The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
In India Again explained
Gandhi returns to India in 1901 and attends the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta for the first time.
What happens
Gandhi returns to India in 1901 and attends the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta for the first time. He observes the disorganization, untouchability, and unsanitary conditions among the delegates, and reflects on the lack of service-mindedness and training among volunteers. He also meets prominent leaders like Sir Pherozeshah Mehta and Lokamanya Tilak, and attempts to advocate for the rights of Indians in South Africa.
Themes in this chapter
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi emphasizes the importance of service and personal responsibility, exemplified by his cleaning of latrines and his attempts to teach volunteers the secret of service.
Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism
Gandhi advocates for the rights of Indians in South Africa and criticizes the lack of political power in India, as well as the internal social injustices like untouchability.
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi contrasts his own disciplined approach to service and cleanliness with the indifference and lack of training among volunteers and delegates.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Returns to India, attends the Congress session in Calcutta, observes and criticizes the lack of service, untouchability, and insanitation, and personally cleans latrines.
- Sir Pherozeshah Mehta
Travels with Gandhi in his special saloon; expresses pessimism about achieving rights in India and the colonies.
- Mr. D. E. Wacha
President of the Congress session; asks to see Gandhi's resolution and offers encouragement.
- Lokamanya Tilak
Stays in the same block as Gandhi; holds a durbar with many visitors, including Babu Motilal Ghose.
- Babu Motilal Ghose
Editor of The Amrita Bazar Patrika; visits Lokamanya Tilak's durbar.
Key passages
“I knew the kingly style in which he lived. He had engaged a special saloon for himself, and I had orders to take my opportunity of speaking to him by travelling in his saloon for one stage.”
Gandhi was aware of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta's luxurious lifestyle and was instructed to use the opportunity of traveling in his private saloon to discuss South African matters.
Highlights the contrast between Gandhi's simplicity and the opulence of some Indian leaders.
“To me this looked like a travesty of Varnadharma.”
Gandhi saw the segregation of Tamil delegates during meals as a distortion of the true meaning of caste duties.
Reflects Gandhi's critique of untouchability and caste discrimination within the Congress.
“I asked for a broom. The man stared at me in wonder. I procured one and cleaned the latrine.”
Gandhi requested a broom to clean the latrine himself, shocking the volunteers who considered it beneath them.
Demonstrates Gandhi's commitment to manual labor and service, challenging social hierarchies.