# The Rowlatt Bills and My Dilemma explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xxix-the-rowlatt-bills-and-my-dilemma
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters