Page 87 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners

GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners

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In August 1932, while Gandhi was still in jail, the British Government

announced its 'Communal Award'. The award decreed that henceforth the

'untouchables' or depressed classes of Hindus would have separate electorates.
They would elect their representatives in the Legislatures from among

themselves, and other Hindus (so-called caste Hindus) would have no say in -

determining who would represent people belonging to the depressed classes.
This would mean a permanent separation and isolation of the so-called

untouchables. Gandhi had some inkling of the British plan even during the

Round Table Conference in London. He had then declared that this was a

sinister plan to create a permanent division among the Hindus, and he would
resist it with his life. It would not only be another exercise to divide Indian

society and to continue to rule in the name of irreconcilable differences in

Indian Society. It would also cut the depressed classes out of Hindu society.

This would only perpetuate untouchability. Untouchability is an unmitigated
evil. It has no sanction in Hindu religion. It must go root and branch. But it will

go only when the so-called caste Hindus recognize the sinfulness and

indefensibility of this practice, repent and make amends. There will be no
incentive for the so- called caste Hindus to do so if the 'untouchables' are

removed from Hindu society. The British proposal would therefore result in the

perpetuation of 'untouchability' as well as the division of Hindu and Indian

society. This was a diabolical plan and should be resisted.

On the 13th of September, Gandhi announced that he would go on fast to

arouse the conscience of the Caste Hindus as well as the British Government.

He would commence his fast from the 20th of September, and would give it up
only when there was agreement to give up what was contemplated in the

Award. The country, particularly the Hindu community was shocked, and

shaken into excruciating introspection. Was it not their sinful and inhuman
practices that had forced Gandhi, the Mahatma, to stake his life to arouse their

conscience, and given the British Government an excuse to create and

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