A faith restored
September 4, 2024
September 4, 1947, was the fourth day of Gandhi’s fast for peace in Kolkata. A deadly grenade attack in front of his house had triggered a crisis of faith in nonviolence; he began an open-ended fast until India’s largest city became calm again. Then, his faith would be restored. Almost immediately, there were strong signs of support. The very next day, 500 of the city’s policemen, while on duty, observed a 24-hour fast in solidarity.
Of course, as a fast to the death, there was an element of coercion. Muslims began to worry that if the 77-year-old perished, they would be blamed. Similarly, groups like the Hindu Mahasabha knew the guilt that would fall on them if they refused to stop fighting. People rounded up weapons and brought them to the home where Gandhi was resting. He said it was the first time he had ever seen a Sten gun, a cheap submachine gun produced in mass quantities for the British armed forces during World War Two.
By September 4, it was reported that the city had gone 24 hours without any major incidents of violence. The community leaders brought a document to Gandhi, which read:
We the undersigned promise Gandhiji that now that peace and quiet have been restored in Calcutta once again, we shall never again allow communal strife in the city and shall strive unto death to prevent it.
Shaheed Suhrawardy expressed concerns before signing, which to me really demonstrates the transformation he had gone through during the weeks spent by Gandhi’s side. What if he was called to leave for Pakistan, his ultimate destination? Gandhi explained he would have to have confidence in those he left in his place. Suhrawardy signed.
Buoyed by the harmonious spirit, Gandhi explained he planned to take his message to the Punjab province next, where there were large disturbances. “I expect that the Hindus and Muslims here will not force me to undertake a fast again,” he told them. “[Kolkata] today holds the key to the peace of the whole of India.”1
After songs were sung, Gandhi was offered a glass of orange juice. This symbolic action had been traditionally performed by Kasturba. Would one of his grandnieces, Abha or Manu, step up to fill the role of his now deceased wife? Instead, it was Shaheed Suhrawardy who brought the substanance forward. They made an odd couple, but their partnership had secured peace in Kolkata.
Seventy-three hours after it had begun, Gandhi broke his fast. His faith in nonviolence had been restored.
Is there a cause you would “strive unto death” for?
Collected Works of Mahatmata Gandhi (Speech before breaking of fast, September 4, 1947) p. 45,956