In 1916, Congress Session of Lucknow passed a resolution to rescue the poor Champaran farmers and labourers who worked in mills and plantations owned by Europeans. They were made to work in subhuman conditions, cruelly treated and poorly paid. But who would lead the battle? It was no job for an ordinary politician. All looked towards Gandhi who had proven record of South African battle. Gandhi accepted the challenge.
On 10th April, 1917 Gandhi reached Patna. From Patna he reached Champaran via Muzaffarpur accompanied by volunteers. He ordered the volunteers to survey the condition of farmers and labourers. European bosses were chagrined at it. They complained to the British authorities. The administration first asked Gandhi to leave Champaran. When Gandhi refused to comply with the order he was arrested. But he had to be released soon as labourers and farmers had risen in protest. To save the situation the government had to yield. A committee was set up to study the conditions of the labourers and the farmers with Mohandas Gandhi on its panel.
It was Gandhi’s first victory in India.
Mill worker’s strike
In 1918, Ahmedabad mill workers went on strike for their demands. Gandhi found their demands just and agreed to lead the strike provided the strikers stuck to non-violent norm. Vallabhbhai Patel and Shankar Lal Banker assisted Gandhi in the battle.
Some of the mill owners were generous donors to Gandhi ashram but he would not sell the interests of the poor workers.
The strike dragged on for seven days. The workers had reached to their tethers’ end. They had no money for food even. In such desperate situation they decided to capitulate.
When Gandhi heard about it he declared, “If you are hungry than I must also go hungry.”
Gandhi sat on indefinite hunger strike. It worried mill owners. They were forced to reconsider the demands of the workers.
Meanwhile Champaran suffered famine. The farmers could grow nothing. But the government was bent on realising tax from the farmers.
Gandhi again gave a call for Satyagraha against the government.
Due to over work Gandhi fell ill. He started taking goat milk which suited his condition.
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