 licked by dogs then that I should return to the ashram a broken man.”
With this (salt) I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire
On April 6, 1930 after prayers and a sea bath, Gandhiji defied the salt law by bending down and picking up a lump of natural salt from the Dandi beach. He said: “With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire.” The salt in Gandhiji’s palm became a statement of India’s determination to win freedom. Talking to the thousands who poured out to support him, Gandhiji said: “Now that the technical or ceremonial breach of the Salt Law has been committed, it is open to anyone who would risk prosecution under the Salt Law to manufacture salt, wherever he wishes and wherever it is convenient.” Millions broke the Salt Law. People lined the streets with small packets of salt and sold them to anyone willing to buy for a few coins. At least 95,000 people were arrested. Nehru was thrown in jail on April 14th. (Pic is re shared courtesy: www.simplyknowledge.com)
Are you Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi?
The manner in which Gandhiji was arrested is a testimony to the power of the man and his mission. The District Magistrate along with 30 policemen with rifles and two policemen with pistols broke into the Mahatma’s room like thieves. They woke up the sleeping Mahatma at the dead of night – 12.45 a.m - at Karadi, three miles from Dandi. They did not dare to switch on the light in the room of the frail, unarmed, sixty one year old Mahatma. The magistrate flashed torchlight into his face and asked: “Are you Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi?’ and arrested him. Gandhiji was allowed to say his prayers and pick up a few personal items. He was whisked off in a van to Yerwada jail by 1:10 a.m. The government was afraid of a backlash from the thousands who supported Gandhiji. (Still from the film ‘Gandhi’ is re shared courtesy: www.youtube.com)
Saluting the Rajya Guru
The Dandi March is a great life lesson for all of us – not because of its phenomenal success in the long term but because it teaches the way to truth. When Gandhiji undertook the Salt Satyagraha, he expected prison or death but that did not deter him. He saw it as his dharma. July 12th is Guru Purnima. Who, in your opinion is a true guru? Do you see Gandhiji only as a political leader? Do you regard him as a moral and spiritual guru? Are his values relevant to us today? (Pic is re shared courtesy: www.artween.com)