10.

AN INVITATION TO LONDON
Gandhi was, as always, very happy in prison, where he was allowed to spin and
write non- political letters. but for Lord Irwin, Gandhi is arrest made life
impossible. indians were angry and ready to fight, and in some parts of the
country they fought against the Raj, taking power from the British. The British
Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, had called for indian independence, and he
too wanted the problems in India to end.
on 26th January 1931, Irwin released Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and other
Congress leaders from prison. Gandhi wrote to lord Irwin asking if they could
meet and on 17 th february, they began talks. Gandhi and Irwin met in the
Viceroy is new palace and their talks went on for sixteen days. on 5th March,
the Irwin - Gandhi Pact was signed. Gandhi agreed to stop the civil
disobedience campaign and he promised that the congress would come to the
second round table conference in london in the autumn. (the congress had
refused to go to the first conference in 1930 and it had been cancelled) the Raj
agreed to released everyone who had gone to prison for civil disobedienceand
it also now allowed indians to make salt without paying high taxes.
when they heard about the pact, some indians were disappointed because
there was no promise of independence or dominion status for india. but many
felt that with the release from prison of tens of thousands of people, India had
won a great fight. they believed that the pact showed equality between britain
and india and between the viceroy and Gandhi.
on 29th august, Gandhi sailed from Bombay for the round table conference in
england. he arrived in london on the 12th september and was met by crowds of
people. while he was in london, he stayed in a community centre in the east
end, a poor area of the city. it was a long journey to and from his meetings in
central london and he often arrived back late at night. but he wanted to live
among poor people, and in the mornings, he enjoyed walking near the
community centre and talking to the men and women of the east end.
it was autunum in england when gandhi arrived, but he wore his usual loincloth
with more cloths around him to keep him warm. he dressed like this when he
went to buckingham palace to have tea with george V and queen Mary. after
this meeting, someone asked him if he had had enought clothes on. 'The King
had enough clothes for both of us!' Gandhi replied.
charlie chaplin, the famous film actor, asked to see Gandhi. Gandhi also met
General Smuts, his old enemy- turned- friend from south Africa, Lord Irwin and
hundreds of others. he spoke to the London Vegetarian society, where he had
been a member forty years earlier, and gave many other talks. he visited some
famous universities and schools, answered many letters and gave many
interviews. he was so busy that he only slept for about four hours a night while
he was in london.
gandhi also went to Lancashire to meet textile workers. for many of them, life
had become harder when indians stopped buying foreign cloth. some had lost
their jobs. but here, like everywhere he went in England, Gandhi helped people
to understand what was happenning in India. he was always ready to talk to
people and because he was honest and kind, he made friends everywhere.

Gandhi won the hearts and minds of the british people, but the round table
conference did not go well. the British had invited representatives from the
princely states, and also Anglo-Indians, Christians, Hindus, Muslims,
Untouchables and Parsis.
all these representatives wanted a separate
electorate - they wanted their national, religious or caste group to have seats in
government that only people from that group could vote for.
Gandhi was strongly against this. anyone wanting to divide India in this way did
not understand the country, he said. India was already too divided. Gandhi
wanted a new independent India where indians voted for indians, and where
religion and caste became unimportant in politics. he believed that india would
only win independence if Hindus, Muslims Untouchables and all the other
groups worked together.
there was no plan for indian independence at the Round Table Coference, and
Gandhi could see that British ministers - under their new government - were
ready to come down hard on any campaign against the Raj. 'I came looking for
peace', Gandhi said as he left England in December, 'but I am going back afraid
of war'.
stopping in Switzerland and Italy, Gandhi arrived home in India on 28th
december. the friends who met him in Bombay had bad news. Jawaharlal Nehru
and other from the congress had been arrested, and becouse Indians in some
parts of the country were refusing to pay rent, the government had made
special new laws. the police were now allowed to arrest people and put them in
prison without trial, take their homes and money, and stop peaceful
demonstrations.
Gandhi asked the new british viceroy, lord Willingdon, for a meeting and told
him that the congress would fight agaisnt these new laws. but on 3rd january
1932, Gandhi himself was arrested and taken once more to Yeravda Prison. all
congress organizations were closed and almost all congress leaders were put in
prison. indians fought against the Raj's special new laws, but Willingdon
believed he could bring peace to India quickly with a hard hand. In January and
february 1932, about seventy-five thousand Indians were arrested and
hundreds of thousands were hit with lathis. it was the strongest and cruellest
drive against Indian people since the mutiny of 1857.
10. UNA INVITACIN A LONDRES
Gandhi fue, como siempre, muy feliz en la crcel, donde se le permiti a girar y
escribir cartas no polticos. pero por Lord Irwin, Gandhi es arresto hizo la vida
imposible. indios estaban enojados y listos para luchar, y en algunas partes del
pas que lucharon contra el Raj, la toma del poder de los britnicos. El primer
ministro britnico, Ramsay MacDonald, haba llamado por la independencia
india, y l tambin quera que los problemas en la India a fin.
el 26 de enero de 1931, Irwin lanz Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru y otros lderes del
Congreso de la prisin. Gandhi escribi al seor Irwin preguntando si podan
reunirse y el 17 de febrero, comenzaron las conversaciones. Gandhi e Irwin se
reunieron en el Virrey es nuevo palacio y sus conversaciones continuaron
durante diecisis das. el 5 de marzo, el Irwin - Pacto de Gandhi fue firmado.
Gandhi estuvo de acuerdo para detener la campaa de desobediencia civil y
prometi que el Congreso llegara a la segunda conferencia de mesa redonda

