Why Did Gandhi Starve Himself?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an influential political figure in India who is best known for leading the country’s non-violent resistance movement against British rule.

On September 16, 1932, he was arrested and imprisoned at Yerwada Jail in Pune due to his calls for a united India based on caste rather than religion. He went on a hunger strike to protest his detention and the decision of the British government to separate India’s electoral system by caste instead of education or economic status.

The strike ended after six months with Gandhi being force-fed through a nasal tube and later released from prison into exile in South Africa where he died in 1948 at the age of 80 years old. His teachings have inspired millions around the world and continue to play an important role in Indian politics today.

Why Did Gandhi Starve Himself?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi was a leading figure in the Indian independence movement and is considered one of the greatest leaders in world history.

On September 16, 1932, he was arrested by the British government for trying to start a hunger strike inside Yerwada Jail in Pune. His goal was to protest India’s electoral system which segregated people by caste and create an egalitarian society where everyone could vote freely.

The British government eventually agreed to separate India into Hindu-majority regions and Muslim-dominated ones after 10 days of fasting without food or water. Hunger strikes are still used today as a form of peaceful protest around the world, most notably by Palestinian prisoners who have gone on hundreds of strikes since 1987

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is best known for leading India to independence from British rule in 1947, but he was also a political activist who fought for civil rights and traditional Indian values.

In 1930, Gandhi embarked on a fast unto death to protest the taxes levied by the British authorities in India. The purpose of his hunger strike was not just to gain concessions from the government, but also to challenge Indian society’s view of food as something that should be enjoyed rather than rationed or restricted.

After nearly two months without food, Gandhi finally stopped fasting and won widespread support throughout India with his demonstration of strength and resolve. His efforts helped pave the way for other movements such as the non-cooperation movement which aimed to boycott British goods and institutions during World War II

September 16, 1932

Gandhi, an advocate for nonviolent resistance, fasted to show his support for the Indian independence movement. He believed that by refusing food he would force the British government to recognize India’s right to self-governance.

The experiment was a success and helped further Gandhi’s cause of peaceful protest against British rule. In 1947, after years of fighting for independence from Britain, Gandhi became the first Prime Minister of India. He is also recognized as one of the most influential political leaders in world history and is celebrated annually on September 16th as “Mahatma Gandhi Day.”

Yerwada Jail in Pune

Gandhi was imprisoned in Yerwada Jail in Pune for almost a year between 1922 and 1923. During this time, he refused to eat any food except salt, lemons and herbs that were given to him as part of his religious beliefs.

He believed that fasting would help him focus on his political goals and achieve them faster. His fasts lasted from 21 days to 59 days, with the longest lasting 44 days. After his release from prison, Gandhi continued to advocate for non-violent resistance until his death in 1948 at the age of 80 years old

British government’s decision to separate India’s electoral system by caste

In 1952, the British government decided to separate India’s electoral system by caste. This decision led to violence and mass starvation in India. Gandhi was one of the leaders of resistance against this policy and he fasted unto death as a protest against it.

His act of fasting became known as ‘The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Fast’. The British government eventually reversed its decision and united India’s electoral system by caste in 1951

Hunger Strike

Gandhi embarked on a hunger strike in order to draw attention to the plight of the impoverished Indian people. He believed that by refusing food, he would force the British government to change their policies concerning India.

Gandhi’s fast lasted over sixty-two days and was extremely challenging both physically and emotionally for him. The success of his hunger strike led to significant changes in British policy towards India and helped initiate many constitutional reforms there.

Today, Gandhi is considered one of the most influential political leaders in history and his efforts continue to inspire others around the world.

To Recap

Mahatma Gandhi’s fasts and marches against British colonialism led to his untimely death, but the underlying cause of his starvation was a health problem.

In order to survive on very little food, Gandhi had to reduce the caloric intake by almost half. This reduced his overall energy levels and weakened him physically, which made him more susceptible to sickness and ultimately lead to his death from an infection.