________________
It says :
“16-3-1976. Three days' fasting prayer as the Congress was found giving encouragement to deserters of other parties.”
It appears from these notes that as the time passed he became completely a-political and concentrated more on the work of organising Sant Sevak Samudyam Parishad and movement against cow slaughter. Saint Vinobaji had declared his intention to go on indefinite fasts if cow slaughter was not prohibited as provided in the directive principles of the Constitution of India. So on 1st April 1979 Santbal went on fasts of 21 days to prevent an eventuality of Vinobáji going on fasts. These fasts of 21 days ended on 22nd April 1979. He was reduced in weight by these fasts by 8 kg.
On 10th of August 1979 Machchhu Dam was damaged and the whole of the Morvi town was practically destroyed by flood. A relief plan for those who suffered was chalked out.
The year 1982 was the last year of his earthly existence. On 16th of January of that year, in response to the call of Vinobaji to arrange the chain of fasts throughout the country in support of prohibition of cow slaughter, Santbalji went on fasts of three days on 22nd of February. All the inmates of Chinchani Ashram went on fasts in response to the call for closing all kitchens in the country in support of cow slaughter prohibition.
Nobody knew that the end of this eathly existence of the Saint was fast approaching. 23rd and 24th of February seem to have passed as usual. In the morning of 25th February, time for offering usual morning prayer approached but the Saint was still found in his bed. This was quite unusual. So, Manibhai, his very close associate and one of the Ashram inmates tried to awaken him saying that it was already five o'clock in the morning. The Saint responded by a smile and some inaudible murmur. It was
110
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only.
www.jainelibrary.org
