The Kheda Satyagraha

No breathing time was, however, in store for me. Hardly was the Ahmedabad mill-hands’ strike over, when I had to plunge into the Kheda Satyagraha struggle.

But I had no time to catch my breath. The Ahmedabad mill workers’ strike had barely ended when I had to plunge into the Kheda Satyagraha struggle.

A condition approaching famine had arisen in the Kheda district owing to a widespread failure of crops, and the Patidars of Kheda were considering the question of getting the revenue assessment for the year suspended.

Widespread crop failures had brought the Kheda district close to famine. The Patidars of Kheda were considering whether to seek a suspension of that year's land tax assessment.

Sjt. Amritlal Thakkar had already inquired into and reported on the situation, and had personally discussed the question with the Commissioner, before I gave any definite advice to the cultivators. Sjts. Mohanlal Pandya and Shankarlal Parikh had also thrown themselves into the fight, and had set up an agitation in the Bombay Legislative Council through Sjt. Vithalbhai Patel and the late Sir Gokuldas Kahandas Parekh. More than one deputation had waited upon the Governor in that connection.

Before I gave the cultivators any definite advice, Sjt. Amritlal Thakkar had already investigated the situation and reported on it. He had also discussed the matter personally with the Commissioner. Sjts. Mohanlal Pandya and Shankarlal Parikh had also thrown themselves into the fight. They had stirred up debate in the Bombay Legislative Council through Sjt. Vithalbhai Patel and the late Sir Gokuldas Kahandas Parekh. More than one delegation had met with the Governor about the matter.

I was at this time President of the Gujarat Sabha. The Sabha sent petitions and telegrams to the Government, and even patiently swallowed the insults and threats of the Commissioner. The conduct of the officials on this occasion was so ridiculous and undignified as now to appear almost incredible.

At the time, I was President of the Gujarat Sabha. The Sabha sent petitions and telegrams to the Government. It even patiently put up with the Commissioner’s insults and threats. The officials’ behavior on this occasion was so ridiculous and undignified that it now seems almost unbelievable.

The cultivators’ demand was as clear as daylight, and so moderate as to make out a strong case for its acceptance. Under the Land Revenue Rules, if the crop was four annas or under, the cultivators could claim a full suspension of the revenue assessment for the year. According to the official figures the crop was said to be over four annas. The contention of the cultivalors, on the other hand, was that it was less than four annas. But the Government was in no mood to listen, and regarded the popular demand for arbitration as lèse majesté. At last all petitioning and prayer having failed, after taking counsel with co-workers, I advised the Patidars to resort to Satyagraha.

The cultivators’ demand was perfectly clear and so moderate that there was a strong case for accepting it. Under the Land Revenue Rules, if the crop was four annas or less, the cultivators could claim a full suspension of that year’s revenue assessment. According to official figures, the crop was over four annas. The cultivators, on the other hand, maintained that it was less than four annas. But the Government was in no mood to listen. It regarded the popular demand for arbitration as lèse majesté. At last, after all petitions and appeals had failed, I consulted my co-workers and advised the Patidars to resort to Satyagraha.

Besides the volunteers of Kheda, my principal comrades in this struggle were Sjts. Vallabhbhai Patel, Shankarlal Banker, Shrimati Anasuyabehn, Sjts. Indulal Yajnik, Mahadev Desai and others. Sjt. Vallabhbhai in joining the struggle had to suspend a splendid and growing practice at the bar, which for all practical purposes he was never able to resume.

Besides the volunteers of Kheda, my main companions in this struggle were Vallabhbhai Patel, Shankarlal Banker, Anasuyabehn, Indulal Yajnik, Mahadev Desai and others. To join the struggle, Vallabhbhai had to put his thriving and growing legal practice on hold. For all practical purposes, he was never able to resume it.

We fixed up our headquarters at the Nadiad Anathashram, no other place being available which would have been large enough to accommodate all of us.

We set up our headquarters at the Nadiad Anathashram because no other available place was large enough for all of us.

The following pledge was signed by the Satyagrahis:

The Satyagrahis signed the following pledge:

‘Knowing that the crops of our villages are less than four annas, we requested the Government to suspend the collection of revenue assessment till the ensuing year, but the Government has not acceded to our prayer. Therefore, we, the undersigned, hereby solemnly declare, that we shall not, of our own accord, pay to the Government the full or the remaining revenue for the year. We shall let the Government take whatever legal steps it may think fit, and gladly suffer the consequences of our non-payment. We shall rather let our lands be forfeited, than that by voluntary payment we should allow our case to be considered false or should compromise our self-respect. Should the Government, however, agree to suspend collection of the second instalment of the assessment throughout the district, such amongst us as are in a position to pay will pay up the whole or the balance of the revenue that may be due. The reason why those who are able to pay still withhold payment is that if they pay up, the poorer ryots may in a panic sell their chattels or incur debts to pay their dues, and thereby bring suffering upon themselves. In these circumstances we feel, that for the sake of the poor, it is the duty even of those who can afford to pay to withhold payment of their assessment.’

‘Knowing that our villages’ crops yield less than four annas, we asked the Government to suspend revenue collection until next year. But the Government has not agreed to our request. Therefore, we, the undersigned, solemnly declare that we will not voluntarily pay the full revenue or any remaining balance for the year. We will let the Government take whatever legal steps it considers appropriate and gladly suffer the consequences of not paying. We would rather lose our lands than pay voluntarily and allow our case to be considered false or compromise our self-respect. If, however, the Government agrees to suspend collection of the second assessment installment throughout the district, those of us who can pay will pay the full amount or any remaining balance due. Those who can pay are withholding payment because, if they pay, poorer tenant farmers may panic. They may sell their possessions or go into debt to pay what they owe, bringing suffering upon themselves. In these circumstances, we feel that even those who can afford to pay have a duty to withhold payment for the sake of the poor.’

I cannot devote many chapters to this struggle. And so a number of sweet recollections in this connection will have to be crowded out. Those who want to make a fuller and deeper study of this important fight would do well to read the full and authentic history of the Kheda Satyagraha by Sjt. Shankarlal Parikh of Kathlal, Kheda.

I cannot devote many chapters to this struggle. So I will have to leave out many fond memories of it. Anyone who wants to study this important fight more fully and deeply should read the complete, authentic history of the Kheda Satyagraha by Sjt. Shankarlal Parikh of Kathlal, Kheda.