E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi – His Life & TimesChapter XVIITragic VictoryIT was very hot in Bihar in April, and Gandhi could not stand the strain ofextensive travel among the villages. But he would have to go if the Hindus didnot repent and bring back the Moslems who had fled in fear. He received aletter suggesting that he should retire to the forest as Krishna had done; thecountry had lost faith in non-violence, the correspondent stated, and theBhagavad-Gita, moreover, did not teach non-violence. He reported this to hisprayer meeting in Patna.He heard of renewed rioting in Noakhali.Yet, several developments encouraged him. At Gandhi's request General ShahNawaz, a Moslem and hero of the Indian National Army, had remained in Bihar.Shah Nawaz now said that Moslems were returning to their villages and thatHindus and Sikhs were helping them. A Sikh had been invited to a mosque.This information made Gandhi feel that 'if the Hindus were true Hindus andbefriended the Moslems the present all- enveloping fire would be extinguished.'Bihar was a big province. Its example would inspire others. Peace in Biharwould 'dissolve' the trouble in Calcutta and elsewhere. His mother, 'an illiteratevillage woman', Gandhi said, had taught him that the atom reflected theuniverse; if he took care of his immediate surroundings the universe would takecare of itself.Nehru telegraphed Gandhi to come back to Delhi. The Congress WorkingCommittee was convening on May 1 for a great historic decision. Gandhi madethe five hundred-mile trip by hot train.Mountbatten had been extremely active, visiting provinces, talking to leaders,steeping himself in the problem of India's future. As his thoughts crystallized hesaw no escape from Pakistan.www.mkgandhi.org Page 527