MAHATMA - Volume 3 (1930-1934) - Mahatma Gandhi

MAHATMA - Volume 3 (1930-1934)
The first batch of satyagrahis numbering seventy-nine hailed from the Punjab,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, U. P., Cutch, Sind, Kerala, Rajputana, Andhra, Karnatak,
Bombay, Tamil Nad, Bihar, Bengal, Utkal, Nepal and Fiji. Among them there
were two Muslims, one Christian and the rest were Hindus, two representing
the untouchables. They all were the active members of the Sabarmati ashram.
The ages of the satyagrahis varied from sixteen to sixty-one, the eldest being
Gandhi.
Except for the children and women and a few grown-up workers, the Sabarmati
ashram was preparing itself to march at the appointed hour. The Gujarat
Vidyapith had suspended its literary activities save for boys under sixteen who
were already under training. The teachers and students had offered their
services as volunteers for the forthcoming struggle. A class for giving a
fortnight's emergency training had been opened. Twenty students and teachers
were selected to precede the first batch of satya- grahis, in order to make
preparations in advance and assist the villagers. They were ordered not to offer
satyagraha till Gandhi's batch was arrested and immediately to replace them as
soon as they were removed. "I am sure that every national institution will copy
the example of the Gujarat Vidyapith," observed Gandhi. "And I hope that the
government and aided institutions will also copy the example. Every revolution
of modern times had found the students in the forefront. The call of 1920 was
for emptying government institutions and bringing into being national ones.
Today the call is for engaging in the final conflict, for the mass civil
disobedience. It will not come, if those who have been hitherto the loudest in
their cry for liberty have no action in them. If the salt loses its savour,
wherewith shall it be salted This I know, that if civil disobedience is not
developed to the fullest extent possible now, it may not be for another
generation. Let them take the final plunge."
On March 6, 1930, Sardar Patel set out for Borsad to prepare the villagers for
the fitting reception of Gandhi and his batch when they would pass through the
district. "Now the die is cast and there is no turning back," he said. "You have to
vindicate Gandhiji's choice of your taluk as the scene of his first experiment in
www.mkgandhi.org Page 30