Mahatma Gandhi was heartbroken by the violence. The ‘free India’ he had envisioned was a land of peace and harmony where people from various religions would live as brothers and sisters.
The unfolding of the horror of partition filled Gandhiji with profound sorrow. He would not participate in the celebrations of 15 August, 1947 and instead spent the day fasting and praying.
At this time Bengal, which was to be partitioned into East and West, had been witnessing blood-thirsty violence for many months. Gandhiji worked day and night trying to bring peace to the Hindu-Muslim community in Bengal. Under his calming influence the violence did eventually cease.
Next he travelled to Delhi, where he announced that he was beginning an indefinite fast which would end only when the violence there ended. But unlike the other regions Gandhiji had received a death threat at Delhi and a bomb exploded at one of his prayer meetings.
Refusing all offers of protection Mahatma Gandhi continued his mission for peace. He knew the risks he was taking but he carried on.
Picture Credit : Google
