The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
XXXV: In the Punjab explained
Gandhi describes his delayed journey to the Punjab following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the martial law atrocities.
What happens
Gandhi describes his delayed journey to the Punjab following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the martial law atrocities. He recounts the decision to boycott the Hunter Committee and the formation of a non-official Congress inquiry committee, which he served on alongside Motilal Nehru, C. R. Das, and others. Through his investigative work, he gained deep insight into the suffering of the Punjabi people and the brutality of British rule, and he saw the potential for khadi work in the region.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Self-Experimentation
Gandhi insists on a report based solely on verified evidence, with no exaggeration, reflecting his commitment to truth.
Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism
The chapter focuses on exposing British atrocities in the Punjab and seeking justice for the victims of martial law.
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi takes on the responsibility of organizing the inquiry and drafting the report, serving the people of the Punjab.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Narrator and central figure; organizes the non-official inquiry into Punjab atrocities and drafts the report.
- C. F. Andrews
Already in the Punjab; sends urgent letters describing the dire situation under martial law.
- Pandit Malaviyaji
Sends telegrams urging Gandhi to come to the Punjab; helps organize the non-official inquiry committee.
- Pandit Motilal Nehru
Appointed to the non-official inquiry committee; Gandhi comes into close personal contact with him for the first time.
- Swami Shraddhanandji
Among the leaders who made Gandhi feel at home in the Punjab.
- Chittaranjan Das
Appointed to the non-official inquiry committee as the Deshbandhu.
Key passages
“Sir Michael O’Dwyer held me responsible for all that had happened in the Punjab, and some irate young Punjabis held me responsible for the martial law.”
Both the British authorities and some angry Punjabis blamed Gandhi for the events in the Punjab, though for opposite reasons.
Gandhi notes the conflicting accusations he faced regarding the Punjab crisis.
“The scene that I witnessed on my arrival at Lahore can never be effaced from my memory. The railway station was from end to end one seething mass of humanity.”
Gandhi's arrival in Lahore was met by an enormous, joyful crowd that filled the entire station.
Describes the overwhelming public reception upon his arrival in the Punjab.
“Not a single statement, regarding the validity of which there was the slightest room for doubt, was permitted to appear in the report.”
Every claim in the report was carefully verified, and no questionable statements were included.
Gandhi emphasizes the rigorous truthfulness of the Congress inquiry report.