The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
The Rowlatt Bills and My Dilemma explained
Gandhi, recovering from illness, is confronted with the Rowlatt Committee's report and decides to launch a satyagraha campaign against the proposed repressive bills.
What happens
Gandhi, recovering from illness, is confronted with the Rowlatt Committee's report and decides to launch a satyagraha campaign against the proposed repressive bills. He convenes a small meeting at the ashram, drafts a satyagraha pledge, and establishes the Satyagraha Sabha. Meanwhile, he grapples with a personal moral crisis over breaking his vow against milk by agreeing to take goat's milk on medical advice, a compromise he later deeply regrets.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Self-Experimentation
Gandhi's internal conflict over breaking his vow against milk for the sake of health and service, reflecting his lifelong commitment to truth and self-examination.
Nonviolence and Satyagraha
The chapter details the inception of the satyagraha movement against the Rowlatt Bills, emphasizing nonviolent resistance.
Vegetarianism and Dietary Discipline
Gandhi's dietary vow against milk and his eventual compromise with goat's milk, highlighting his experiments with diet and ahimsa.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Recovering from illness, he reads the Rowlatt Committee report and initiates the satyagraha movement against it, while also struggling with the moral compromise of taking goat's milk.
- Shankarlal Banker
Approaches Gandhi with the suggestion for prompt action on the Rowlatt Bills and later organizes the agitation with great capacity.
- Umar Sobani
Along with Shankarlal Banker, urges Gandhi to take action on the Rowlatt Committee report.
- Vallabhbhai Patel
Daily visitor during Gandhi's illness; participates in discussions and the small meeting to plan the satyagraha campaign.
- Shrimati Sarojini Naidu
Attends the small meeting at the ashram where the satyagraha pledge is drafted.
- Anasuyabehn
Present at the ashram meeting for the satyagraha pledge.
- Kasturbai Gandhi
Interjects during the discussion with Dr. Dalal, suggesting goat's milk as an alternative to cow's milk.
Key passages
“The will to live proved stronger than the devotion to truth, and for once the votary of truth compromised his sacred ideal by his eagerness to take up the satyagraha fight.”
Gandhi admits that his desire to survive and lead the satyagraha campaign led him to break his vow, prioritizing action over strict adherence to truth.
Reflects Gandhi's remorse over the moral compromise of taking goat's milk.
“I could see that already my emphasis on truth and ahimsa had begun to be disliked by some of its members.”
Gandhi observes that some members of the Satyagraha Sabha were uncomfortable with his strict insistence on truth and nonviolence.
Highlights early tensions within the satyagraha movement.