am opposed to military
power, for it results in killing human beings. There is only one way
to vanquish military power and obtain peace, and it is this.''

\par Bapu then expressed his intense feelings regarding communal
unity, with special reference to the riots in the Punjab.

\par We returned home at 7 p.m. Bapu took some fruit and milk and
then had a short talk with the Ministers of Bengal. After this, he
went for an evening walk and retired at 10 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
23-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Got up at 3.30 a.m. as usual. Bapu wrote some letters after
morning prayers. We then started for a walk. Bapu said, ``I like
walking outside with bare feet. It reminds me of the Noakhali
pilgrimage.'' After the walk Bapu had his massage and bath, and wrote
for the Harijan. He observed silence while writing with the purpose
of being able to work undisturbed. Except for an interval of half an
hour for eating and an equal time for rest, he worked up to 2 p.m.

\par Interviews started at 2 p.m. Abhabahen and I left for the
Harijan quarters at 2 p.m. The people there wanted Bapuji to visit
the colony. He told us to keep an eye on the time and see how long
it took us to walk to the place. We found that the houses of Harijans were
clean. Bapu's interviews lasted up to 5. The interviewers were
mostly workers.

\par The prayer meeting was held at ``Woodlands''? the residence of
the Maharaja of Kuchbihar.

\par Bapu spoke on command unity and added, ``Hindus should not object
to the shouting of ``Allah-ho-akbar'', nor should the Muslims object
to ``Vande Mataram''. The two slogans are, however, somewhat
different. One of them is political and the other religious.
``Allah-ho-Akbar'' means ``God is great''. What does it matter if the
slogan is in Arabic? Is it sinful because it is in a foreign
language? And ``Vande Mataram'' means, a bow to our beloved Mother
India. Is anything wrong in this? But these days our minds are much
confused. If your hearts are one, I suggest that Musulmans should be
free to worship Mother Kali, and Hindus should go to the Masjid with
equal freedom.''

\par Referring to Shaheed Saheb, he said: ``People tell me that
Shaheed Saheb will deceive me. But one who deceives is the loser. If
he deceives me he will lose, not I. God does not tolerate such
deception. I have not yet complete trust in him. I shall tell you
myself when I have. He has been sleeping here for the last two days.
Abha and Manu, who are staying with me, asked him why he did not
remain with me at night in spite of his promise to do so. The girls
meant it as a joke but he took it seriously and started sleeping
here. If a man who is a habitual thief comes and tells us that we
should trust him and that he would commit no more theft it is our
duty to trust him. I am a man who desires to trust others.''

\par Bapu took his meal of milk and fruit after prayers. He went
through pending letters and wrote replies to necessary ones. He went
out for a walk at 9.30 and slept at 10 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
24-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par After prayers at 3.30 a.m. Bapuji wrote for the Harijan. He
did not go out for a walk as it was raining. He requested the
readers to express their opinion as to whether the Harijan should be
continued or discontinued. He took his walk indoors. There was no
space for all of us to walk together. I sat on a wooden seat while
he walked. Bapu asked me, ``Why are you idle today?''

\par I said, ``What do you mean, Bapu?'' He asked, ``Why are you not
walking? Are you going to sit in a chair after I leave? I can
judge others from your case, for you have been with me in this Great
Sacrifice. The Sacrifice that was started at Noakhali has not ended
because we have left the place. You may have your own reasons for
avoiding a walk, but how can you break your own rule? There is no
meaning in doing things for fear of my displeasure. Am I to suppose
that other workers too are working because of fear of me? What I
see of you today makes me afraid that all my workers will occupy
chairs!''

\par I understood Bapu's agony. Many times he attached high
importance to very small matters.

\par Bapuji was having his bath while Shrimati Jyotika Ray sang her
sweet devotional songs outside his bathroom. He was highly pleased.
How precious was time for him! He could not spare special time to
hear her sing, so he requested her to do so while he bathed. He
could hear her well.

\par It was ten in the morning. Someone had phoned the Home Minister,
Annada Babu, that Bapu had been shot. He ran to us, scared. He told
Bapu about it. He laughed, amused, and said, ``Whence can I have the
rare fortune of being killed with a bullet?''

\par Prayers were held at the Monument at 5 p.m. Prior to prayers,
Bapu was presented with an Address in a silver casket. He
immediately auctioned the casket for the Harijan Fund.

\par Shaheed Saheb spoke in English today. He said, ``May Bapu live
long amidst us. There is not the slightest doubt that he is a great
man. The flag with the wheel is the flag for us all. The
responsibility of making our country worthy of the great man lies on
our shoulders.'' He also spoke about lasting communal unity.
Referring to the Address, Bapu said, ``Shaheed Saheb requested me to
accept the Address. There is no reason why I should refuse it. I am
a greedy man who would go miles to obtain even a pie for the Harijan
Fund.''

\par Later, referring to the municipality he said, ``I wish Calcutta
to be the foremost city in cleanliness, and it death-rate to be the
lowest. I would like Calcutta to be as beautiful as Buckingham.''

\par Coming to the question of communal unity he said, ``All this can
be achieved if we achieve real unity.''

\par After prayers Bapu started his silence. He went to bed at 9 p.m.
It was the first time after his arrival at Calcutta that he was able
to retire early.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}Treatening clouds]{Treatening clouds}

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
25-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Having looked into some correspondence after the morning prayer
Bapuji slept for a while. It was raining and he had to walk inside
the house. Visitors started coming after massage and bath. But Bapu
was observing silence. He wrote a good many letters and slept for an
hour in the afternoon. This was real rest after much fatigue. He
went to the prayer meeting at Howrah Maidan at 5 p.m. Shaheed Saheb
in his speech laid emphasis on communal unity and said, ``I have no
doubt in my mind, that if it had not been for Bapu's presence here,
Howrah would have been burnt to ashes. Let no one feel excited over
the happenings in the Punjab. If you preserve peace here, Punjab
will revert to peace of its own accord. Mahatmaji has sanctified our
atmosphere. May Allah preserve this sanctity. ``Jai Hind''.''

\par Having discussed communal unity, Bapu said, ``A few persons from
the Punjab came to me and told me that Jawaharlal had gone there.
They pressed me also to go there. I told them that I would go only
when I would feel like doing it, completing my work here. I have
served the Punjab well. I do not belong to Gujarat alone but to each
and every province. Even from here I am rendering service to the
Punjab. I do want to go there, but I cannot say when. As soon as I
finish my work here, I want to go once again to Noakhali. If Hindus
and Muslims do
not unite, we cannot steer our vessel to it ultimate destination.

\par ``A Muslim friend told me that Hindus and Muslims cannot be one,
for whereas the Muslims believe in one God only, the Hindus worship
trees, stones and animals. If this is so, it is a still better
argument in favour of unity, for all these have been created by God
and hence we worship them. Particles are mixed with particles. God
is only one. His creation is manifold. What I have been able to
achieve in my old age you should try to stabilise.''

\par The people were standing in silence in pouring rain to hear
Bapu. He asked their pardon and said, ``That you have chosen to stand
in such heavy rains shows the intensity of your regard for me. I
feel ashamed of sitting in comfort whilst you are being drenched. I
am convinced that true love never harms any one. I request you to
kindly forgive me.''

\par Bapu did his spinning after returning from the prayer meeting.
He discussed the Punjab situation with some Muslim leaders. He took
his walk at ten and went to bed at 10-30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion,
26-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Last night Bapu did not sleep properly. He woke at 1 o'clock
and put on the light. This woke me up. Bapuji asked me to go to
sleep and himself started dealing with arrears of work. He worked up
to 1.30 a.m. and then lay down. I pressed his legs, back and head.
Bapu said, ``I am very much dejected. How can I convince others if I
cannot convince my own people? But one who has dedicated his all to
God should not worry. This shows that
perhaps I have not got complete faith in God. If I can develop that
faith, if I can be ``sthitapradna''\footnote{The man who attains equanimity of
mind.}, I shall simply dance with joy. I have been striving for it but it
demands patience.''

\par Bapuji slept at 2. a.m. and woke up again at 3.30 a.m. for
prayers. He did not sleep again after prayers but started to work.
He went for a walk to the Harijan Colony. Having returned from there
at 8.30 he took massage and bath. Interviews started at 9.45. Shri
Kakasaheb was the first and he had nearly an hour's talk with Bapu
during the latter's meal. Bapu then relaxed awhile. As he had no
sleep last night he slept from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The Bengal Ministers remained
with him up to 2 p.m. After this, Bapuji gave some dictation from his bed. He
went to attend the prayer meeting at 5 p.m.

\par In his prayer speech Bapu said, ``Those who have left their
houses must return to them. The police must execute their duties
properly. They should make no distinction between a Hindu and
Musulman. I have received complaints from Hindus that Muslim
officers do not pay any attention to them, and from Muslims that
Hindu officers neglect them. This should not happen.

\par ``The Anglo-Indians complain that during the British regime they
were accepted as semi-English; but today they are being insulted.
They asked me whether or not the Swaraj Government would protect
them. It would be a different matter if these people were invaders.
It is for the Government to meet such an invasion. The people cannot
deal with it on their own. But if they cast in their lot with
Indians, no one should insult them. There should not, any longer be caste or
communal distinctions. Let us all be Indians. Let us all live and die for India
together. If we achieve this, the whole world will follow our footsteps.''

