The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Navajivan and Young India explained
Gandhi describes the repressive measures in the Punjab, including arrests, martial law, and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
What happens
Gandhi describes the repressive measures in the Punjab, including arrests, martial law, and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He is pressed to go to the Punjab but decides against civil disobedience due to the volatile atmosphere. After the deportation of Mr. Horniman and the suspension of the Bombay Chronicle, Gandhi takes over the editorship of Young India and Navajivan, converting them into weeklies to educate the public on satyagraha. He moves the press to Ahmedabad, refuses advertisements, and uses the journals to maintain peace and ventilate views during the crisis.
Themes in this chapter
Nonviolence and Satyagraha
Gandhi emphasizes the importance of maintaining nonviolence and uses his journals to expound the inner meaning of satyagraha, even as he refrains from civil disobedience in the heated Punjab atmosphere.
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi takes on the editorship of Young India and Navajivan to serve the public by educating them on satyagraha and providing a voice against injustice.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Decides not to proceed to the Punjab despite pressure, takes over editorship of Young India and Navajivan, and uses them to educate the public on satyagraha.
- Umar Sobani
One of the directors controlling Young India and Navajivan; suggests Gandhi take up editorship of Young India.
- Shankarlal Banker
Co-director with Umar Sobani; involved in managing Young India and Navajivan.
- Sjt. Indulal Yagnik
Conducted the Gujarati monthly Navajivan and offered to work on it after it was placed at Gandhi's disposal.
Key passages
“I was pressed to proceed to the Punjab immediately in disregard of consequences. I wrote and also telegraphed to the Viceroy asking for permission to go there, but in vain.”
Friends urged Gandhi to go to the Punjab at once despite risks, but his requests to the Viceroy for permission were denied.
Gandhi's dilemma about entering the Punjab under the repressive regime.
“I therefore decided not to proceed to the Punjab in spite of the suggestion of friends. It was a bitter pill for me to swallow.”
Gandhi chose not to go to the Punjab, a difficult decision that pained him deeply.
Gandhi's restraint in the face of injustice.
“Through these journals I now commenced to the best of my ability the work of educating the reading public in satyagraha.”
Gandhi began using Young India and Navajivan to teach the public about satyagraha.
The educational role of Gandhi's journals.