en Londres en el otoo. (El Congreso se neg a ir a la primera conferencia en

1930 y que haba sido cancelado) Raj acord que todos liberada que haba ido
a la crcel por disobedienceand civil, que ahora tambin permiti indios para
hacer sal sin pagar altos impuestos.
cuando se enteraron de que el pacto, algunos indios se sintieron
decepcionados porque no haba promesa de independencia o dominio de
estado para la India. pero muchos sintieron que con la salida de la crcel de
decenas de miles de personas, la India haba ganado una gran pelea. crean
que el pacto mostr la igualdad entre Gran Bretaa y la India y entre el virrey y
Gandhi.
el 29 de agosto, Gandhi zarp de Bombay para la conferencia de mesa redonda
en inglaterra. lleg a Londres el 12 de septiembre y fue recibido por una
multitud de personas. mientras se encontraba en Londres, se qued en un
centro comunitario en el extremo este, una zona pobre de la ciudad. fue un
largo viaje desde y hacia sus reuniones en el centro de Londres y con
frecuencia lleg tarde por la noche. pero quera vivir entre los pobres, y por las
maanas, que disfrutaba caminando cerca del centro de la comunidad y hablar
con los hombres y mujeres del extremo este.
era autunum en Inglaterra cuando lleg gandhi, pero llevaba el taparrabos de
costumbre con ms paos alrededor de l para mantenerlo caliente. se vesta
como esto cuando fue a Palacio de Buckingham para tomar el t con Jorge V y
la reina Mara. despus de esta reunin, alguien le pregunt si haba tenido
suficientes en la ropa. 'El Rey tena suficiente ropa para los dos! Gandhi
respondi.
Charlie Chaplin, el famoso actor de cine, pidi ver a Gandhi. Gandhi tambin se
reuni con el general Smuts, su viejo amigo turned- enemigo- desde el sur de
frica, Lord Irwin y cientos de otros. habl con la Sociedad Vegetariana de
Londres, donde haba sido miembro cuarenta aos antes, y dio muchas otras
conversaciones. visit algunas universidades y escuelas famosas, respondi
muchas cartas y dio muchas entrevistas. estaba tan ocupado que slo durmi
durante unas cuatro horas por noche, mientras estaba en Londres.
gandhi tambin fue a Lancashire para cumplir con los trabajadores textiles.
para muchos de ellos, la vida se haba vuelto ms difcil cuando los indios
dejaron de comprar tela extranjera. algunos haban perdido sus puestos de
trabajo. pero aqu, como en todas partes se fue a Inglaterra, Gandhi ayud a la
gente a entender lo que estaba happenning en la India. l siempre estaba
dispuesto a hablar con la gente y porque era honesto y amable, hizo amigos en
todas partes.
Gandhi gan los corazones y las mentes del pueblo britnico, pero la
conferencia de mesa redonda no sali bien. los britnicos haban invitado a
representantes de los estados principescos, y tambin anglo-indios, cristianos,
hindes, musulmanes, intocables y parsis. todos estos representantes queran
un electorado independiente - que queran su grupo nacional, religioso o casta
tener asientos en el gobierno que slo las personas de ese grupo podran votar.
Gandhi estaba fuertemente en contra de esto. cualquiera que desee dividir la
India de esta manera no entenda el pas, dijo. India fue ya demasiado dividido.
Gandhi quera una nueva India independiente donde indios votaron a favor de

los indios, y donde la religin y la casta se convirti poco importante en la

poltica. crea que la India slo ganara la independencia si los hindes,
musulmanes intocables y todos los otros grupos trabajaron juntos.
no haba un plan para la independencia india en la Mesa Redonda Coference, y
Gandhi pudo ver que los ministros britnicos - bajo su nuevo gobierno estaban listos para entrar con fuerza en cualquier campaa contra el Raj. 'Vine
en busca de la paz ", dijo Gandhi como l sali de Inglaterra en diciembre, pero
me voy a volver miedo a la guerra'.
parando en Suiza e Italia, Gandhi lleg a su casa en la India el 28 de diciembre.
los amigos que lo conocieron en Bombay tuvieron malas noticias. Jawaharlal
Nehru y otro del Congreso haban sido detenidos, y lstima pues los indios en
algunas partes del pas se niegan a pagar el alquiler, el gobierno haban hecho
nuevas leyes especiales. la polica ahora se les permiti arrestar a la gente y
los puso en la crcel sin juicio, llevar a sus hogares y dinero, y dejar de
manifestaciones pacficas.
Gandhi pidi al nuevo virrey britnico, Lord Willingdon, para una reunin y le
dijo que el congreso luchara agaisnt estas nuevas leyes. pero el 3 de enero de
1932, el propio Gandhi fue arrestado y llevado de nuevo a la prisin de
Yeravda. todas las organizaciones del congreso fueron cerradas y casi todos los
lderes del Congreso fueron puestos en prisin. indios lucharon contra las
nuevas leyes especiales del Raj, pero Willingdon crean que poda traer la paz a
la India rpidamente con una mano dura. En enero y febrero de 1932, unos
setenta y cinco mil indios fueron arrestados y cientos de miles fueron
golpeados con lathis. que era la unidad ms fuerte y ms cruel contra el pueblo
de la India desde el motn de 1857.
11. A FAST TO DEATH
on 17th august 1932, while he was still in prison, Gandhi learnt that the british
prime minister, Ramsay MacDonald, had decided to give the Untouchables a
separate electorate in Britains new constitution for india. Gandhi believed that
this would make the division between the untouchables and other Hindus
stronger than ever. the next day, he wrote to MacDonald and told him that he
would fast to death against this decision, beginning on 20th september.
at first, Gandhi did not tell any other people about his promise to fast to death.
so when the news came out, on 12th september, people in Britain and India
were extremely worried. at meetings all cross india, people asked Gandhi not to
fast. thousands of letters arrive at Yerwada prison and at the viceroy is house,
and political leaders across India did everything they could to stop Gandhi is
fast. but at half-past eleven on 20th september, Gandhi took his last meal of
lemon juice and honey with hot water.
something extraordinary now happened in India. Gandhi had said that if Hindus
were not ready to turn away from the idea of Untouchability, they should let
him die. but Gandhi was the people's Mahatma and they were not going to lose
him. the day before Gandhi started his fast, twelve temples in Allahabad
allowed Untouchables to pray there for the first time. every day after that,
more temples opened their doors to Untouchables, and all over India, Hindus
and Untouchables ate meals together and met in streets and temples. Letters
arrived at Yeravda from organizations in villages, towns and cities across India