\par Shaheed Saheb spoke about communal unity. He then referred to
the harassment caused to Bapu by the shouting of noisy slogans and
blocking the path of his car. He added, ``All have been shouting
national slogans since the advent of freedom. It is very good, but
Gandhiji's ears cannot tolerate the noise. You should therefore
preserve calm.''

\par After the prayer, we went to the Jadavpur T. B. Hospital. It
being impossible to visit each patient individually, we visited only
those who were serious. A few patients who could walk had assembled
in a corner. Bapu gave them a common message: ``May God save you.''

\par On returning home, Bapu wrote some important letters. He took
half an hour's walk at 10 p.m. Being extremely tired, he took only
milk and fruit.

\begin{flushright}
Beliaghata,
27-08-1947
\end{flushright}

\par As usual woke up at 3.30 a.m. After prayers Bapu began writing
letters. He found time for writing only in the morning. The rest of
the day he was busy meeting visitors. This left him no time either
for reading or writing. Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Bapu followed his
daily routine of interviews, rest, meal, application of mud-plaster,
and spinning. Prayers were held at 5 p.m. at the Khidirpur grounds.
Khidirpur is a labour area.

\par Addressing the labourers, Bapu said, ``Labourers must not fight
among themselves. Worshipping an
idol or repeating the Namaz is a personal affair. There should be no
distinction made, on a communal basis in payment of wages. Greater
skill would earn more. But I would like the employer to be himself a
labourer, and a trustee of labourers. This is my ideal.

\par ``The labourer has no need to live in helpless poverty. While
employer's wealth is his money, the labourer's his hands and feet.
Money can always be lost, yet the labourer retains his ability to
earn his livelihood. Still, he insists on considering himself poor.
But he must understand that the profits of crores of rupees are a
result of labour, just as drops of water form the ocean through
which vast vessels sail. A big top-flight engineer is as much a
labourer as is a driver. All the labourers should unite and fix
reasonable wage for themselves, and then tell their employers that
they would require nothing more if they got good simple food --- 
including milk, fruit etc., if their children were given education,
and if they were supplied with well-lighted and ventilated house to
live in. If this is effected it will unite the whole world. But if
labourers insist that a Hindu labourer must have a Hindu employer,
they will never be able to rise, nor will they be able to improve
their employer. I think of myself as a farmer, a labourer and a
Harijan.''

\par Shri Suhrawardy spoke about communal unity and appealed to all
the people to work under one flag. Accepting the responsibility for
the insanitary conditions prevailing in the labour area, he said,
``This filth has been here for years. It was my duty to remove it
during my Premiership. But I am sorry to say that Hindu-Muslim riots
broke out within two months of my being installed as Premier. I
could do nothing. But you must have patience. Things will be all right
soon.'' As this was a predominantly Muslim area he explained the
importance of the slogan ``Jai Hind''.

\par We returned home at 9 p.m. Bapu took some rest, ate fruit and
milk, had a walk, discussed certain matters with Shri Suhrawardy and
went to bed at 10.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
28-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Prayer at 3.30 a.m. Bapu wrote articles for the Harijan and
dictated some letters. He wrote a long letter to Jawaharlalji. He
went for a walk at 7 a.m. During his meal he had letters read aloud
to him and dictated replies to them. He then took some rest. It was
past noon by this time. He then had a discussion with Shri
Suhrawardy. Representatives of various bodies came for interviews
one after another. Today's prayer meeting was held at the Science
College.

\par Bapu addressed the boys and girls as follows:

\begin{quote}
\par My association with students goes back to several years when
any of you were not born. Hence I am no stranger to you. Your
Vice-Chancellor had complained to me that you are undisciplined. It
is a good thing to accept some one's control willingly. Every one
should accept his teacher's control. Far from being degrading, it
will lead to self-restraint. He is no student who does not practise
self-discipline. According to Hinduism, a student is a brahmachari
and should lead the life of a sannyasi. The fourth stage of life
later on is also that of a sannyasi. He alone can follow the
instructions of his guru who has obtained control over his senses.
Your Vice-Chancellor has taken his seat below. What did Shri Krishna do
at the beginning of the Mahabharat War? Won over by love, he had
accepted the position of a charioteer.

\par I was not prepared for what I see here today. You have written
abusive words for Shaheed Saheb on this board, which you have placed
in front of me. The abuse, moreover, is in a foreign language. But
you should understand that your asking him to go away is as good as
telling me to do so, for we have now become partners. An insult to
him is an insult to me. The Vice-Chancellor requested me to hold
prayers here. But how can I come without my partner? You have
insulted Shri Suhrawardy which is as good as insulting me, insulting
your Vice-Chancellor and insulting your teachers. It is the duty of
students to welcome an invited guest, whether they like him or not.
I have studied the Bible, the Kurane Sharif and our Hindu
Scriptures. All these give the same message, namely, that you must
obey one who imparts knowledge to you --- no matter whether you call
him Teacher, Guru or Moulvi. If you do not want to obey him you
should leave the school. A student should be humble, should remain
unmarried, and keep away from carnal pleasures. I believe that
students should one day hold the reins of the country. But if
students, who are blind with sensuality, impertinent, addicted to
smoking and drinking, are placed in charge of government, it would
prove to be a disaster for the country.
\end{quote}

\par Bapu requested Suhrawardy to abstain from making a speech today,
as the students were in an excitable frame of mind.

\par We returned home at 9 p.m. Bapu wrote out his lecture and had a
discussion with Shaheed Saheb. He took a walk at ten and went to bed
aft 10.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
29-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Bapu woke up today at 2.30 a.m. He started on his writing at
once as things had accumulated. The rest proceeded according to
routine from 3.30 onwards. It included interviews, writing, rest
etc. between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

\par Today's prayer meeting was held at 5 p.m. at Toli Ganj. ``Vande
Mataram'' was sung at the end of the prayer. Bapu referred to this
and said, ``All had stood up during the recital of ``Vande Mataram''.
Shri Suhrawardy asked me if he too should stand up. I advised him to
do so as his not doing so might be misunderstood.

\par ``But this is an English custom. Our custom is to sing in a
straight sitting posture. We praise our mother land. ``Vande Mataram''
does not belong to any particular sect. It has something mystic
about it. Many have lost their lives for its sake. But the song must
be set to a uniform tune and a uniform rhythm for the whole of
India.''

\par Bapu spoke a great deal about communal unity also.

\par Some Christians who came to meet Bapu asked, ``The Hindus will stay in
Hindustan and the Muslims will go to Pakistan. But what about us?''

\par Bapu said in reply, ``You would never ask such a question if you thought of
yourselves as part of the four hundred million Hindustanis.''

\par Shri Suhrawardy said to the Muslims concerning the flag: ``If you want to
live as inhabitants of Hindustan you must accept the Tri-colour as your
national flag and salute it. Some one said that I shout ``Jai Hind'' along with
others only through fear but let me repeat to you that I too am a
resident of this country and hence ``Jai Hind'' means much to me as to
the Hindus. It is an old one. But it was not in vogue formerly as
India was undivided. Moreover, I am a resident of the Indian Union.
My uttering of the slogan ``Jai Hind'' is actuated by real faith.
Nobody should have any doubt about me.'' He then appealed to the
people to shout ``Jai Hind''.

\par We returned home at 9.45. p.m. As Bapu had not found any time
during the day, he did his spinning now. He then took a walk and
went to bed at 10.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Beliaghata,
30-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par After prayers, Bapu wrote for the Harijan. He went for a walk
at 6.30 a.m. and then had his massage, bath etc. as usual, and
talked to Mr. Horace Alexander while taking his meal. After he left
at 12 noon, Bapu began his silence and busied himself with writing
matter for the Harijan till 3 p.m. with some rest in the middle.
There were three to five interviewers. The prayer meeting was held
at 5 p.m. at Balasore, which is sixteen miles from Calcutta.

\par Besides the problem of communal unity, Bapu was confronted with
another: ``India is starving. She is in a condition similar to that
of London. But India does not get even sufficient cloth. Must not
the mill-owners supply it?''

\par Bapu said in reply, ``I shall suggest something else. Why should
we beg of anyone? If I were a minister I would advise you to grow
your own food. You can produce your own cloth as well. My
economics gives you the message of sacrifice. Perform it, and enjoy
its fruit. My sacrifice does not mean offering oblations to fire. It
means enjoying the fruits of your untiring labour. If all of us do
labour uniformly and for a sufficient period, the condition of India
will be changed. You must stop growing tobacco and substitute corn
in its place. Noakhali is a golden land. It produces cocoanuts, fish
and rice in abundant quantities. Is it not then a matter for shame
that she should eat rice brought from Karachi? If everyone spins
for his own cloth the mills will automatically close down.

\par We grow cotton in abundance, but no one wishes to listen to me!
We have crores of hands to work, whilst the mills can, at the most,
employ a lakh of people or so. The rest remain idle. But nobody
wants to understand this simple arithmetic.''

