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peace throughout the fast, which he described as “an uninterrupted twenty-one days' prayer."-47
Gandhi, who was released on the first day of this fast lest the Government should be blamed for his possible death, inspired new actions of mass civil disobedience in the following months. He now felt that it was incumbent upon him to lead in individual disobedience. After giving the Sabarmati Ashram to the Harijans to serve as a technical school, Gandhi was about to set out with several Ashram members to the village of Ras where he and his companions were arrested on August 1. They were released three days later on August 4, with the orders to immediately leave Yeravda village and reside in Poona. Gandhi disobeyed this order and was summarily re-arrested, this time sentenced to one year imprisonment. The facilities that had been granted to him for his campaign against untouchability were subsequently withdrawn. Faced with these obstacles to his intended goals, Gandhi started a hunger strike on August 16. As his life was thought to be in danger, he was released unconditionally on August 23. Nearly three months later, on November 7, 1933, he set out on a propagandist tour on behalf of the Harijans, which lasted ten months and covered the major part of India. 48
On September 17, 1934, Gandhi announced his decision to retire from the primary membership of Congress party from 15 October, in order to engage himself in the development of village industries, Harijan service, and education through basic crafts. Gandhi resigned not only his leadership, but also his membership of Congress at its annual session in Bombay during October, 1934.49 Even so, his leadership role, including that of major political decisions and movements taken under the Congress party continued to function as before. He remained involved as much in the policy issues including those concerning
Gandhi & Jainism
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