List of fasts undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi or The Father of the Nation in India, undertook 17 fasts during India's freedom movement. His longest fasts lasted 21 days. Fasting was a weapon used by Gandhi as part of his philosophy of Ahimsa or Non Violence.[1]

Fasts

Number Date Duration Place Reason and demands Reaction to fast Result
1 1913 (Nov 10-16) 7 days Phoenix, South Africa First penitential fast[2]
2 1914 (April) 14 days Second penitential fast[2]
3 1918 (February) 3 days Ahmdabad In the interest of striking mill workers in Ahmedabad First fast in India Mill workers agreed to arbitration[3]
4 1919 (Apr 14-16) 3 days First anti-violence fast: against the attempted derail of a train at Nadiad[2]
5 1921 (Nov 19-22) 4 days Second anti-violence fast: against the anarchists' activities on the occasion of the Prince of Wales arrival[2]
6 1922 (Feb 2-7) 5 days Bardoli Third anti-violence fast: for atonement for violence done in Chauri Chaura
7 1924 (Sep 18-Oct 8) 21 days Delhi First Hindu-Muslim unity fast Interest of Hindu - Muslim unity after the first non-cooperation movement Ended fast while listening to the Quran and Gita being read.[4]
8 1925 (Nov 24-30) 7 days Third penitential fast[2]
9 1932 (Sep 20-26) 6 days Poona First anti-untouchability fast: Communal Award of separate electorates and separate reservation of seats for depressed classes Fast undertaken at Yerwada Central Jail. When released a few days later, Gandhi continued his fast at a private house in Poona, with the result that all national leaders assembled in Pune. British Government withdrew the clauses in the Communal Award against which Gandhi was protesting[4]
10 1932 (Dec 3) 1 day Second anti-untouchability fast: sympathetic to Appasaheb Patwardhan[2]
11 1933 (May 8-May 29) 21 days Third anti-untouchability fast: for the improvement of Harijans' condition[5]
12 1933 (Aug 16-23) 7 days Fourth anti-untouchability fast: to obtain privileges (while in prison) that would enable him to carry on his fight in behalf of the Harijans[5] Released unconditionally from prison on 23 August 1933, for health reasons[6]
13 1934 (Aug 7-14) 7 days Fourth anti-violence fast: against a violent young Congressman[2]
14 1939 (March) 3 days[7] Rajkot
15 1943 (Feb 12-Mar 4) 21 days Delhi Stopping of communal riots.[8][9]
16 1947 (Sep 1-4) 4 days Second Hindu-Muslim unity fast[2]
17 1948 (Jan 12-18) 6 days Third Hindu-Muslim unity fast: restoration of communal peace A large number of important politicians and leaders of communal bodies agreed to a joint plan for restoration of normal life in the city

References

  1. ↑ "National hunger strike?". Gulf Daily News. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 O.P. Dhiman. Betrayal of Gandhi. ISBN 978-81-78-35-746-1.
  3. ↑ Jack, Homer A. (2005). "Short Chronology of Gandhi's Life". Mahatma.com. Worldview.com. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  4. 1 2 "The Previous Fasts". The Indian Express. 4 March 1943. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Mohandas K. Gandhi: The Indian Leader at Home and Abroad". New York Times. 31 January 1948. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  6. ↑ Rajmohan Gandhi. Gandhi: The Man, His People, and the Empire. p. 361. ISBN 978-0-520-25570-8.
  7. ↑ "Rajkot dispute settled - Gandhi breaks his fast". The Advocate. 8 March 1939.
  8. ↑ "Anna a man of stamina, his longest fast lasted 12 days". Daily News and Analysis. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Gandhiji Breaks Fast". The Indian Express. 4 March 1943. Retrieved 30 December 2013.

139 fast days total.

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