\par Shri Suhrawardy once again stressed the need for communal unity.
Having gone in for a very bad cold today, Bapu lay down on his bed
immediately after his return from the prayer meeting.

\begin{flushright}
31-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Prayer and other routine matters were observed from 3.30 a.m.
onwards. Bapu carried on his daily work in spite of his cold. He has
decided to go to Noakhali. He discussed the matter with Shri
Charubabu Choudhari and Pyarelalji who had come to meet him. There
were visitors continuously from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. He went to the
Grand Hotel at 3.30 p.m. The tradition of the Hotel had so far been
that no Indian could enter its precincts. Bapu said in the course of
his talk there, ``I have come here in the capacity of a beggar. I am
not a beggar of recent
standing ; I have learnt the art of begging since my return from
England. We have had to suffer great loss because of our riots. We
must have money to make up for the loss. You might say that the
Government should provide for this. But the Government now belongs
to us. The Ministers of the Government are the servants of the
people and are their representatives. If a bad Muslim or a bad Hindu
commits a crime, we are all equally responsible for it. You should,
therefore, contribute liberally towards relief work.'' Bapu also
pointed out the need for communal unity.

\par Shaheed Saheb appealed for a crore of rupees! He exhorted the
people to establish lasting unity.

\par From there we went straight to the prayer meeting at Bagmari. In
his speech Bapu said, ``We two had gone on a begging mission to
obtain money for you, with a view to rebuilding the houses that have
been burnt down and providing homes for destitutes.'' He then
declared that he proposed to go to Noakhali on the 2nd, and appealed
to the people to preserve perfect peace even during his absence.
Bapu returned home, and after a short talk with Usmanbhai he went to
bed as he had a slight temperature.

\par Bapu had thought of going to Noakhali this month. But he had to
postpone his departure because of the outbreak of communal riots in
Calcutta. He had stayed at Beliaghata in Calcutta and had
established peace in the riot-affected city. One does not know if
Bapu has to face any further test. Since the time Bapuji plunged
into the problem of communal riots everyone was expecting him to
undertake a fast at any moment. During the massacre in Bihar
it was expected every day that Bapu would go on a fast. But God's
ways are different to that of man. Bapu was spared the ordeal of a
fast in Bihar. But the fasting came when it was least expected; the
test of Bapu's Truth was established at the beginning of this month;
he succeeded so well that here has not been any further communal
riot in Calcutta since then, due, of course, to the penance of the
great saint.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}The Storm]{The Storm}

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Calcutta,
31-8-1947
\end{flushright}

\par A wounded man came here tonight. He had fallen down from a tram
and had been injured. But people beat him and forced him to state
that he had been assaulted by Musulmans. Some boys brought him here
in procession at 10 p.m. Bapuji was sleeping. I woke up due to the
noise and went outside. Abhabahen was already there at the door
trying to pacify the crowd. I joined her in pacifying them and said,
``Your noisy demonstration is painful both to the wounded man and
Bapuji. Besides, we cannot hear what you have to say. You may,
therefore, select two representatives from amongst you to explain
matters to Abhabahen, who being a Bengali will understand you fully.
And then we shall communicate your message to Gandhiji.''

\par But it was impossible to check the boys.

\par It was 10 o'clock at night. There were only three of us in the
whole building --- Bapuji, Abhabahen, and myself. Shri Suhrawardy had
gone out. Pyarelalji, Nirmalbabu, and Charubabu --- who had come to
request Bapu to go to Noakhali --- had also gone out. We were busy
preparing for our trip to Noakhali, the following morning. But what
was proposed by man was to be disposed by God.

\par The boys soon increased in numbers. They started breaking
things. Stones were hurled at lamps and window panes, shattering
them to pieces, there were two Musulmans in the house who were our
hosts. The boys wanted to catch and kill them. They were running
helter-skelter.

\par Bapuji had a very bad cold, and he was also observing silence.
He got up and came out. Abhabahen and I were surrounded by the
crowd. But a few among them, kindly disposed, suggested that we go
inside the house. They were trying to save us from the anger of the
crowd. Bapuji in the meantime arrived at the door and we immediately
went to him. Bisenbhai was with us. The crowd mistook him for a
Musulman and tried to assault him. The boys in the meantime saw
Bapuji ; this added to their excitement. They began to shout even
more loudly than before. Bapuji broke his silence and shouted thrice:
``What is all this? Kill me, kill me I say ; why don't you kill me?''
with these words he tried to rush amidst the crowd. We stood in
his way to stop him going. In the meantime one of the Musulmans
staying in the house ran and stood behind Bapu. Seeing him one or
two boys threw brick-bats at him. Fortunately, they did not hit
anyone; otherwise the hands of Hindu boys might have shed Bapu's
blood. When I consider how Bapu ultimately met his death at the
hands of a Hindu, I feel that this incident --- of the 1st September,
1947 --- was an indication.

\par Bapu said with a voice full of extreme grief, ``My God is asking
me where I am? I am extremely grieved. Is this the peace you have
preserved from the 15th of August?''

\par Some of the military force arrived, and dispersed the unruly
boys. Tear gas was used outside the building. We went inside at
about half past twelve. Bapuji called Pyarelal and Charubabu. He
said to them, ``How can I go to Noakhali tomorrow? Do you think it
proper that I should do so now? I do not know what God wills me to
do . But, now, going to Noakhali is out of the question.''

\par In the meanwhile Ministers, including Prafullababu and
Annadababu, arrived. They told Bapu that they were going to arrest
the Hindu Mahasabhaites including Shri\ldots

\par Bapu said, ``You should not arrest them. Throw the responsibility
on their heads. Ask them what they want, peace or riots. Tell them
that you want their help. See what reply they give.''

\par The Ministers went away after being thus advised. It was 12.30
at night, still people were shouting outside and asked where the
ruffian Suhrawardy was hiding. It was not until 1.30 a.m. that the
disturbance subsided.

\par Today is Rakshabandhan\footnote{To tie a thread round the wrist as an
amulet, for protection against evil.} day. Abha and I had tied Rakshas on the
wrists of a number of Muslim and Hindu brethren. Only Bapu had been
left out. He said to us, ``You can tie the Raksha on my wrist also.
There is no difference between a daughter and a sister.'' We then
tied the thread on his wrist as well, and it was in that very night
that the riot took place. We were talking amongst ourselves that if we
were sincere in our tying the Raksha with God as our witness, Bapuji
would come out safely from this ordeal. Abhabahen told me that it
was as much our test as his. Both of us started praying in great
earnest, saying: ``Oh God! let the Raksha that we have tied have
its effect. You alone are the real protector.'' We do not know
whether God heard our prayer or not, but Bapu was protected, albeit
in a different manner.

\par All of us went to bed at almost 2 a.m. Bapu woke us up at 3.30
for morning prayers.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
Monday, 1-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par All this happened at night. We had no idea as to what would
happen the following day, for we were all very anxious regarding the
repercussions of the previous night's incident.

\par After the morning prayer Bapuji wrote letters to Sardar Patel,
Chimanlalbhai, Prabhakarji, Dr. Sushila Nayar, Syed Jahir,
Manibahen, Durgabahen, and Sushila Gandhi. He went for a walk at 7
a.m. The military was posted again, but the people allowed us to
walk in peace. After the walk Bapu took his massage and bath. The
news of the previous night's incidents had spread ; people began to
flock to our residence. A chain of interviews started. Bapuji looked
extremely grieved and serious. He received a telegram from
Jawaharlal to which he replied that he could not start immediately
owing to the previous night's happenings. They were discussed with
different visitors. At 1.45 p.m. Bapuji lay down to rest with a
mud-plaster on his abdomen. He, however, received news that there
had been an
outbreak of riots all over the city including crowded localities
like Badabazar and Bowbazar. News poured in every ten minutes,
adding greatly to Bapu's mental disturbance. Ordinarily, he took
oranges or some other fruit every day at 2 p.m. But when he hear
this disturbing news he refused to take anything. A few Musulmans
who had returned to Beliaghata were attacked, and Nirmalbabu rushed
to their help. He made arrangements to remove the Muslims to the
Mohammedan area in a truck driven by his driver. Someone threw a
bomb --- from above --- on the truck as it passed and two persons were
wounded. When Bapu heard this he expressed his desire to see the
wounded. Abhabahen had gone to the city to meet her uncle. The riots
had started after her departure. She had not returned even at 2 p.m.
Bapu was naturally very anxious about her. He wrote a note to me as
follows: ``You should remain at home. I shall go to see the wounded
with a few others.'' I refused to remain behind. Bapuji, Nirmalbabu,
Shailenbhai (A. P. representative) and I then left the house.

\par It was an awful sight to see blood gushing out of the chests of
the wounded. Their bodies were covered with flies. Their eyeballs
had been cut through. They seemed to be labourers. A four anna piece
was lying near one of them --- it had obviously fallen out of the
waist band of his torn dhoti. We could not bear the sight of extreme
grief on Bapu's face. He was deeply pained at the plight of these
innocent men. Though I could bear the sight of the dead bodies, I
could not bear the pitiable sight of Bapu's face. We returned home
after seeing those two dead bodies. Shri Shailen Chatterjee asked
Bapu what the latter proposed doing and whether he would undertake a
fast. Bapu wrote in reply, ``You have guessed correctly. I am praying
within myself. We have to see whether I receive any light by
tonight.''

\par Just then Abhabahen came back. She had been saved by sheer luck.
Stones had been hurled at her car. She gave us a description of the
city. Today prayers were held inside the house. The song which was
sung gave the message that God never lets down His devotee.

