On 15 August 1947, India became free from the foreign rule. Mahatma Gandhi was in Calcutta. He pitted his whole soul against this madness of communal hatred and tried to calm the angry passions on both sides. Lord Mountbatten hailed Gandhiji as One-man Boundary Force. He wrote : " In the Punjab we have 55 thousand soldiers and large-scale rioting on our hands. In Bengal our forces consist of one man, and there is no rioting. As a serving officer, as well as an administrator, may I be allowed to pay my tribute to the One-man Boundary Force. "
Speaking at Prayer Meeting on 20 July 1947 , Gandhiji said : " I cannot rejoice on August 15. I do not want to deceive you. But at the same time I shall not ask you not to rejoice.Unfortunately the kind of freedom we have got today contains also the seeds of future conflict between India and Pakistan. How can we therefore light the lamps? "
A day before on 14 August, speaking at Marwari Club in Calcutta, Gandhi said : " Tomorrow we will be free from the slavery of British; but from mid-night India will be cut into two pieces."
15 August 1947, Gandhiji spent his day with prayers, fasting and spinning. He did not issue any formal message nor did he attend the celebrations in Delhi. Talking to the group of students, Gandhiji said : '' I am not lifted off my feet by these demonstration of joy. "
Source : Collected Works Of Mahtama Gandhi. Vols : 88 & 89.
mahathma is correct and great.so he is mahathma gandhi.VEERAMANI,T.N
ReplyDeleteGandhiji always wanted to see India free from British rule. It is but obvious to see him sad because of partition issue of India and Pakistan. He did what was correct.
ReplyDeleteThe frail old man, the apostle of non-violence had surprised the erstwhile rulers as what the might of the state could not do, Mahatma Gandhi had almost delivered.
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