Page 100 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners

GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners

rout. He asked the country to wait for his signal and the programme of Civil

Disobedience and Non-cooperation, if his talks with the Viceroy failed.

The country was waiting for his signal when the Government struck. Soon after
midnight on the morning of the 9th of August, Gandhi was arrested. So were all

the members of the Congress Working Committee and all the known leaders of

the Congress at the Central, State and District levels. The papers were
muzzled; so no one knew what had become of Gandhi or the leaders. Rumours

spread that Gandhi had been taken to Africa. It was after a day or two that

people came to know that Gandhi had been taken to Poona, and lodged in the
Aga Khan's Palace which had been converted into a special prison. The leaders

in the Working Committee including Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar

Vallabhbhai, and others were lodged in the Fort at Ahmednagar which was

protected by a moat that encircled it. All the leaders who could speak or guide
authentically were taken away and isolated from the people.

A tidal wave of fury swept the country. It seemed as though all restraints gave

way. It seemed as though there was only one objective. Hit back and give the
Government a taste of the fury of the people. Since most of the older leaders

had been removed from the scene, the leaders of the younger generation took

over. No instructions had been formulated or left behind since Gandhi was
waiting to know what would transpire in his talks with the Viceroy.

Hundreds of thousands of processions were taken out in all the States, almost

all towns and villages, in defiance of prohibitory orders. Attempts were made
to hoist the National Flag on the offices and buildings of the Government, and

in public places. The country echoed with the cry "Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai",

"Britain, Quit India". Attempts were made to disrupt communications. Fish

plates and rails were removed. Bridges were blown up. Government buildings
were set on fire. Telephone wires were cut off. Efforts were made to prevent

rail traffic. Students and young men and women were in the forefront of

action. They forced the closure of schools and colleges for months. Many young
men and women were shot down while hoisting the National Flag. There were

indiscriminate arrests, and detention without trial. Those who attempted to

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