\par Shaheed Saheb, N. C. Chatterjee and many others came while we
were praying. All of them reported on the condition pertaining in
the city. They were of the unanimous opinion that the Hindus had
gone mad. But the Muslims too were making preparations for
retaliation on a large scale, though they had not, as yet, broken
the peace so far. One Marwadi gentleman asked if his community could
be of any service.

\par Bapu replied, ``As long as I myself do not take any step, I have
no right to tender any sort of advice to others. I should very much
like to enter the arena of massacre, but people will pursue me with
the intention of saving me. They will not allow me to die in the
fray. Last night when things happened here I wanted to rush to the
place where sticks were being brandished. But these two girls did
not allow me to go. The love that the people bear towards me will
stand in the way of my going. Still, I would advise you to go where
you can exert your influence and try to pacify the people, for I
think that you will be able to assert yourselves in the areas where
you have been running your big shops. If, however, they try to kill
you, you should be ready to die.'' Some persons suggested that the
Sikhs had created the whole trouble by avenging themselves for the
Punjab atrocities.

\par Bapu said, ``People do not understand that those who avenge shall
themselves be avenged. I do not know what is to come. I am in the
hands of God.''

\par Bapu had five motions today, perhaps as a result of his
disturbed condition of mind. When I asked him what he would eat he
wrote in reply, ``It is impossible for me to eat anything in this
condition of grief. Even my eating in the morning was a mistake.
There is no end to human folly. That is why man has to suffer.''

\par After the visitors had departed, Bapu took a stroll. Then, he
took some hot water with glucose. He did not eat anything. Then came
the statements. Shri Shyamaprasad Mukarji also issued his statement.
Rajaji came at 10 p.m. He left at 12 midnight, after a closed-door
discussion with Bapuji and a few others.
Abhabahen and I considered the possible result of these
deliberations when we were overcome by sleep. When Rajaji left at
midnight, Bapuji woke us and said, ``You should not prepare any food
for me from tomorrow onwards.'' Being aroused from sleep we looked at
him in consternation. We did not immediately understand what he
meant. I then asked, ``But why Bapuji?'' Bapu replied, ``I am starting
my fast tomorrow.''

\par Abhabahen asked, ``For how many days?'' Bapu replied, ``There is
no fixed limit ; fasting will continue until peace is established. I
shall take nothing but water. I may use soda-bi-carb or lemon, if
necessary. I shall succeed or I shall die. I cannot but die if peace
is not to come.''

\par Abhabahen and I just started at each other. We had never before
had occasion to nurse Bapuji during a fast. There was no one whom we knew.
Bapuji said, ``It is now your responsibility. Keep yourselves fit. Be regular in
food, exercise and sleep. Then alone shall you be able to nurse me.''

\par Citing Ba's example he said, ``Ba used to take great care of her
health especially during my fasts, as she had to nurse me. You too
should be very careful. There is no reason to be scared. Yours is
the principal responsibility.'' After this we slept again at 12.30 a.m.

\par Among today's visitors were Shri Aryanayakam, officers from
Bihar who had come to discuss the affairs of their State, Shri Shyamaprasad,the
Secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha, Marwadi gentlemen, Pyarelalji, Charubabu, and
Kshitishbabu. Rajaji was the last to arrive.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}The Fast - I]{The Fast - I}

\begin{flushright}
Beliaghata,
Tuesday,2-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Prayer at 3.30 a.m. and then letters to Sardar, Manibahen and
Rajkumaribahen. Asked me to write to Shri Chimanlal.

\par The song ``Hindi text'' which poet Tagore
had specially composed and sent to Bapuji during his fast (probably
in the Yeravda Prison) was sung today at the morning prayer.
Whatever Bapu wrote today contained only one thought which can be
summarized in these words:

\begin{quote}
\par Disturbance has again occurred here after fifteen days' peace.
How can I go to the Punjab leaving Calcutta now? I was thinking
what my duty was. I very distinctly felt that I had no other weapon except
fasting. This is the time to use it. Hence I have started my fast from 8.15
a.m. yesterday. I cannot say how long it will continue. God will
spare me if He wants to take work from my body in this world. There
can otherwise be no purpose in my living. No one should rush to me.
\end{quote}

\par Shaheed Saheb issued a statement addressed to the Muslim
population of East Bengal appealing to them to remain peaceful. He
made a similar appeal to the Muslims of West Bengal.

\par Rajaji said in his statement, ``I have failed in dissuading Bapu
from undertaking the fast. But I may assure you that if you can
preserve peace he intends going to the Punjab. The women and
children of that province are longing for his darshan. It depends on
you whether or not he goes there. We must save Bapu from this fast.''

\par Volunteers of the Peace Brigade circled the city throughout the
night. News kept coming that the city was still ablaze. Nirmalbabu
gone to the house of Sharadbabu. From there, he will visit the place
where the two boys had started the disturbance. Bapu got up at 8
a.m. Then he took his massage, bath etc. Dr. Dinsha Mehta examined
him. Heart beats were missing at intervals. Four beats were found
missing during nineteen minutes. Dr. Mehta told Bapu that he should
drink more than four bottles of water. (Each bottle was of one
pound). Bapu said, ``Let me see how much I can drink. If only the
name of Rama were to possess my mind, there will be no necessity for
any effort on my part. I am extremely calm today. I would have had
no sleep if it were not so. ``There were heavy rains?as if Nature too
was shedding tears ; everything was full of sorrow. Having finished
enema and bath by 10.30 a.m. Bapu took his usual seat in the room.
He took eight ounces of plain hot water and took a long time to
drink it. Nirmalbabu returned from Sharadbabu's house. He brought
the news ``The disturbance was started by the Sikhs and the Biharis.
Bengalis joined them subsequently. Plundering is still going on on
an extensive scale. They have burnt a Muslim hotel at the Sialda
station.'' Sharadbabu thinks that there is a particular set of people
who are behind all this. He has even got their names. The Hindus
stabbed Shachin Mitra to death when he went to establish peace. Many
others have also been wounded. Bapuji finished drinking his water at
12.30 p.m. taking an hour to do so. He directed that either Abha or
I should remain nearby to render him ready service. (We had, of
course, arranged our turns for being in attendance).

\par It seems Bapuji has now started feeling weak. His voice has
become very low. He examined Shyamaprasad Mukarji's statement at 1
p.m. Then having rested up to 1.30 p.m. he took 8 ounces of hot
water. Bisenbhai brought news that shooting and plundering were the
order of the day in Zakaria Street. What could be done? The
military, who had entered the Masjid, were harassing the people.
Bapuji sent Bisenbhai. We had no provisions in our house. Biamma who
had undertaken to supply us everything, had arranged to send us the
stores, but as shooting was going on on the Sialda Bridge, the car
bringing the provisions had to go back.

\par We read a few letters to Bapuji at 2 p.m. We could hear the
sound of frequent shootings in the afternoon.

\par We received another telegram from Jawaharlal pressing Bapu to go
to the Punjab soon, Bapu said, ``I am now extremely happy within
myself, for I feel that I am doing something worthwhile. I was so
disturbed that I could not even sleep.'' Bapuji slept for three
quarters of an hour while we rubbed ghee to his soles. Shri
Aryanayakam came at 3.45 p.m. Nirmalbabu brought news that the
police were not doing their work properly and that although there
were no murders, looting was going on on a large scale. There was
heavy shooting going on. Prafullababu suggested that the leaders of
the various groups should meet at our place. Bapu need not be
present. They should discuss and decide what steps should be taken.
The Hindi, Urdu and Bengali newspapers should print and distribute
three lakh copies each of Bapu's statement. He hoped that the
situation would come under control. The Sikhs were mainly
responsible for these particular riots.

\par Bapu drank six to eight ounces of cold water at quarter to four.
He took half an hour to drink it.

\par Sharadbabu and Bakshi Hardvarji came at four p.m. The following
is a summary of the former's conversation with Bapu.

\par Bapu: What can we do now?

\par Sharadbabu: Are you allowed to speak?

\par Bapu: I must speak when necessary. Rajaji argued with me for
two hours, but he did not succeed. Being extremely intelligent, he
advanced a number of arguments. But my mind refused to accept any
of them. Rajaji ultimately sent a telegram to Jawaharlal. I told him
that I could not leave Bengal in its present condition. I received
another telegram from Muslims
that I should go to West Punjab instead of going to Noakhali. The
third telegram is from Rameshwari Nehru stating that my presence in
Lahore would relieve the situation. The army had not been able to
achieve anything.

\par Sharadbabu: I was against partition. I have been always frank
with you and speak to you without any reserve. And that is why I
have come here today. I did not come before as I felt that you did
not think me of any use to you.

\par Bapu: Many persons came here and discussed matters with me.
Shri Devendra Mukarji of the Hindu Mahasabha, Shri J. C.
Gupta,Shaheed Saheb and members of the Muslim League came to meet
me. They asked me why I did not send for Sharadbabu, for they were
suspicious that men of the Forward Bloc were responsible for these
riots. I replied that Sharadbabu could come whenever he liked.

\par Sharadbabu: Your prayer speeches seemed to indicate that I was
no longer of any use to you and that I was squandering money like
water.

\par Bapu: In that case it is your duty to remove all doubts from my
mind. Then alone can you be my friend. I address everyone as ``dear
friend'', for he alone is a true friend who deals without any
reserve. Having thus addressed a person as ``dear friend'', I write
everything that is in my mind. Even Shri Suhrawardy says that you
are spending money like water. There was a time when I too was
charged with having misappropriated vast amounts during the movement
in South Africa, and of having deposited a lakh of rupees to my
account in the Bank of India, although the fact has been that I had
never saved a single pie for my self or for my children. But truth
always wins. You
ought to have published your reply to the charge for the benefit of
public, or you could have written to me. I would have immediately
decided the case. This is what true friendship demands.