which now promised to treat Untouchables equally. untouchables were allowed

to walk on roads that had been closed to them and they shared benches and
water wells with caste Hindus for the first time. suddenly India was moving
forward once more.
while ordinary Indians threw away the prejudices of a lifetime to save their
Mahatma, political leaders went to work too. on 20th september, in Bombay,
important Hindu leaders met with Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Untouchables
reprresentative, who wanted to keep the separate electorate for them.
Ambedkar, an Untouchable who had become a lawyer, believed that
Untouchables would not feel safe talking about the way they were treated by
Hindus and Untouchables. the Hindu leaders could understand this and they
now needed to find an agrement that would help with this problem and make
Gandhi happy. and of cource the British government had to agree to it too.
Sir Tej Sapru, one of the important Hindu leaders, had a clever plan which
Ambedkar felt might work. the idea was to keep the Hindu and Untouchable
electorate together, but top protect some seats for the Untouchables. Sapru
other leaders travelled throught the night to explain their plan to Gandhi, who
asked to meet with Ambedkar. on 22nd september, Ambedkar came to
Yeravda, where Gandhi lay on a bed in the prison garden, under a mango tree,
with his books and writing paper. the talks went well, but Gandhi was already
very weak and ill, and on the 23rd, his doctors warned that he could die at any
moment.
more meetings between Ambedkar and the Hindu leaders brought them close
to an agreement on Sapru's idea, and finally, on 24th september, the fifth day
of Gandhi is fast, the Yeravda Pact was signed. on the 25th it was passed at a
conference in Bombay. but the pact meant nothing if Ramsay MacDonald did
not agree to it too. it was now sunday in England, and when the words of the
pact were sent throught to London, MacDonald and his misnisters were out of
the city. Gandhi is friends in London did everything they could to get a quick
reply, and Mac donald came back to london quickly and looked at the pact with
his ministers until midnight on Sunday night.
Gandhi was now very close to death, and on the morning of Monday 26th
september, his great friend Tagore came top the prison to sing songs to him.
then, at last, news came from London: the British government agreed to the
Yeravda Pact. At 5.15 that afternoon, Gandhi broke his fast with a glass of
orange juice and many of his friends and followers cried as they watched.
a few days after the end of the fast, Gandhi was already stronger and was able
to spin once more. he had done something extraordinary. Untouchability had
not gone completely, but Gandhi had changed Hindu society forever.
Untouchables still had the worst jobs and were still at the bottom of society,
but people now understood that prejudice against them was wrong and the
'Harijans' had a chance to be free at last.
11. UN RPIDO A LA MUERTE
el 17 de agosto de 1932, cuando an estaba en la crcel, Gandhi se enter de
que el primer ministro britnico, Ramsay MacDonald, haba decidido dar el
Intocables un electorado independiente en Britain's nueva constitucin para la
India. Gandhi crea que esto hara que la divisin entre los intocables hindes y

otros ms fuertes que nunca. al da siguiente, le escribi a MacDonald y le dijo

que iba a ayunar hasta la muerte contra esta decisin, a partir del 20 de
septiembre.
en un primer momento, Gandhi no le dijo a ningn otro pueblo sobre su
promesa de ayunar hasta la muerte. as que cuando la noticia sali, el 12 de
septiembre, la gente en Gran Bretaa y la India eran extremadamente
preocupado. en las reuniones de toda la india cruz, la gente preguntaba Gandhi
no ayunar. miles de cartas llegan a la crcel Yerwada y al virrey es la casa, y los
lderes polticos de la India hicieron todo lo posible para detener Gandhi es
rpido. pero a las once y media, el 20 de septiembre, Gandhi tom su ltima
comida de jugo de limn y miel con agua caliente.
algo extraordinario sucedi ahora en la India. Gandhi haba dicho que si los
hindes no estaban dispuestos a apartarse de la idea de la intocabilidad, deben
dejar que se muera. pero Gandhi Mahatma era del pueblo y ellos no iban a
perderlo. el da antes de Gandhi comenz su ayuno, doce templos en Allahabad
mascotas intocables a orar all por primera vez. todos los das despus de eso,
ms templos abren sus puertas a los intocables, y en toda la India, los hindes
y los intocables coman juntos y se reunieron en las calles y templos. Las cartas
llegaron a Yeravda de organizaciones en aldeas, pueblos y ciudades de la India,
que ahora se comprometi a tratar intocables por igual. intocables se les
permiti caminar en las carreteras que haban sido cerradas para ellos y
compartieron bancos y pozos de agua con las castas hindes por primera vez.
de repente la India se estaba moviendo hacia adelante una vez ms.
mientras que los indios ordinarios tiraron los prejuicios de toda una vida para
salvar a su Mahatma, los lderes polticos se pusieron a trabajar tambin. el 20
de septiembre, en Bombay, los lderes hindes importantes se reunieron con
Bhimrao Ambedkar, el reprresentative intocables, que quera mantener el
electorado independiente para ellos. Ambedkar, un intocable que haba
convertido en un abogado, cree que los intocables no se sentira segura
hablando de la forma en que fueron tratados por los hindes y los Intocables.
los lderes hindes podan entender esto y que ahora es necesario encontrar un
asentimiento que ayude con este problema y hacer Gandhi feliz. y de cource el
gobierno britnico tuvo que acceder a ella tambin.
Sir Tej Sapru, uno de los lderes hindes importantes, tena un plan inteligente
que Ambedkar sinti que podra funcionar. la idea era mantener el hind y
electorado Untouchable juntos, pero la parte superior proteger algunos
asientos para los intocables. Sapru otros dirigentes viajaron throught la noche
para explicar su plan para Gandhi, quien pidi reunirse con Ambedkar. el 22 de
septiembre, Ambedkar vino a Yeravda, donde Gandhi yaca en una cama en el
jardn prisin, bajo un rbol de mango, con sus libros y papel de escribir. las
negociaciones han ido bien, pero Gandhi ya estaba muy dbil y enfermo, y el
da 23, los mdicos advirtieron que poda morir en cualquier momento.
ms reuniones entre Ambedkar y los lderes hindes trajeron ellos cerca de un
acuerdo sobre la idea de Sapru, y finalmente, el 24 de septiembre, el quinto da
de Gandhi es rpido, se firm el Pacto de Yeravda. el da 25 se aprob en una
conferencia en Bombay. pero el pacto no significaba nada si Ramsay
MacDonald no estaba de acuerdo con ella tambin. ahora era Domingo en

