Mahatma Gandhi 45 - The Swadeshi Movement Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Rajmohan Gandhi - Gandhiji's grandson
In his book titled -"A true story of a man, his people
And an Empire" writes:
"From 1920 onwards,
Indians seemed conscious of two political poles,
One represented by the empire and the other by Gandhi.
Those gravitating openly to the second pole,
Non-co-operators and their supporters,
Identified themselves by wearing Khadi
And often, by spinning on a Charkha.
Muhammad Ali donned Khadi, as did his old mother.
By the end of 1921, hundreds of thousands were doing so."
Such was the tremendous influence of Khadi
And Charkha on the people of India.

A suggestion from a Congress member in Andhra Pradesh
To add a spinning wheel in India's flag was
Warmly welcomed with much enthusiasm!
Gandhiji proposed that the flag should be made with
Khadhi cloth in three colours;
Orange colour represented the Hindus,
Green colour represented the Muslims, while
White represented all other religions.
The congress flag became India's national flag.
In 1921, the patriotic spirit of Indians rose to lofty heights.
The national unity erased the veil between the Hindus and Muslims.
They united with a brotherly comradeship,
Visited each others' homes and ate meals together.
A genuine friendly atmosphere prevailed!

The Sikhs, an important community of India made effort
In a non-violent way to free their religious shrines -
Gurudwaras from the control of priests!
Thus, the Akali movement was born!
The ‘untouchables ‘ made progress, but
With much criticism and challenges!
A section of the orthodox Hindus opposed
Gandhiji's relentless support of the ‘untouchables'.
They voiced their disapproval by stating that
The Swaraj Movement would end up in smoke -
Which meant that his attempts to support the
Untouchables would prove futile!
Gandhiji firmly announced: He would rather reject Swaraj
Than the ‘Antyajas' or the ‘Untouchables'!

In April 1921, Gandhiji called for a meeting of
The Antyajas or the Harijans in Ahmedabad.
Gandhiji asserted: " if I have to be reborn,
I should be born an untouchable so that
I may share their sorrows,
Sufferings and affronts levelled at them,
In order that I may endeavour
To free myself and them,
From the miserable condition."
The Gandhian effort proved a partial success
Though the whole subject of ‘untouchables'
In India was ridden with complex issues,
Age old customs, caste, creed, dogmas,
And an ignorant, unjustifiable mind set.