\par Sharadbabu: Let us now forget the past and come to the main
issue. Have you got anything to say regarding the Forward Bloc?

\par Bapu: The Hindu Mahasabha says that the Forward Bloc is mainly
responsible for these riots. But how can I judge without asking you
to explain?

\par Sharadbabu: You may believe me or not, but I know most of the
members of the Forward Bloc, and although it is very difficult for
me to say so, I would make bold to state that many Hindu
Mahasabhaites are responsible for this situation. I have even got
their names. It is these persons who instigated the Sikhs, telling
them that the Punjab being their home, they should not remain
indifferent. This infuriated the Sikhs.

\par Bapu: I have given only one advice to those who come to see me,
and it is that they should first make their minds clean. I have no
physical strength, but the volunteers of the Muslim National Guard
and the Hindu Mahasabha must go round the area of disturbance
sitting in the same truck or car, or else they should plainly
declare that they want to fight. But why this stabbing in the back?
Moreover, why should the Forward Bloc people charge the Hindu
Mahasabhaites and vice versa? How long can we rely on military help?''

\par Tea was brought in. Sharadbabu was fond of very strong tea.
Bapuji, jokingly, said to him: ``I should throw away such tea; but, perhaps,
strong tea is better than weak independence.'' (There was general laughter at
this.)

\par Sharadbabu: The atmosphere prevailing in Bengal has
deteriorated since the arrival of the armed police from the Punjab.
Does Shri Suhrawardy propose to bring in European soldiers?

\par Bapu: No, not purely European but mixed forces. I told him,
however, that there is difference between his and my way of
thinking. There would be peace if all the volunteers were pure and
clean in heart. But before this can be achieved you leaders must
first see that you are pure in heart. The volunteers will be
inspired by your purity of heart. Your must first clearly declare
what you aim to do ; and then, all of you must start working towards
its achievement. It matters not if any of the leaders die in the
effort. Nay, I shall dance with joy if per chance all the leaders
lose their lives while performing their duty with pure hearts. Only
yesterday, a car carrying refugees was passing on the road, when
some mad man threw a bomb which resulted in the death of two men.
Manu was with me. I told her in writing that I was very grieved. I
told Sitaramji, Vasantalalji and others who had come here, that they
should remain where they were and should die, if necessary, I would,
however, suggest that you meet Prafullababu. He is a Bengali and a
lover of Khadi, Khadi has, however, almost disappeared, for it is a
village industry and all village industries are on the verge of
extinction. Only today I have received a letter from my grandson
Kantilal discussing Khadi. I cannot write him a reply as I have no
strength to do so. I asked Manu to write to him. The letter is in
Gujarati or else I would have shown it to you. If you have the time,
ask her to tell you the contents. Abha being a Bengali can explain to you
how very firm I am getting regarding my thoughts about Khadi. But
this is a digression. We must take out a peace procession; but
remember that nothing can be achieved if we are not truthful. Police
or no police, we must organize the volunteers properly. Let all the
police go away and let there be rivers of blood in Calcutta. I am
confident I can meet such a situation. But you and I shall have to
walk round bare-footed. Nobody should care whether it is day or
night. Such is my mission. But I think that I stand alone in this
way of thinking and I want your help. If you can give it, there is
no reason to quarrel, for we shall then have achieved what we want.
But if you want to fight I am prepared to instal the rioters as
ministers. My men will resign the moment I tell them to do so. The
real method is never to give any cause. Jawaharlal, Sardar and
Rajendrababu used to come every day and ask for orders. But it is
not in me to order anyone. Left to myself I would not import a
single grain of corn or a single piece of cloth from other
countries. I would solve the problem in my own way. But today I am
all alone in this way of thinking.

\par It was 5.15 now and Prafullababu came with other members of the
Ministry. Sharadbabu then rose to take his leave promising to do his
best to maintain peace and look after the volunteers.

\par Bapu: I had myself sent back the military from here. But, unfortunately,
it has come back to protect Shri Suhrawardy, as he is afraid. It was God's
kindness that he was absent on Monday, the 31st. I cannot say what would have
happened if he were here. He had gone home to make preparations for the
Noakhali tour. But now you better leave, lest these Ministers get cross with
you as well as with me. I too might have lost my life on the 31st!

\par Prafullababu: I have nothing to say regarding your having started the
fast from yesterday. But it would have been better if you had informed us and
shown us your statement before you sent it to the Press.

\par Bapu: I too think that you ought to have been informed before
publishing it in the Press. But I saw that things were terrible. I
was considering what my duty should be. Rajaji came. He sat for two
hours. He is a learned and kind person. But none of his arguments
appealed to me. When I undertook a fast in the Yeravda Prison,
Devadas and Lakshmi wept like children, but their tears had no
effect on me. If I had given in I would have failed in my duty. I
drank water by means of a tube at 5.30. If I do not take water I
would not last long. I want to live for a week or so to see peace
established. If, however, nothing happens within a week I see no
chance of peace ever returning to Calcutta, and I do not wish to
live to be a witness to such a state of affairs. It would be better
if God took me away within this period. Rajaji insisted on my taking
lemon juice. But I reckon lemon to be a fruit. [Bapuji was extremely
tired after speaking for so long. He spoke while lying in bed. We
had to keep our ears close to his mouth. This was the result of his
one and a quarter hour's continuous discussion with Sharadbabu.]

\par Prafullababu: I have nothing to say.

\par Bapu: I had already said that Prafullababu would have nothing to say.

\par Prafullababu: Violence has spread all over India. The Hindus
think that Gandhi is their enemy and he is suppressing them. You are
free to fast if I commit any wrong, for you know me.

\par Bapu: All these arguments are of no avail. I had declared in
Noakhali that I shall fast against the Hindus and from today I have
secured the right to fast against the Musulmans as well. My fast now
is for the good of both the communities. If the Hindus decide that
they should keep their old man alive, peace will come of its own
accord.

\par Prafullababu: Efforts are being made here to take revenge of
the atrocities in Punjab. I have phoned Jawaharlalji ; Kripalaniji
is coming tomorrow. The burden of your fast is heaviest on me --- of
all the persons.

\par Bapu: You will die if you consider it a burden.

\par Shaheed Saheb now came. He said that the burden was on both
Hindus and Musulmans, who should, together, go around the city and
try to establish peace.

\par Prafullababu: I am meeting Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims tomorrow.
Shall I ask them to come here or to my residence?

\par Shaheed Saheb: Not there ; in the Minister House.

\par Bapu: Better ask them to your residence, and find out which of
them would like to discuss matters with me. There was a similar
problem during my twenty-one days' fast in the residence of the Ali
Brothers.

\par Prafullababu: I had called a Press conference yesterday and
asked help from them all. I shall suspend a paper if it indulges in
false propaganda. Today there are not as many deaths as yesterday,
but plundering and incendiarism have continued unabated.

\par The Ministers left at 6 p.m. after this talk. Shri Shyamaprasad
Mukarji had arrived in the meanwhile.

\par Bapu: Are you well?

\par Shyamaprasadji: How long will you continue the fast?

\par Bapu: Conditions have not improved. I am out to die. When I
cannot do anything by going personally amidst the crowds, I must do
something else ; this is the only solution. I am absolutely calm.

\par Shyamaprasadji: But people in general are longing for peace so
that they can get back to their usual life. Some people who have
come from Dacca tell us that there too the atmosphere has been
affected. The train was late by three or four hours, and rioting may
start at any moment.

\par Bapu: If things continue here like this, any thing might happen
there also. I have not the slightest doubt about this.

\par Shyamaprasadji: My people will go around the city from tomorrow
and try to establish peace.

\par Shaheed Saheb: Shri P.C.Ghosh is holding a meeting tomorrow. We
must issue more bulletins about Bapu's fast. The fast must end in two days.

\par Shyamaprasadji: Do you need a doctor?

\par Bapu: There shall be no effort to sustain the body in this fast. I shall
be working up to the last moment. I can work the whole day and the whole night
if I so desire. I have got doctors here, so you need not send another.

\par Rain started again at 6 p.m. We had prayers at 6.30. The song
Vaishnava Jan To* was sung. Both of us were on the point of weeping.
But we did not lose courage. While drinking water at 6.45 p.m. Bapu
had a talk --- of a general nature --- with Shaheed Saheb.

\par I asked Bapuji, ``Will not the country suffer if you die as a
result of this fast? Will there be no fresh outbreak of violence!''

\par He replied, ``Anything may happen. I am in the hands of God.''

\par I asked again, ``Suppose there is peace for a few days and then
again there is an outbreak of violence!''

\par Bapu replied, ``In that case the fast shall be unto death, and
not even water will be taken. I shall not live to see whether there
is peace or disturbance. If I continually repeat this, I shall be
playing false to Truth and Ahimsa which are my God, and I shall not
be able to wash off that sin in births to come.''

\par Abhabahen and I pressed Bapu's legs up to 10 p.m. He drank four
ounces of water thrice during the night and passed urine thrice. He
was restless during the night but, on the whole, passed a good night.