Inglaterra, y cuando se enviaron las palabras del pacto throught a Londres,

MacDonald y sus misnisters estaban fuera de la ciudad. Gandhi es amigos en
Londres hicieron todo lo posible para obtener una respuesta rpida y Mac
donald regres a Londres con rapidez y mir el pacto con sus ministros hasta la
medianoche del domingo por la noche.
Gandhi estaba ahora muy cerca de la muerte, y en la maana del lunes 26 de
septiembre, su gran amigo Tagore vino encima la prisin para cantar canciones
con l. entonces, por fin, lleg la noticia de Londres: el gobierno britnico
acord el Pacto Yeravda. En 5.15 de la tarde, Gandhi rompi su ayuno con un
vaso de jugo de naranja y muchos de sus amigos y seguidores grit mientras
observaban.
unos pocos das despus del final del ayuno, Gandhi era ya ms fuerte y fue
capaz de girar una vez ms. que haba hecho algo extraordinario. Intocabilidad
no haba desaparecido por completo, pero Gandhi haba cambiado para
siempre la sociedad hind. Intocables todava tena los peores trabajos y
todava estaban en el fondo de la sociedad, pero la gente ahora entiende que
el prejuicio contra ellos estaba mal y el "harijans 'tenido la oportunidad de ser
libre al fin.

14 towards Independence
By june 1994 , it was clear that the allied forces would soon win the war .
ghandhi now felt sure that india could win her Independence and he wanted
agreement between the congress and the muslim league . in july , Gandhi
wrote to jinnah . they met several times in september , but then talks broke
down . jinnah wanted partition he wanted the reas of india where there were
more muslimd that hindus to become a separate country , pakistan . Gandhi
agreed that people in those reas could vote to decide on partition , but he
wanted india to win her freedom first . jinnah wanted partition now , while the
british were still in india , and he wanted only muslims to vote for it in june
1945 , lord wavell , indias new viceroy , released several important political
leaders who had beenin prison since august 1942 . he also invited indias
leaders to a meeting that month and promised a new council . there would be
anequal number of hindus and muslims , and an number of congress members
and muslim league members on the new council . these would be chosen by
wavell from lists the parties gave him . the congress was a much bigger
organization tan the muslim league , so this did not seem fair to congress
members . but they wanted wavells plan to work so much that they agreed to
it
Jinnah did not want the plan to work . he said that he wanted to choose all the
muslims in the council . but this would mean that the congress could not
suggest any of the many muslims in their party , inculuding their new president
, azad . also , the congress was a netional and non religious organization . it
would be wrong for them to choose only hindu members . the talks came to an
end .

In july , a new labour government was elected in britain . the war europe had
ended in may , and in august , japan stopped fighting too . the labour
government and lord wavell called for elections in india that Winter , after
which a new constitution would be agreed for an independent india in the
elections of december 1945 , the congress won most of the non muslim seats
and the muslim league most of the muslim ones .
In march 1946 , a group of british ministers arrived to decide how indias new
national government would work .
They also needed to decide if britain should give jinnah the separate pakistan
he asked for . in may , after long talks with indias political leaders , the
ministers published their plan . thay could undeerstand why muslims were
worried about living with hindus under indian rule , the ministers said . there
were many more hindus thatn muslims in india and muslims were worried that
their religin and way of life would not be safe . but in theree of the provinces
that jinnah wanted to take into pakistan , there were many hindus . life would
be just as difficult for these hindus , the ministers argued. If they made
pakistan smaller , sothat it included only the reas where muslims lived , the
theree provinces , each with their own languages , histories and traditiond ,
would be divided . india , the ministerd decided , should stay as one country .
but indias new government would only be able to make decisions if the hindus
and muslims agreed .
Jinnah was not happy about many parts of the plan , but he agreed to it . the
congress talked for a long time before agreeing to the plan . they were not
happy about the way members were going to be chosen for the new
government which would run india . jinnah believed that the british would now
ask him to become prime minister . but when the congress at last agreed to the
plan , jawaharlal nehru , who was president of the party once more , was asked
to become prime minister of india .
Jinnah , furious , refused to have any role in the new government . the muslim
league called for a direct action day on 16 august , and there were violent riots
in Calcutta , in which hundreds of hindus were killed . over the next few days ,
hindus fought back and even more muslims died . violence moved across india
into the punjab , bengaland bihar
When Gandhi Heard that hindu muslim violence was moving from the cites into
the villages , he feld that he had to do something . Gandhi decided to vist the
noakhali rea of bengal , which had seen terrible violence . noakhali was far
away in the east of india and many kilometres from the nearest city . when he
arrived , he sent his followers to live alone in the villages , where they taught
the people t olive whthout violence .
From november 1946 until march 1947 , seventy seven year old Gandhi
moved from village to village . he stayed for two or theree days in each village ,
talking and praying , then walked without shoes to the next one , four or five
kilometres away . as he travelled around the rea , more and more people
came to gandhis meeting and many hindus who had run away from their
home began to come back . when Gandhi left noakhali , he had not stopped the
disagreements completely , but hindus and muslims were coming together

more and more . Gandhi asked a muslim and hindu in each village to keep its
people safe .
Gandhi now moved to bihar , where there had been terrible riots and more tan
five thousand pople , mainly muslims , had died . Gandhi visited muslims who
had lost family or their homes , and he collected money for them at his
meetings . many muslims had run away from the rea , and Gandhi calle don
hindus to welcome them back and make them feel safe .
Gandhi had been in bihar for three weeks when lord mountbatten , indias new
viceroy , asked him to come to delhi . the british government had said that
britain would leave india before june 1948 , but jinnah was still refusing to join
the group that needed to make the constitution for independent india . lord
mountbatten now wanted jinnah and Gandhi to fin dan agreement that would
give india a peaceful future as a free country .

