The farmers of Khera, Gujarat had suffered from excessive rains, rats and other pests. In 1917 entire harvest was lost due to natural calamities. According to law the revenue should have been waived in view of above loss. But the administration and its stooges reported no loss of crops.
The government revenue officials descended to extract the tax from farmers who were dying of starvation.
Gandhi decided to go to the rescue of the poor and helpless farmers. By now another Barrister named Vallabhbhai Patel had become a follower of Gandhi.
On 20 the March, 1917 Gandhi and Patel reached Khera to assess the situation and survey the area. Later, they set up a council which toured villages and prepared comprehensive report on the actual situation. The report was submitted to the area commissioner.
The commissioner Mr. Pratt was an arrogant Englishman. He termed the report a fraud and declared Gandhi set up councils illegal.
Gandhi challenged the commissioner’s order and decided to launch agitation against it. The administration declared that it would crush any movement launched by Gandhi. Patel saw how ruthlessly whitemen were determined to crush Gandhi and his non-violent movement.
Patel cast off his European suit and swore never to don it again. He went to Gandhi and expressed his wish to battle alongside Gandhi against the enemy. Gandhi gave him the charge of Khera agitation.
On 22nd March, 1918 at a huge meeting at Nadiad, the start of the agitation was announced. Patel spiritedly led the agitation, toured villages and rallied farmers working day and night. The agitation went on fiercely and at last Mr. Pratt capitulated and accepted the demands set by Patel in the last week of June, 1918.
Now Patel also knew how potent Gandhi’s non-violent Satyagraha was and became the later’s die hard disciple.
On 29th June, the grateful farmers thanked Gandhi for rescuing them. Mohandas Gandhi gave all the credit to Vallabhbhai Patel and called him ‘Sardar’
Gandhi strikes a blow
In 1918, the First World War had ended. The Indians had cooperated with British in the war effort when they had made promise that India would be granted ‘self-rule’ after the war.
But the treacherous British went back on their promise. In fact, they adopted their old ways of arrogance and tyrannical rule. The Indians were dismayed.
To add insult to injury British imposed ‘Rawlett Act’ on Indians which gave wide raging power to the police and the administration. To suppress or crush any activity detrimental to the interests of the colonial British rule in India. Entire country exploded in anger. Protest meetings, marches and demonstration rocked the country.
There was only darkness before Indian leaders. But Gandhi was a leader with ideas. He could show the light.
On 19th March, 1919 Gandhi put forward an idea before Rajgopalachari, “We must call for a nationwide strike because our struggle for independence is dharma yudh (Battle of duty). In this effort all Indians must keep a fast for 24 hours as one body and pray to God for the grant of independence to India.”
Rajgopalachari liked the idea. After consultation 30th March was fixed for the strike. But later it had to be changed to 6th April, 1919 due to some unavoidable reasons.
It was a long shot but it worked.
Entire country came to a stand still. No work was done in establishments, ports and other work places. All Indians suddenly got geared up mentally for the Independence struggle. It was like a miracle. The entire population stood behind a fakir.
On that day’s success made Rabindra Nath Tagore call him ‘Mahatma’ and the admirers, countrymen and Congressmen addressed him as ‘Bapu’.
Now Mahatma Gandhi alias Bapu took charge of the battle for complete independence. The people of all sections, creeds and colours came out to follow Mahatma Gandhi. His voice had become clarion call for all Indians.
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