\par Among today's visitors were Sharadbabu, Amiya Bose and
Shashankshekhar. They discussed how far the Forward Bloc was
responsible, and what could be done under the circumstances. The
principal among other visitors were Shri Prafulla Chandra
Ghosh, Annadababu, Nripen Bose, Shyamaprasad Mukarji, N. C. Chatterji,
Daven Mukarji, Major P. Wardhan, Makhanlal Biswas of the Hindu
Mahasabha and Shaheed Saheb. Besides these there were a great many
who came only for darshan.\footnote{``He is a true Vaishnava'': Gandhiji's
favourite song composed by a Gujarati saint-poet Narsimha Mehta.}

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}The Fast - II]{The Fast - II}

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
3-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Bapuji awoke both of us as usual at 3.30 a.m. We brushed our
teeth, had a mouth wash and attended the prayer. The song was Tumi
Bandhu Tumi Nath\footnote{A hymn addressed to God meaning ``You are both,
brother and master''.}. After prayers, Bapu talked to us for a while. He advised
all the co-workers to fulfil their respective duties. He also told Pyarelalji
and Charubabu who had come from Noakhali, ``No one's should stay here for me.
Think of your own duties and execute them as best as you can. This will be the
greatest service rendered me by you.''

\par In the morning Bapu told Dr. Dinsha Mehta: ``I passed the night
without any trouble. I can drink water also. I am enjoying greater
peace of mind during this fast than I ever did during preceding
ones. I do not feel any impatience regarding the termination of my
fast. If this condition continues, I hope to be able to sustain
myself even for a month, in spite of the weakening of the body.''

\par Dr. Mehta interpreted this in a different light and said, ``Yes,
there would be no difficulty if you continue drinking water as at present.''

\par Bapu said, ``What I mean is something else. I feel that God is
with me. What would He have me do? And if His name fills my mind I
would not require even water.''

\par Nirmalbabu had arrived in the meanwhile. He described the
situation in the city. Bapu went for massage at 6.15. Dr. Mehta
examined him. The blood pressure was 98/154. The heart beats were
the same as yesterday. Massage was finished at 8 o'clock . He took
his Bengali lesson and slept for a while during the massage. He
finished his bath at 10 a.m. and went to his usual seat. He seemed
to feel weak while walking.

\par Someone brought the news that looting continued up to midnight
after which there had been peace. Bapu said, ``If looting continued
throughout the day what more could they do after midnight? Must not
goondas too have some sleep?'' He then warned both of us again,
saying, ``I depend exclusively on you two. I can of course do without
you, but now that you are here, I rely upon you. If you fall sick,
it will mean my death.''

\par Mridulabahen phoned from Bihar at 9 a.m. She enquired about
Bapu's health, and informed us that the fast was having a very good
effect on Bihar.

\par Bapu did not have a shave today. He said he would have one only
after the termination of his fast. Referring to his twenty-one days'
fast in the Agakhan Palace, Bapu said, ``I wanted to survive that
fast, which was directed against the despotism of Linlithgow.
Regarding this fast, I do not care whether I
live or die. Of course I hope that peace is established and that I
may be able to live. But this fast will not go beyond ten days.
There shall either be peace within that period or else I shall die.
I know, from personal experience of a number of instances where
ruffians have been converted to peaceful ways. I am a person who has
had occasion to live amongst ruffians.''

\par Bapuji drank eight ounces of hot water at 10.15 a.m. Shri
Tusharkanti Ghosh brought news that the atmosphere in the city was
improving. He said, ``We should like to snap your photo, which will
help us a good deal in our work for peace.''

\par Bapu said, ``I do not want to terminate my fast by making use of
my picture in this way. The fast should end only when the people are
convinced that what they have been doing is wrong.''

\par Shri Surendra Mohan Ghosh, Kiranshankar Roy, a minister of
Orissa and a few others came at 10.30 a.m.

\par At 11 a.m. Bapu scrutinized a few articles for the Harijan.
Shrimati Renuka Roy arrived at 12.30 p.m. Bapu drank cold water. A
few ladies suggested that they should arrange a procession in honour
of Shachin Mitra who had been killed. One of the ladies spoke in
English. Bapu said, ``I do not wish to hear you speak in English. I
am extremely grieved to see that you still use it. You have advanced
a number of arguments in support of taking out a procession. What
does it matter that he died in the cause of communal unity? Suppose
I die and you want to carry my body in a procession. If I could then
speak, I would surely tell you that you should not do so but should
bury me here.''

\par Bapu spoke with great sorrow and displeasure. In the end, we
persuaded the ladies to leave. After their departure Bapu rested for
a while. Rajaji phoned to say that students were trying to restore
peace in the city, and that their slogan was ``Down with goondaism''.

\par Bapu started to dictate an article for Harijanbandhu to me. At 2
p.m. he fell into a nap for a few minutes. Sharadbabu phoned to
enquire about Bapu's health and to inform us that he was trying his
level best to restore law, order and peace.

\par We could hear the noise of a procession. A Muslim gentleman came
and said that bullets fired from the Hospital at 9 o'clock had
wounded four persons and killed four or five others. He requested
Bapu to send his men to inquire into the matter.

\par Bapu said, ``Am I not doing my best to stop the riots? That is
why I have undertaken this fast.''

\par The Muslim gentleman said, ``God forbid that anything should
happen to you. If so, a great catastrophe will befall us.''

\par Bapu said, ``You need not explain all this to me.''

\par While Bapu was sitting up at a quarter to five, he asked, ``What
tree is this?''

\par I replied, ``It is the Litchi tree.''

\par ``Is there no Neem tree here?''

\par Abhabahen replied, ``Oh, yes, we have got one.''

\par Bapu said, ``You should both eat Neem leaves. Ba survived because
she ate those leaves. I was her doctor in South Africa. There was no
one else. I used to pluck Neem leaves, extract the juice, and make
Ba drink it. On the thirteenth day Ba told me that she was feeling
hungry and would like to eat
something. I gave her fruit. Gradually I started giving her banana
and groundnut cake. She ate them. I then took her to Capetown. I did
not give Ba or the children any milk, for I had seen the cruelty
practised on milch cattle in Calcutta. I stated that it was quite
possible to live without milk. But at Sabarmati, Santokbahen argued
that milk gave lustre to children, so I started giving them milk.

\par ``I used to read the Ramayana to Ba ; she did not understand the
Gita. She did however, understand the Ramayana. She read it in her
own way, and when trying to sing the couplets she was always out of
tune.''

\par Bapu laughed over this last remark of his. The talk concerning
Ba continued for some time. Bapu has been feeling the loss of Ba
very much! This is his first fast after her death.

\par One or two persons suggested that they would like to stay with
Bapu in order to render him service whenever he required it. Bapu in
order to render him service whenever he required it. Bapu said, ``You
need not stay here to serve my body. If you really wish to serve me,
you should go to the areas where riots are going on and try to
establish peace. That would indeed be real service in my opinion.''

\par A joint procession of both Hindus and Muslims started from
Beliaghata at 6.30. The processionists rushed inside to have Bapu's
darshan. He said, ``I shall stand in front of the window while you
pass by if you preserve complete silence and do not shout slogans.''
The leaders of the procession said, ``We cannot take that
responsibility. It will be troublesome for Gandhiji if someone
shouts a slogan.'' Hence two Hindu and one Muslim leaders of the
procession came in to meet Bapu. The Muslim friend was weeping. He
said, ``Please give up your fast. We were
with you in the Khilafat fight. I take the responsibility of seeing
that no Muslim in this locality creates any disturbance.'' The Hindu
leader also promised to preserve unity. It was thus on the evening
of the second day of the fast that the foundation of the hope for
peace was laid by Hindus and Muslims by pledging themselves to Bapu.

\par Bapu replied, ``I cannot terminate my fast unless the whole of
Calcutta fulfils the condition which I have placed before you all. I
have taken to fasting with God as my witness. God will preserve me
and will guide you on to the right path if He wants me to render
still greater service. Moreover, my fast can terminate only if the
feelings that you have expressed today are also evident in the minds
of goondas as well. My breaking the fast merely at your behest will
mean that I have forgotten my God.'' These words satisfied the
leaders. Bapu encouraged them to work with greater zeal. We had
prayers at 7 o'clock. Bapu then had the article for Harijanbandhu
translated. Rajaji came at 7.15. He said, ``There is more peace in
the city today. The people as well as the military are trying to
protect the people of both the communities.''

\par Shri Kripalani, Lohia, Prafullababu and others came at 8
o'clock. They brought some letters from Delhi. Rajkumaribahen wants
Bapu to go to the Punjab. Bapu said to Prafullababu: ``I will write
to them that the Chief Minister of Calcutta does not permit me to
leave this place. (Laughter). How then can I go to the Punjab? You
should not force the people to preserve peace merely for the sake of
saving my life. I want to survive only if they can be persuaded
without pressure, and they allow me to
live with real conviction in their hearts ; otherwise it is better
that I die, as death in that case will be more precious to me. Why
should we be afraid of death, who alone is our true friend?''

