8 Chapter 7 Quitting India

Chapter 7 Quitting India The British had to listen to Gandhi after seeing how he had united the Indian people. They also had to face the harsh reaction of the rest of the world. The government received telegrams from all over the world demanding that Gandhi and the other INC members be released from jail. Lord Irwin, the viceroy in India, met with Gandhi. Together, they reached a truce. Gandhi would call off the civil-disobedience campaign, all prisoners would be released, and Indians could make their own salt. Gandhi was ready to represent the Indian National Congress in London for the Round Table Conference of 1931. He would speak in support of an independent India.

Gandhi traveled to London with his son Devdas and a few other supporters. While in London, Gandhi did not want to stay at a fancy hotel. Instead he was a guest at a friend’s house, and spent his days walking in the slums, talking with the poor people of London. While other

political leaders wore suits, he wore his khadi and sandals. He even had tea with King George V and Queen Mary of England in his simple clothing.

By now, Gandhi was world famous. His arrival made the front-page news. Thousands came to get a glimpse of him. Londoners enjoyed this friendly, kind-mannered little man with big ideas. But he did not have success with his plans for independence. Within a week after returning to India, the government arrested him and other Indian leaders, for starting another noncooperation campaign. Gandhi still fought for the Indian people while in jail in Yeravda. The British government was planning to keep the untouchables separate in courts and within government systems. Gandhi did not want the untouchables to be considered separate from the rest of Indian society. To protest this law, Gandhi announced that he would not eat until he died. Kasturbai, who was being held

at Sabarmati Prison, was transferred to Yeravda Prison to be with her husband. Doctors examined Gandhi and felt certain he was about to die. The government quickly agreed to Gandhi’s terms and he ended his fast. They did not want to risk the death of such a famous and beloved man. In 1939, the British entered World War II. Gandhi was upset that the British had not even discussed it with the Indian National Congress.

He told British government officials that India would only cooperate if Britain promised them independence. Gandhi wondered why India should fight for others’ freedoms when Indians did not have their own freedoms under British law. Gandhi was determined to see India become independent from the British. In 1942, he started a “Quit India” movement. He wanted Britain to leave the country and let India’s people govern themselves. He told the British if they agreed to leave, then India would support Britain in the war and fight on their side. Gandhi wanted his Quit India campaign to be