The previous installments can be read here: part one, part two
It had been several weeks since the mill workers had been locked out of the factories of Ahmedabad, India. Gandhi and his companions would spend their days among the workers, visiting their homes to offer encouragement and advice. In this way, they were able to stay informed about the situation and mood on the ground. In the afternoon, Anasuya Sarabhai would drive them to the meetings in her 1915 Overland roadster, where he spoke on the theme of the day’s leaflet.
Gandhi used his speeches to offer lessons on self-improvement. Honesty was paramount, not just as an essential character trait, but also as part of the lockout; rumors should not be started or allowed to spread. They should have courage, and a sense of justice. Also, borrowing money at exorbitant rates should be avoided. Gandhi did the math with them; men were paying as much as 300% interest.
He also reminded them there was a bigger picture. The employers were angry with them now, but when things were resolved, no grudges should be carried. Suffering would be necessary. When he had led the struggle for against racist laws in South Africa a decade earlier, there had been great suffering for the cause. Businessmen had gone bankrupt. Some resisters had died. Yet by remaining firm, they had prevailed in the end.
Gandhi left himself an out. In his leaflet distributed March 1st, he warned them that they would “abandon the workers… if they do anything wrong… or commit violence.” But until that happened, they would “do all we can” to get them their 35% raise.
March 11, 1918, brought an ill wind. Rumors abounded that the lockout would end, and that only those accepting a 20% raise would be allowed to return to work. “What is the workers’ duty?” Gandhi asked. “[U]nless a 35% increase is granted, the workers cannot return to work except by violating their pledge, their honor, and their manliness.”
Gandhi recognized that striking would be more difficult than being locked out, and scheduled the next day’s meeting at 7:30am. That way, if the factory whistles blew, inviting them to break their pledges and return to their machines, they would be together.
What commitments have you struggled with that were made easier by standing with others?