\par Bapu slept at 9.30 p.m. He took five ounces of water twice
during the night. Usually Bapu slept on the floor, but from today he
started sleeping on a wooden charpoy.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}The Miracle of Calcutta]{The Miracle of Calcutta}

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
Thursday, 4-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Today is the fourth day of Bapu's fast. He got up as usual at
3.30 a.m. for prayers. The song Charan Kamal Bandaun\footnote{Lord, I worship
your lotus-fect.} was sung. Bapu slept again at quarter to six and got up at
six o'clock. He drank six ounces of hot water. He took massage, enema and bath,
etc. between 6 and 9.45 a.m. He slept for a while during the massage. He drank
hot water again at 9.45 after which he slept again for 45 minutes. Today he is
feeling weaker and has a lower blood pressure. The pulse is rapid and he feels
giddy when he stands up. Drops of oil with garlic were put into his ears to
relieve the queer sensation he felt. His voice has become very low. God alone
knows when he will come out of this ordeal.

\par While in this state of health, Bapu issued a statement that
nobody should rush to his bedside. Shri S. P. Abdulla of Noakhali
arrived at 10.45 a.m. Bapu said, ``How wonderful! I was just wondering how I
could arrange to meet him, when he has arrived of his own accord.'' Bapu talked
to him for 5 or 7 minutes. He again started his work for the Harijanbandhu.

\par At 12 noon came a party of 35 goondas. Dr. Sinha was with us. He
requested Bapu not to talk. Bapu stated that he would continue his
talks in the fulfilment of his mission even up to his last breath.
The 35 men confessed that they had committed murders and asking to
be pardoned requested Bapu to terminate his fast. It is impossible
to describe in words this wonderful sight. It could only be
understood by those who actually saw it. It was a vivid picture of
the victory that a small frail human being had been able to achieve,
through sheer love, over goondas who always perpetrated inhuman
crimes. On one side was Bapu lying on his bed with his emaciated
body, while opposite to him were able-bodied but shame-faced men
requesting Bapu, with folded hands, to terminate his fast!

\par Bapu said, ``This alone is not enough for the termination of the
fast. All of you must go to the Muslims and offer your services to
them. As the Muslims are a minority here they must be protected. I
shall break my fast only when my mind tells me that you are
protecting them, and that permanent peace has been established.''

\par At 2 o'clock a leader of the goondas named \ldots who had
instigated riots in Barabazar, came to meet Bapu. He confessed all
his crimes and promised to hand over all his weapons to Bapu. He
posted two of his boys to guard each of the Muslim shops. Then at
3.30 p.m. came a third party. The leader of this party also confessed his crime
and said, ``Punish me. I and my whole party are ready to suffer any punishment
that you may give, but please break your fast.''

\par Bapu said, ``My only punishment for you is that you should go to the
Musulmans and serve them. I shall end my fast the moment I am convinced that
your hearts are genuinely changed. But you have to work with speed, for I am
impatient to go to the Punjab. My desire to live is due to my impatience to go
to the Punjab. If you delay your mission, I shall not be able to sustain myself
very long.''

\par Sir Radhakrishnan arrived at 4 p.m. He bowed low before Bapu and took his
leave after saying these few words, ``May God give you life for the sake of the
country.'' Many people kept coming for darshan up to 5 p.m. At 5.30 I received a
note from Rajaji stating that there was peace in the city and that the
atmosphere was full of joy. He would come to meet Bapu at night. Bapu was happy
to read this note. After 5.40, he slept for a few minutes. He was extremely
tired. At 6 p.m. Shri Surendra Mohan Ghosh, N.C.Chatterji and Shaheed Saheb
arrived with representatives of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. One of Sikhs said,
``Kindly break your fast. We shall take the responsibility for whatever happens
henceforth.'' All the others also promised in a like manner. Bapuji spoke for
twenty-five minutes. He said, ``I have had a passion for Hindu-Muslim unity
since I was a child of twelve. This activity of mine is not of recent origin,
it is for years that I have been doing it. I worked at it even during my stay
in England. How can I then give it up now? You might not be aware of it, but
my grandson Kantilal has written to persuade me to take up the Constructive
Programme. He feels that I should not continue my work for unity any longer. I
wrote to him just today that this work is not of recent origin, and
that if I give it up now, I cannot possibly do any constructive work.
You argue that these riots are not communal, but they are the work of
goondas only. Are we not responsible for the existence of the goondas
? They cannot come into being of their own accord. I had two goondas
with me at Rajkot. I took them to South Africa. They were ultimately
improved and saw their mistake and when they came to meet me again at
Sabarmati, they told me that they were no longer goondas. Thus, we
ourselves are the makers and redeemers of the goondas. They cannot do
anything by themselves. You request me to break my fast because of
your love for me. Even the rioters came to request me to pardon them.
I want to end the fast as quickly as I can, not because I wish to
prolong my life but because my heart is in the Punjab. Jawaharlal has
sent me telegrams. But I have not the courage to go to the Punjab
leaving Calcutta in the state as it is. I now ask you two questions:
\begin{enumerate}
\item Are you in a position to assert that there will never again be a
recurrence of disturbance in Calcutta?
\item If there be disturbance again are you sure that you would not come to
report it to me, but that I shall only hear the news of the death of all of
you?
\end{enumerate}
What I mean is that before the disturbance starts would you go and tell the
rioters that they should kill you before they touch others? Failing
this, I shall have to fast unto death as I had declared in Bihar. I
do not want to be deceived. If you are not honest in you intention to
help me you will be driving me to death. I want your honest reply to
this.''

\par Shaheed Saheb argued, ``Suppose we die, why should there be any
need for you to fast unto death? Is it proper that you should take
such a vow?''

\par Bapu: ``For the simple reason that it is the gentlemen goondas
who are the real creators of trouble. A big city like Calcutta is
bound to have many thieves and plunderers. God has not yet given me
the power to win them over. But Hindu-Muslim unity has been my
passion since my childhood. What I mean is that there should no
longer be any more Hindu-Muslim riots in Calcutta in spite of the
worst sort of situations in other parts of the world. I shall
terminate my fast if all of you accept this responsibility and give
it to me in writing.''

\par This long talk exhausted Bapu. He started uttering Rama, Rama.
He was feeling giddy and extremely restless. Abhabahen and I had
been supporting him. He tried to lie down one moment and got up the
next. He kept counting the rosary. All the visitors went to another
room to decide what they should do. The leaders among them were
Rajaji, Kripalani, Prafullababu and Shaheed Saheb. After an hour's
discussion Nirmalbabu was the first to come in. All the leaders had
given in writing that peace would be preserved in Calcutta, and that
they would take the responsibility if anything untoward were to
happen. They were prepared to die before any one else. The paper was
signed among others by Shri N.C.Chatterji, Suhrawardy, Surendra
Mohan Ghosh, Sharatchandra Bose, Sardar Niranjansinh, Devendra Nath
Mukarji and R.K. Zaidka. The following was the exact wording:

\begin{quote}
\par We, the undersigned, promise to Gandhi that peace and quiet
have been restored in Calcutta once again. We shall never again allow communal
strife in the city. And shall strive unto death to prevent it.
\end{quote}

\par This document was signed by the above mentioned persons. After
this, Bapu directed that we arrange a prayer. There was the usual
prayer with the singing of the song: ``Hindi text'' and the recitation of
Ramanama. Shri Suhrawardy then offered
Bapu a glass containing one ounce of sweet lemon juice exactly at
9.15 and having bowed down to him in the Hindu style burst into
tears. Before drinking the juice, Bapu spoke a few words in Hindi.
He said, ``I want to say something to you before I break my fast,
which I am doing, as I desire to do something for the Punjab also.
This fast is being broken solely because of my trust in you. I have
not taken any other factors into consideration. It would be
extremely bad, if there is anything for which I shall have to repent
later. Of course, I would like to live. Many people tell me that it
is better that I live as they feel that I shall then be able to
render greater service. I have enough vitality left to live and I
would live. I do not wish to be caught in a trap knowingly. I expect
that all the Hindus and Musulmans who are present here would see
that I have no occasion to fast again. Rajaji asked me the very
first day whether I had any hope when undertaking the fast. I
replied that I would not be allowed to carry on the fast very long.
It is three days now ; it could as well have been thirty days!

\par ``And still I want to warn you once again lest you sleep over
today's decision. It will have its effect on Noakhali as well as on
the Punjab. There are turbulent Muslims in Noakhali. If things take
a nasty turn here, how can I stop them there? Calcutta is the key to the
peace of the whole of Hindustan. You may earn wealth if you want; you may
build mansions for yourselves if you like, but Calcutta should have
no more disturbance even if the whole world were reduced to ashes.
May God endow you with the ability to think wisely. These girls have
just sung the couplet which prays to God to bestow on all the power
to do the right thing.''\footnote{The couplet, ``text in Hindi''}

\par When, after these words spoken in Hindi, Bapu started drinking
the juice, all the people uttered simultaneously the name of
Narayan. The atmosphere was at once filled with joy. I ran to phone
the persons concerned, but I could not get my turn on the phone. It
was after half an hour that I got a chance to use it ; I
communicated the good news to Manibahen Patel, Rajkumaribahen and
others. Needless to say that all of them were most pleased to hear
what I had to tell them.

\par Bapu said to Rajaji, ``I wish to start for the Punjab tomorrow.''
Kripalani objected to his leaving so soon. Shaheed Saheb suggested a
compromise, saying, ``How can you go away without attending a public
prayer meeting? If we arrange one tomorrow people will crush you
with affection. Let us hold it the day after.''