14 hacia la Independencia
Para junio de 1994, estaba claro que las fuerzas aliadas no tardaran en ganar
la guerra. ghandhi ahora estaba seguro de que la India podra ganar su
independencia y quera acuerdo entre el Congreso y la Liga Musulmana. en
julio, Gandhi escribi a Jinnah. se reunieron varias veces en septiembre, pero
luego las conversaciones se rompieron. Jinnah quera particin que quera las
zonas de la India, donde haba ms musulmanes que los hindes para
convertirse en un pas independiente, pakistan. Gandhi estuvo de acuerdo que
la gente en esas reas podran votar para decidir sobre la particin, pero quera
india para ganar su libertad primero. Jinnah quera particin ahora, mientras
que los britnicos estaban todava en la India, y quera que slo los
musulmanes a votar por l en junio de 1945, el seor Wavell, nuevo virrey de
India, lanz varios lderes polticos importantes que haban beenin prisin
desde agosto 1942. Tambin invit a los lderes de India a una reunin de ese
mes y prometi un nuevo consejo. habra un nmero igual de hindes y
musulmanes, y un nmero de congresistas y miembros de la Liga Musulmana
en el nuevo consejo. stos seran elegidos por Wavell de las listas de los
partidos le dieron. el congreso era una organizacin mucho ms grande
moreno la liga musulmana, por lo que esto no parece justo para los
congresistas. Pero queran wavell's planean trabajar tanto que acordaron que
Jinnah no quera que el plan funcione. dijo que quera elegir todos los
musulmanes en el consejo. pero esto significara que el Congreso no poda
sugerir cualquiera de los muchos musulmanes en su partido, inculuding su
nuevo presidente, Azad. Asimismo, el congreso fue un netional y no organizacin religiosa. que sera un error para ellos para elegir miembros
hind. las negociaciones llegaron a su fin.
En julio, un nuevo gobierno laborista fue elegido en gran bretaa. la guerra
haba terminado europa 05, y en agosto, japn dejado de luchar tambin. el
gobierno de la mano de obra y seor Wavell llamaron para las elecciones en la
India que el invierno, despus de lo cual una nueva constitucin se acord de
una India independiente en las elecciones de diciembre de 1945, el Congreso

gan la mayora de los asientos no -muslim y la liga musulmn mayor parte de

la los musulmanes.
En marzo de 1946, un grupo de ministros britnicos llegaron para decidir cmo
funcionara de India nuevo gobierno nacional.
Tambin necesitaban para decidir si Gran Bretaa debera dar Jinnah el
pakistan separada que pidi. 05, despus de largas conversaciones con los
lderes polticos de India, los ministros publicaron su plan. paseto podra
undeerstand por qu los musulmanes estaban preocupados sobre cmo vivir
con hindes bajo dominio indio, dijeron los ministros. haba muchos ms
hindes thatn musulmanes en la India y los musulmanes estaban preocupados
de que su religin y forma de vida no estaran a salvo. pero en theree de las
provincias que Jinnah quera tener en Pakistn, haba muchos hindes. la vida
sera tan difcil para estos hindes, los ministros argumentaron. Si hicieran
pakistan ms pequeo, sothat inclua slo las reas donde vivan los
musulmanes, las provincias theree, cada uno con sus propias lenguas, historias
y traditiond, sera dividido. la india, la ministerd decidi, debe permanecer
como un solo pas. pero de India nuevo gobierno slo sera capaz de tomar
decisiones si los hindes y los musulmanes de acuerdo.
Jinnah no estaba contento con muchas partes del plan, pero estuvo de acuerdo
en ello. el congreso habl durante mucho tiempo antes de aceptar el plan. que
no estaban contentos con la forma en que los miembros iban a ser elegido para
el nuevo gobierno lo que ira en la india. Jinnah crea que los britnicos ahora le
preguntaban a convertirse en primer ministro. pero cuando el Congreso al fin
acept el plan, Jawaharlal Nehru, quien era presidente del partido, una vez
ms, fue el encargado de convertirse en primer ministro de la India.
Jinnah, furioso, se neg a tener ningn papel en el nuevo gobierno. la Liga
Musulmana pidi un da de accin directa el 16 de agosto, y hubo disturbios
violentos en Calcuta, en la que murieron cientos de hindes. en los prximos
das, los hindes se defendieron e incluso ms musulmanes murieron. la
violencia se traslad toda la India en el Punjab, bengaland bihar
Cuando Gandhi escuchado que la violencia musulmana hind se mova de la
cita a las aldeas, que Feld que tena que hacer algo. Gandhi decidi vist el rea
Noakhali de bengala, que haba visto una violencia terrible. Noakhali estaba
muy lejos en el este de la India y muchos kilmetros de la ciudad ms cercana.
cuando lleg, envi a sus seguidores a vivir solo en los pueblos, donde se les
ensea a la gente t oliva whthout violencia.
Desde noviembre de 1946 hasta marzo 1947, setenta y siete aos de edad
Gandhi se traslad de pueblo en pueblo. permaneci durante dos o theree das
en cada pueblo, hablando y orando, luego camin sin zapatos a la siguiente,
cuatro o cinco kilmetros de distancia. mientras viajaba por la zona, ms y ms
personas llegaron a la reunin de Gandhi y muchos hindes que haban huido
de su casa comenzaron a volver. cuando Gandhi dej Noakhali, no se haba
detenido a los desacuerdos por completo, pero los hindes y los musulmanes
fueron llegando a ms y ms. Gandhi pidi a un musulmn hind y en cada
pueblo para mantener a su gente a salvo.
Gandhi ahora se traslad a Bihar, donde haba habido terribles disturbios y ms
pople bronceado cinco mil, en su mayora musulmanes, haban muerto. Gandhi

visit musulmanes que tenan familiares perdidos o sus hogares, y se recaud

dinero para ellos en sus reuniones. muchos musulmanes haban huido de la
zona, y Gandhi calle Don hindes para dar la bienvenida de nuevo y hacer que
se sientan seguros.
Gandhi haba estado en bihar durante tres semanas cuando mountbatten
seor, de India nuevo virrey, le pidi que fuera a Nueva Delhi. el gobierno
britnico haba dicho que Gran Bretaa dejara india antes de junio de 1948,
pero Jinnah segua negndose a unirse al grupo que necesitaba para hacer la
constitucin de la India independiente. Lord Mountbatten ahora quera Jinnah y
Gandhi a la aleta acuerdo dan que dara a la India un futuro de paz como un
pas libre.

