INTRODUCTION

Present volume begins with the incarceration of Mahatma Gandhi. It might have been Government's expectation that they would have some peace, Gandhiji being jailed. But that was not so. Immediately after entering the Jail Gandhiji started troubling Government on his rights in prison. Though this was his first imprisonment in India, he had been jailed several times in South Africa, and knew well his rights. He wrote to Government for newspapers such as ' Modern Review', 'Vasant' and ' Samalochak'; but these magazines were refused by Government on the ground that they were political magazines. But Gandhiji was not a man to surrender his rights and so he immediately asked for other papers. The correspondence is very interesting and shows how Gandhiji was trying to convince the authorities that it was his right and they cannot refuse it. At one place he says that newspapers, books and magazines are as essential for a prisoner as air, water, and food. Ultimately he partially succeeded because of his persistant demands.

The other point of conflict was interviews regarding who should come and who should not, whether relatives only or friends, political or others. The very first interview was granted to his son Devadas Gandhi and Shree Rajagopalachari. After the interview Rajagopalachari gave an interview to the press and told them that Gandhiji was not treated well. This created a stir and Government refuted it saying that they had already given Gandhiji certain facilities. But this left a bad taste and Government became very strict as regards interviews. Henceforth Government did not allow political persons to see him. Pandit Motilal Nehru, C. R. Das and Hakim Ajmal Khan were refused permission, and Government did not reply even though Gandhiji pursued the matter. His relatives were permitted to see him but only those who had secured previous sanction.

In 1923 Gandhiji began to have some trouble and finally it was found out to be an appendicitis case, and Lt. Col. Maddock decided to operate it immediately waiving red-tapism. The news of illness and its impact on the general masses was tremendous. It released the pent up emotions of people and prayers were held in temples and mosques for his speedy recovery. Political leaders demanded release of Gandhiji. There was persistent clamour for his release. At first Government thought that he should not be released but should be kept in Jail. But this was not possible. So after scrutinizing pros and cons of his release Government decided to set him free, because this would create dissensions in Congress. Dicision to set him free unconditionally was taken by Bombay Government and he was again free on 5th February 1924.

Once again Gandhiji was a freeman. He started his political activities. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress. He left Congress Politics to his friends and took up constructive work. Das and Pandit Motilal Nehru became leaders of the programme of Council entry. Gandhiji devoted his entire time to Khadi, Village industries, Hindu-Muslim unity and untouchability. He toured entire country including Burma, to preach constructive programme. In 1928 Bardoli under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai J. Patel began agitation against new land-Revenue-tax. Though Gandhiji was not actually the leader of the Bardoli campaign he was consulted by the Sardar every now and then. In his tour of the united Provinces he visited Communist leaders detained in Meerut Jail and had a lively discussion with them. He had also visited Shree V. D. Savarkar in lockup earlier.

In 1929 Viceroy Lord Irvin made an announcement regarding Dominion Status. Gandhiji said that the people should not slacken their activities on account of the Viceregal announcement.

N. R. PHATAK.