58. My Being There Makes A Difference! |
In 1932, taking up the issue of untouchability,
Bapu set upon an indefinite hunger strike in Yerawada jail. Ba, at that
time, was in Sabarmati jail. She felt miserable because she was not with
Bapu in that situation. Bapu’s life being put at stake made her uneasy.
Once, talking to her jail inmates, she gave way to her feelings saying, “We
do read Bhagwat and Ramayan, but never came across the mention of this kind
of fast. But Bapu is one of his own kind. He would always do something out
of this world. The situation is unpredictable!” Those inmates tried to
appease her saying, “Ba, why do you worry? Government will offer many
facilities to Bapu.” Kasturba replied, “Government would offer many things
but would he accept them? He would never cooperate. Really, I have never
seen a person like him! I know so many stories from Puranas but there never
was a monk like him.” After a while she would say, “It hardly matters in
fact. Mahadev is there, even Vallabhbhai and Sarojinidevi too. But my
presence there would certainly make a difference.” |