15 partition
In his talks with mountbatten , jinnah warned that there would be war between
hindus and muslims if india was not partitioned . he wanted pakistan to include
all of the punjab and bengal , but mountbatten could see that this was
imposible . ghandhi did not want any kind of partition . in june 1947 ,
mountbatten told india that the people of bengal , punjab and assam would
vote on partition . if most people wanted partition , these three provinces
would be divided , with one part in india and one part in pakistan . the congress
, worried about losing its promised Independence and about a war between
hindus and muslims , went against Gandhi and agreed with mountbattens plan
. the partition was son oficial . india and pakistan would become separate ,
disappointed , Gandhi retuned to retuened to bihar after his meeting with
mountbatten . he wanted to show people that hindus and muslims could live in
peace and that india did not need partition . in bihar , there was some good
news . muslims were going black to their villages , with help from hindus and
sikhs . if peace began to come back to the villages , Gandhi believed , then it
would son come in the cites and across the country on 9 august 1947 , Gandhi
went to calcutta , rioting and violence had not stopped since direct action day
in 1946 . when people saw Gandhi in the streets of the city the anger between
muslims and hindus died down . large crowds came to his prayer meetings
every day and after the 14 august , there was a break in the violence
When Independence day cameo n 15 august , there were Fireworks and great
speeches in delhi , but Gandhi spent the day quietly , spinning , praying and
fasting . india was now divided into the indian unin and dominion of pakistan
Because of his , Independence was no longer the great change for india that
Gandhi had hoped and worked for for so long.
But partition did not bringa an end to the violence . another fight between
hindus and muslims broke out on the night of 31 august in Calcuta and Gandhi
decided to fast to death . he wanted an end to the violence and he did not
break his fast for theree days , until hindus , muslims , chistians and city
leaders promised that there would be no more fighting .
On 7 september , Gandhi left calcutta and went to delhi , where he found
rioting in the city . millons of hindus and sikhs had begun to move away from
pakistan , where muslims were attacking them . and millons of muslims were

escaping from the indian unin , where hindus and sikhs were attacking them .
over the next few months , more tan fifteen million people left their homes and
walked hundreds of kilometres to places where they had no work and nowhere
t olive . in the crowds there was hunger and illness , and many people died .
When escaping hindus and sikhs reached delhi , many of these refugees had to
stay in dirty refugee camps outside the city . Gandhi walked across delhi many
times each day , speaking to the people and visiting the camps . he told people
to keep clean , to share their food and to live for others as well themselves . he
asked people to bring blankets for the refugees as the nights became colder .
at his prayer meeting every evening , gandhi asked the people if he could read
from the koran . he wantedthem to understand live whith the religions of others
Gandhi had helped to stop the terrible attacks and he wanted to go and help
the hindus and sikhs in pakistan , but could not do this until muslims were
living safely in india . hindus had taken muslims homes from them in delhi and
many wanted all the muslims to leave . how could Gandhi be sure that attacks
would not start again he could not watch while hindus , muslims and sikhs
broke their new countries apart . so on 13 january 1948 , Gandhi began his last
fast to death
On the first day of the fast , Gandhi walked to his prayer meeting as usual . but
he became weak very quickly . on the he was staying in delhi . his eyes were
closed and there was khadi cloth around his face . long lines of people walked
past to see him and many cried as they prayed .
From the first day of the fast , Dr prasad , the new president of the congress ,
had organized meeting whith people from different groups and organizations in
delhi . he hoped to find a real peace that would stop gandhis fast . on 18
january , prasad came to see Gandhi with more tan ahundred representatives
from the city . hindus , muslims , sikhs , jews and chistians , together with
representatives from the plice and from all delhis important organizations ,
had signed a promise that there would be no more violence in delhi . they
promised that muslims could move around delhi freely and mosques that had
been taken from them would be returned
Were these things really true , ghandhi asked , or were people just trying to
stop his fast would violence go on in other parts of india pakistan or would
these representatives work to stop fighting between religious groups across the
countries ?
They promised that they would . at last , when Gandhi was sure he could belive
them , he broke his fast and drank some orange juice .
Gandhi has always said that he wanted t olive until he was 125 years old . if
they could keep their promise , he told the representatives , he would now
make that wish once more .
He would live long , working for his people . gandhis fast brought a new hope
for friendship . it had stopped religious riots and violene not just in delhi , but
across india ans pakistan