\par At ten o'clock at night many persons came with their weapons ---
rifles, cartridges, bombs etc. Bapu looked at them with interest,
and asked the owners if they were in the least sorry to surrender
them. They replied that they were not.

\par Bapuji slept at 11.30 p.m. We heaved a sigh of relief at the
dispersal of the dark clouds which had gathered during the seventy-three hours
of the fast, and expressed our sincerest gratitude to God.

\chapter[\hspace{2ex}Left Calcutta]{Left Calcutta}

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
Friday, 5-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Bapu passed the night without any undue discomfort. He joined
us for prayers at 3.30 a.m., after which he took some falooda, hot
water and glucose. He then slept again and got up at 5.45 a.m. He
read some letters. Abha and I were so happy today --- being relieved
of a great responsibility --- that, in accordance with our usual
practice of eating and working together, we went to drink our
morning coffee together. It was only after we had finished that we
realized that Bapu had been left all alone. As soon as we returned,
he laughed and said, ``Do not imagine that I have regained my former
strength so quickly. Either of you should remain with me. I would
like it if most of my work were done by you two. In Noakhali, Manu
did all my work including correspondence, accounts and personal
service. Now that you both are with me I would like to divide the
work between you two.''

\par Bapu went through his usual routine of massage, bath etc.
between 6.30 and 9.35 a.m. after which he took some soup and mashed
vegetables. By the time he finished his meal, more rioters had come
to surrender their weapons to him. Officers receiving salaries worth
thousands had been employed to catch them, but they were now caught
and brought to Bapuji by the power of his love. Some were large weapons like
stenguns and spears. Others were rifles, knives, cartridges and bombs.

\par In the afternoon Bapu went through Nirmalbabu's article for
Harijan regarding the fast. Shaheed Saheb came to consult Bapu as to
what he should do. Bapu advised him that he should overcome greed
for power if he really wanted to be redeemed. Shrimati Renuka Roy
requested Bapu for a message to students. He had the sentence ``My
life is my message'' translated into Bengali and gave it to her. At 4
p.m. he had a mud-plaster put on his abdomen and lay down to sleep.
He got up at 5 p.m. after nearly an hour's sound sleep. He then
discussed Ashram matters with Aryanayakamji. An Agarwal gentleman
who was doing mill-store business in Calcutta came and said to Bapu,
``You have broken your fast, but you have been deceived. There is no
peace anywhere in the city. The two communities do not enter each
other's localities. Trams and buses are not plying. Where then is
peace?''

\par Bapu said, ``Give me all this in writing, as I shall be happy if
what you say is proved to be true. I shall undertake a fast unto
death, and those who affixed their signatures yesterday will thus be
proved false.''

\par Kripalaniji came after the prayer. Bapu told him of the above
and added, ``Please tell the signatories that if they signed the
paper merely to save my life, they will not succeed. The leaders
must be very careful. If there are riots again in Calcutta I shall
fast until death, wherever I be.''

\par After this came Shri C. R. Das' daughter. Bapu casually told her
during the conversation, ``I have a greater responsibility now. If anything
happens in Calcutta all of you will prove to be my murderers.''

\par Bapu did a lot of work throughout the day. His weight today was
113, the same as it was before he started the fast. It seems that
there is an accumulation of water in his stomach.

\par Having sent a telegram to Jawaharlal telling him to reach Delhi,
we went to bed at 9.30 p.m.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Beliaghata,
Saturday, 6-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par After the morning prayer at 3.30 a.m. Bapu compelled both of us
to sleep. He had taken castor oil. He made us sleep and walked to
the commode by himself. He did not wake us although he was not yet
fit to stand the exertion. He started to feel giddy soon and woke
Abhabahen. She saw that Bapu's eyes had begun to go in ; she shouted
for help. I rushed to him and Bisenbhai also came with Dr. Mehta.
All of us helped Bapu to his bed. ``If I succeed in implanting
Ramanama in my heart, I shall not be required to seek anybody's help
like this. I have not attained it still, but I have been trying for
it.'' were his words.

\par He had his usual programme of bath etc. between 8 and 10 a.m. He
ate vegetables, soup and two thin chapatis. He has not yet started
taking milk.

\par Dr. Sushila Nayar arrived from Delhi at 1 p.m. and she conveyed
the news of the terrible plight of the Punjab, the Wah camp and
Delhi city. Bapu rested between 1.30 and 2 p.m. Interviewers started
calling on Bapu. There was a big crowd of people who had assembled
for darshan. Bapu went to the Monument ground for prayer. There was a vast
assemblage and it was raining.

\par Bapu said in his prayer speech, ``My breaking the fast makes it
imperative that all of us be much more cautious now. Let us work
with God as witness. Bengal must remain calm, even if the whole of
Hindustan is reduced to ashes. If you can preserve your sanity I
shall work a miracle. It would be wonderful if the Muslims and
Parsis are as free to read the Koran and the Zend Avesta as the
Hindus in Bengal are to read the Gita, to recite the Gayatri and
perform sandhya. The miracle which you showed on the 14th of August
was of your making, not of mine or of Shaheed Saheb's. It is as if
we simply ate the food which had been already prepared.

\par ``You will keep me alive, if you keep peace. I have come here
today to bid you good-bye. I have received very lengthy telegrams
from the Punjab. I must tell you that I have been an expert in these
matters. I am not indulging in any sense of pride in saying this,
but I have a passion for this work since my childhood. If you revert
to madness after I leave this place, it would be as silly as dancing
on an earthen pot! You should tell me with smiles on your faces,
``You may go from here. You will always hear that Bengal has
preserved peace.'' As to me, my life now is dedicated to the ``Do or
Die'' mission.

\par ``And those who have pledged themselves in terminating my fast,
Shri N. C. Chatterji, Shaheed Saheb, Surendra Mohan Ghosh and
others, shall be the first to die, if anything happens here now. As
to myself I assert that I have never indulged in false flattery of
anyone, nor have I been afraid of anyone. God alone judges all and He shall
judge us too. A person who relies on the judgements of God alone, would never
bother whether the ministers are corrupt or whether they are unjust.

\par ``And even if you want to fight, against whom will you fight?
Against your own brothers? I request those who have weapons to
surrender them. Weapons will not save anyone ; God alone is the
saviour of all, so seek His protection.''

\par Shaheed Saheb said in his speech, ``It is our bad, as well as
good luck. Bad luck, because after nearly three weeks' friendly
co-existence since the fourth of August, we again reverted to riots,
which compelled Mahatmaji to go on a fast. It is our good luck that
we have again united within seventy-three hours and have enabled
Mahatmaji to terminate his fast, and he is now taking leave of us,
leaving behind him an atmosphere of purity.''

\par Having then appealed for peace, he declared, ``I shall now work
according to the instructions of Mahatmaji.''

\par We returned from the prayer meeting at 8.30 p.m. Bapu conversed
with Rajaji for an hour during his spinning, and after some casual
conversation with one or two other persons, he went to bed at 10 p.m.

\par He took four ounces of milk mixed with apple after returning
from prayers.

\begin{flushright}
Haidari Mansion, Calcutta,
7-9-1947
\end{flushright}

\par Prayers at 3.30 a.m., then wrote a few letters. As he was
sleepy he went to bed again.

\par Got up at 6.15 and went for a walk. This being Bapu's last day
in Calcutta we found it very difficult
to stop the crowds of people who kept coming for his darshan. Bapu
finished his massage and bath between 9 and 10 a.m. The crowd
outside was as large as before and the people sat in the hot sun.
Bapu went to the door to meet them. At 10 a.m. he took chapati,
vegetable, milk and fruit in small quantities.

\par Abhabahen and I started packing up for the journey. We had to
collect every little thing of Bapu's daily use. There would be no
end to our plight if we were to lose even a small thing!

\par Bapu started his period of silence and worked for Harijanbandhu
between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Ministers accompanied by Shankarrao
Deo and Kripalaniji came at 1.30. They were with him up to nearly 3
p.m. After this, Bapu rested for some time and then he went out
among the crowds who were waiting for his darshan. He held prayers
on the ground in front of the house at 4 p.m. He spoke only a few
words after the prayer. He appealed to all to preserve peace. There
was much noise as the place was too small to contain the big crowd
of thousands. Moreover, Bapu was extremely tired.

\par At 8.30 p.m. some girls came with garlands and bouquets to bid farewell to
Bapu. A small one from amongst them offered him arati\footnote{Adoration by
encircling the head of the object adored by lights.}. Bapu said to her, ``Child,
put out this lamp and give the whole quantity of ghee therein to some poor man.
How can you waste so much ghee in offering arati to me? The poor do not get a
chance to even see ghee these days.''

\par At 9 p.m. we reached Balipur station. Bapuji walked for a while
as the train was to arrive after some time. Shaheed Saheb and other
Ministers had come to see him off. All of them bowed down to Bapu
and Shaheed Saheb's eyes were wet with tears when the train pulled
out of the platform. That a man like Suhrawardy should shed tears
seems improbable. The sight of someone being stabbed during a riot
might cause grief and bring tears to one's eyes, but the knife of
love prepared by Bapu out of Ahimsa and Satya had melted
hard-hearted persons like Shri Suhrawardy. Such sights are sure to
convince one that his weapons are absolutely infallible.

\par Our train started at 9.30 p.m. sharp. We were on our way to
Delhi. Bapu started on his period of silence once again.

\end{document}