On a Stretcher

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7063, 24 January 1933, Page 10

On a Stretcher

GANDHI’S LATEST NEW FAST FOR FRIEND Mr. Gandhi lost vitality and weight so rapidly in the first 24 hours of a now death fast -which he began in December that the next day he had to be carried about the precincts of Yeravda Gaol on a streatcher. Ho had lost 61b, and though he suspended his hunger strike by drinking a glass of orange juice, he threatened to resume it again. The Mahatma’s now fast was a pra test against the treatment of a close associate, Professor Patwardhan, who is imprisoned in Ratnagiri District Gaol. The professor, who is a Brahmin —a member of the highest caste of Hindcea —was put on to scavenging when he first entered gaol. A few weeks later he was taken from tho work, and his petition to the Government to be put back at it has been persistently refused. The Government stated that professional scavengers only were to be employed in the gaol, and Professor Patwardhan has been on hunger-strike against the decision since November 17. When Mr. Gandhi accidentally heard of his friend’s slow death ho entered a strong p:)leu with the Government for his claim. Ho said the removal of the wrong notion that scavenging was a degrading calling was vital to the anti-Untoueh-ablo campaign. The fact that outcasts did scavenging was one of the reasons most often cited by orthodox caste Hindus for continuing Untouchability. The Bombay Government replied that it had no objection to Mr. Gandhi scavenging himself, but he should not interfere in the Patwardhan affair. Gandhi retorted that the Government’s refusal amounted to obstruction ot the progress of anti-Untouehability. Mr. Doyle, Inspector-General of Prisons, later saw the Mahatma alone for an hour and 40 minutes.

At the end of it he said he would do his best to have Professor Patwardhan’s request granted, but would need three days to make arrangements, and on this understanding Mr. Gandhi temporarily suspended his fast.