15 particin

En sus conversaciones con mountbatten, Jinnah advirti que no habra guerra

entre hindes y musulmanes, si la India no se dividi. quera pakistan para
incluir todo el Punjab y Bengala, pero mountbatten pudo ver que esto era
imposible. ghandhi no quera ningn tipo de particin. en junio de 1947,
mountbatten dijo india que el pueblo de bengala, Punjab y Assam votaran en
la particin. si la mayora de la gente quera particin, estas tres provincias se
dividen, con una parte en la India y una parte de Pakistn. el Congreso,
preocupado por la prdida de su prometida la Independencia y cerca de una
guerra entre hindes y musulmanes, iba en contra de Gandhi y de acuerdo con
el plan mountbatten's. la particin era hijo oficial. India y Pakistn se
convertira en independiente, decepcionado, Gandhi reajustada a retuened de
Bihar despus de su reunin con Mountbatten. quera mostrar a la gente que
hindes y musulmanes pudieran vivir en paz y que la India no necesitaba
particin. en Bihar, hubo algunas buenas noticias. musulmanes iban negro a
sus pueblos, con la ayuda de hindes y sijs. si la paz comenz a regresar a las
aldeas, Gandhi crea, entonces sera hijo venir en la cita y en todo el pas el 9
de agosto de 1947, Gandhi fue a Calcuta, los disturbios y la violencia no se
haba detenido desde el primer da de accin directa en 1946. cuando la gente
vio Gandhi en las calles de la ciudad la ira entre musulmanes e hindes se
calm. grandes multitudes vinieron a sus reuniones de oracin todos los das y
despus del 14 de agosto, se produjo una ruptura en la violencia
Cuando cameo da de la Independencia n 15 de agosto, hubo fuegos artificiales
y grandes discursos en delhi, pero Gandhi pasaron el da en silencio, dando
vueltas, la oracin y el ayuno. India ahora se dividi en la Unin India y dominio
de Pakistn
Debido a su, Independencia ya no era el gran cambio de la india que Gandhi
haba esperado y trabajado durante tanto tiempo.
Pero particin no BRINGA fin a la violencia. otra pelea entre hindes y
musulmanes estall en la noche del 31 de agosto en Calcuta y Gandhi decidi
ayunar hasta la muerte. que quera poner fin a la violencia y que no rompe su
ayuno para theree das, hasta hindes, musulmanes, chistians y lderes de la
ciudad prometieron que no habra ms lucha.
El 7 de septiembre, Gandhi dej Calcuta y fue a Delhi, donde se encontr con
los disturbios en la ciudad. Millones de hindes y sijs haban comenzado a
alejarse de Pakistn, donde los musulmanes atacaban ellos. Millones de
musulmanes y se escapan de la Unin India, donde los hindes y sijs estaban
atacando a ellos. en los prximos meses, ms bronceado quince millones de
personas abandonaron sus hogares y caminaron cientos de kilmetros a
lugares donde no tenan trabajo y en ninguna parte t de oliva. en la multitud
haba hambre y la enfermedad, y mucha gente muri.
Cuando hindes y sikhs que escapan alcanzaron delhi, muchos de estos
refugiados tuvieron que permanecer en los campamentos de refugiados sucios
fuera de la ciudad. Gandhi cruz delhi muchas veces cada da, hablando con la
gente y visitar los campamentos. le dijo a la gente a mantener limpio, a
compartir su comida y vivir para los dems, as ellos mismos. -le pregunt a la
gente a traer mantas para los refugiados como las noches se hicieron ms fro.
en su reunin de oracin cada noche, gandhi pregunt a la gente si pudiera

leer el Corn. que wantedthem entender vivo un poco con las religiones de los
dems
Gandhi haba ayudado a detener los terribles ataques y quera ir a ayudar a los
hindes y sikhs en Pakistn, pero no poda hacer esto hasta que los
musulmanes vivan de forma segura en la India. hindes haban tomado
musulmanes casas de ellos en delhi y muchos queran todos los musulmanes a
abandonar. cmo poda estar seguro de Gandhi que los ataques no empezar
de nuevo no poda ver mientras hindes, musulmanes y sikhs rompieron sus
nuevos pases aparte. as que el 13 de enero de 1948, Gandhi comenz su
ltimo ayuno hasta la muerte
En el primer da del ayuno, Gandhi se dirigi a su encuentro de oracin, como
de costumbre. pero se debilit muy rpidamente. en el que se alojaba en delhi.
Tena los ojos cerrados y no haba tela khadi alrededor de su cara. largas filas
de personas pasaron junto a verlo y muchos lloraron mientras oraban.
Desde el primer da del ayuno reunin, el Dr. Prasad, el nuevo presidente del
congreso, haba organizado un poco con la gente de diferentes grupos y
organizaciones en delhi. esperaba encontrar una paz real que dejara de
Gandhi rpido. el 18 de enero, Prasad vino a ver a Gandhi con representantes
ahundred ms bronceado de la ciudad. hindes, musulmanes, sikhs, judios y
chistians, junto con representantes de la polica y desde todos los delhi's
organizaciones importantes, haban firmado una promesa de que no habra
ms violencia en delhi. prometieron que los musulmanes podan moverse
libremente delhi y mezquitas que haban sido tomadas de ellos seran
devueltos
Eran estas cosas realmente cierto, pregunt ghandhi, o fueron personas
simplemente tratando de detener su ayuno sera ir en la violencia en otras
partes de la India o Pakistn funcionaran estos representantes para detener
los enfrentamientos entre grupos religiosos en todos los pases?
Ellos prometieron que lo haran. al fin, cuando Gandhi estaba seguro de poder
creer ellos, rompi su ayuno y bebi un poco de jugo de naranja.
Gandhi siempre ha dicho que quera t de oliva hasta que cumpli 125 aos de
edad. si podan mantener su promesa, le dijo a los representantes, l ahora
hacer ese deseo una vez ms.
Vivira siempre, trabajando por su pueblo. de Gandhi trado rpidamente en
una nueva esperanza para la amistad. que haba dejado de disturbios religiosos
y Violene no slo en delhi, pero a travs de la india ans pakistan

16. TO RAMA
in the twelve days following the fast, Gandhi was very happy and he soon felt
ready to go to Pakistan. plans were made for him to travel there at the
beginning of february. Gandhi was now seventy-eight years old, but his mind
was still quick and brilliant and he had no problem working long hard days.
India now loved him more than ever. around the world, too, people could se
that Gandhi was a great and special leader, and an extraordinary man. but on
20th january 1948, someone threw a bomb at Birla house. a prayer meeting

