ABSTRACT
One of Gandhi’s deepest sorrows during his final days was the stark realisation that his ahimsa had failed. That the cause of his enduring sorrow should be visible to the world was natural. As was the question whether, in the face of the spreading violence in India, he would continue to give the world the message of ahimsa. Gandhi was visited by Mohammad Usman the following day too, this time accompanied by a big Muslim delegation. He appealed to Gandhi to stay on in Calcutta for at least two more days to restore peace in the city declaring that Muslims had as much of a right over Gandhi as the Hindus. Beginning with the declaration that he had postponed his departure to Noakhali, Gandhi said he would do everything in his power to calm the frenzy sweeping across Calcutta. Gandhi’s deep self-introspection was doubtless urging him towards a fast unto death.
