E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi – His Life & Timessets of Harijan candidates, one chosen by Harijans in the primaries, the otherselected by Hindus and Harijans? He wanted no distinctions between Harijans.Nor did he want Harijan legislators to be under any political debt to Hindus.The negotiators were overjoyed. Gandhi was offering Ambedkar more thanAmbedkar had already accepted.Ambedkar appeared at Gandhi's cot late that afternoon, he did most of thetalking. He was ready to help to save the Mahatma’s life, he said. But 'I wantmy compensation.’Gandhi had already commenced to sink. In previous fasts he had taken waterregularly, on the hour. Now he was listless and drank it irregularly. In previousfasts, massage moderated his aches. This time he refused massage. Sharp painsracked his wasting body. He had to be moved to the bath on a stretcher. Theleast movement, sometimes even speaking, gave him nausea.When Ambedkar said, 'I want my compensation,' Gandhi propped himself uppainfully and spoke for many minutes. He mentioned his devotion to theHarijans. He discussed the Sapru scheme point by point. He did not like it, hesaid. All Harijans should be nominated by Harijans and not just some of them,Gandhi declared. Weakened by the effort, the Mahatma subsided to his pillow.Ambedkar had expected to be put under pressure in the presence of the dyingMahatma to recede from his position. But now Gandhi out- Harijaned theHarijan Ambedkar.Ambedkar welcomed Gandhi's amendment.That day, Mrs. Gandhi arrived; she had been transferred from Sabarmati Prisonto Yeravda. As she slowly moved towards her husband, she shook her head fromside to side reprovingly and said, 'Again, the same story!' He smiled. Herpresence cheered him. He submitted to massage by her, and by a professional,more for her sake than because he wanted it.Friday, September 23, the fourth day of the fast, Dr. Gilder, Gandhi's heartspecialist, and Dr. Patel came from Bombay, and in consultation with prisonwww.mkgandhi.org Page 355