was going on when the bomb went off and people were very frightened. but no
one was injured and Gandhi, not knowing until later what had happened, was
not worried.
friday 30th january began like any other day for Gandhi. he got up at half past
three in the morning, said his prayers, and then worked on a speech for a
congress meeting. he had a bath and some breakfast, and then slept for a
short time. he talked with Delhi is Muslim leaders, and in the afternoon, lay in
the sun while the news papers were read to him. he saw visitors, did some
spinning, and after dinner he left for his prayer meeting a little later than usual.
as he walked to the prayer meeting, he had on each side of him one of his
younger cousins. he walked with an arm on each girl's shoulder, as he often
did. when the three of them arrived at the prayer meeting, a man moved
towards Gandhi. Gandhi is cousin thought the man wanted to kiss Gandhi is
feet and she asked him to move away because they were already late. but the
man pushed her away, pulled out a gun and shot Gandhi three times. 'Hey
Rama', (oh god) Gandhi said quietly as he fell to the ground.
Gandhi was carried to Birla house and a doctor came after just ten minutes, but
he was already dead. Gandhi is followers and friends could not believe what
had happened and they sat next to his body crying. Then Prime Minister Nehru
arrived. he hid his face in Gandhi is blood-covered clothes and cried like a child.
Later, on the radio, he spoke to the indian people.
'the light has gone out of our lives,' he said, 'and there is darkness everywhere.
the leader we loved, Bapu as we called him, is o more.
the man who shot Gandhi, Nathuram Godse, hated non-violence and the
charkha. he thought that Gandhi had made India and Hindu society weak. he
was executed - killed for his crime - against the wishes of Gandhi is sons,
Manilal and Ramdas.
around the world, people shared in the deep sadness of India at the loss of the
great leader the country had loved so much. on 31st january 1948, Gandhi is
body was washed, covered in flowers and taken away for cremation. one and
a half million people marched to the crematio ground, and another million
watched as Bapu was taken past. two weeks later, following Hindu tradition,
Gandhi is ashes were taken to Allahabad by train. at every station, hundreds of
thousands of people came to say goodbay to their Mahatma, praying and
throwing flowers onto the train. and when at last his ashes were set free in the
holy Ganges and Jumna Rivers, thousands more went into the water to be close
to their great leader for the last time.
a year after the Mahatma is death, the Indian government set up the Gandhi
Peace Prize, which in the year 2000 was given to Nelson Mandela. Mandela has
campaigned to win freedom for black people in South Africa, the country where
satyagraha had first begun.
today, Gandhi is remembered every year with a national holiday, Gandhi
Jayanti, on the day of his birthday. he was not a political or religious leader, but
he had an extraordinary power to make people follow him. he showed that nonviolence was a great and strong force for change, and his ideas about
satyagraha have been used by others fighting for freedom around the world.

Gandhi gave his life to help the people of India. he lived in love, peace and
truth, and his beliefs still continue to change people is lives.
16. A RAMA
En los doce das siguientes el ayuno, Gandhi estaba muy feliz y pronto se sinti
listo para ir a Pakistn. Se hicieron planes para l viajar all a principios de
febrero. Gandhi ya tena setenta y ocho aos de edad, pero su mente segua
siendo rpida y brillante y no tena ningn problema de trabajar largas jornadas
duras. India ahora lo amaba ms que nunca. en todo el mundo, tambin, la
gente podra se el que Gandhi fue un gran y especial lder y un hombre
extraordinario. pero el 20 de enero de 1948, alguien lanz una bomba en la
casa Birla. una reunin de oracin estaba pasando cuando estall la bomba y la
gente estaba muy asustada. pero nadie result herido y Gandhi, sin saber
hasta ms tarde de lo que haba pasado, no estaba preocupado.
Viernes 30 de enero comenz como cualquier otro da de Gandhi. l se levant
a las tres y media de la maana, dijo que sus oraciones, y luego trabaj en un
discurso durante una reunin del congreso. tena un bao y el desayuno, y
luego durmi por un corto tiempo. habl con Delhi es los lderes musulmanes, y
por la tarde, estaba en el sol, mientras que los peridicos se leen a l. vio a los
visitantes, hizo un poco de hilado, y despus de la cena se fue a su encuentro
de oracin un poco ms tarde de lo habitual.
mientras se diriga a la reunin de oracin, que tena a cada lado de l uno de
sus primos ms jvenes. caminaba con un brazo sobre el hombro de cada nia,
como haca a menudo. cuando los tres llegaron a la reunin de oracin, un
hombre se dirigi hacia Gandhi. Gandhi es primo pens que el hombre quera
besar Gandhi est de pie y ella le pidi que alejarse porque ya llegaban tarde.
pero el hombre la empuj, sac un arma y le dispar a Gandhi tres veces. 'Hey
Rama', (oh dios) Gandhi dijo en voz baja mientras caa al suelo.
Gandhi fue llevado a la casa de Birla y un mdico se produjo despus de slo
diez minutos, pero ya estaba muerto. Gandhi es seguidores y amigos no podan
creer lo que haba sucedido y se sentaron al lado de su cuerpo a llorar.
Entonces el primer ministro Nehru lleg. l escondi su rostro en Gandhi es la
ropa cubierta de sangre y llor como un nio. Ms tarde, en la radio, habl al
pueblo indio.
'La luz ha salido de nuestras vidas ", dijo," y hay oscuridad en todas partes. el
lder que nos encant, Bapu como le llambamos, es o ms.
el hombre que le dispar a Gandhi, Nathuram Godse, odiaba la no violencia y la
charkha. pens que Gandhi haba hecho la India y la sociedad hind dbil. fue
ejecutado - matado por su crimen - en contra de los deseos de Gandhi est
hijos, Manilal y Ramdas.
en todo el mundo, las personas comparten en la profunda tristeza de la India
por la prdida del gran lder el pas haba amado tanto. el 31 de enero de 1948,
Gandhi se cuerpo se lav, cubierto de flores y se lo llevaron para la cremacin.
uno y medio millones de personas marcharon al suelo crematio, y otro milln
vieron como Bapu fue tomada pasado. dos semanas ms tarde, siguiendo la
tradicin hind, Gandhi se cenizas fueron llevados a Allahabad en tren. en cada
estacin, cientos de miles de personas vinieron a decir goodbay a su Mahatma,
rezando y lanzando flores al tren. y cuando por fin sus cenizas fueron puestos

en libertad en los sagrados Ganges y Jumna Ros, miles ms fueron al agua

para estar cerca de su gran lder por ltima vez.
un ao despus de que el Mahatma es la muerte, el gobierno indio cre el
Premio de la Paz de Gandhi, que en el ao 2000 se le dio a Nelson Mandela.
Mandela ha hecho campaa por la libertad de los negros en Sudfrica, el pas
donde haba comenzado primero satyagraha.
hoy en da, Gandhi es recordado cada ao con una fiesta nacional, Gandhi
Jayanti, el da de su cumpleaos. l no era un lder poltico o religioso, pero
tena un poder extraordinario para que la gente lo siguen. mostr que la no
violencia era un grande y poderoso motor de cambio, y sus ideas acerca de
satyagraha haber sido utilizado por otros que luchan por la libertad en todo el
mundo. Gandhi dio su vida para ayudar al pueblo de la India. vivi en el amor,
la paz y la verdad, y sus creencias an continan cambiar a la gente es la vida.