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List of fasts by Mahatma Gandhi

List of fasts undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi
List of fasts undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi or The Father of the Nation in India, undertook 18 fasts during India’s freedom movement. His longest fasts lasted 21 days. Fasting was a weapon used by Gandhi as part of his philosophy of Ahinsa (non-violence) as well as satyagraha.

English
     
South Africa
No. YearDatesFast (Place)Fast (Reason)
11912June 16- November 20Johannesburg/DurbanOne meal a day
21913June 27-29Durban/One meal a day (To atone for the misbehaviour of a female teacher and school children of Phoenix Ashram)
On the way
3 July 12 – November 11Johannesburg,Durban,One meal a day (Due to immoral relationship between a male and a female living in the Phoenix Ashram)
Phoenix Ashram
4 November 12 -December 31In JailDecided to take one meal a day until the £ 3 tax was abolished
 1914January to May 1 One meal a day for the above said reason
5 May 2 – June 26Durban, CapetownTo atone for the breach of vow of a Phoenix Ashramite
India
11915June 1 AhmedabadDetection of untruth among Ashram boys.
2 September 11 AhmedabadBecause some of the Ashramites observed a fast because a Harijan family was admitted to the Ashram.
3 Sep-12AhmedabadTo atone for smoking of a bidi by an ashramite
41916May  or  June 12AhmedabadFasted for 3 days in protest against Manilal’s financial help to Harilal, without his knowledge.
51918March 15-17AhmedabadTo keep the resolve of the Mill-hands of Ahmedabad.
61919April 6*MumbaiTo mark the first day of the Satyagraha struggle
 *and thereafter every year on this date 
7 April 13 to 15AhmedabadAgainst disturbances at Bombay, Ahmedabad and other places
 and thereafter on each April 13 of every year
81921November 19 to 21MumbaiAgainst disturbances at Bombay.
9 November 28* ………. AhmedabadAgitated with Bombay riots, took a vow to fast on every Monday for 24 hours until independence was achieved; the vow implemented from this day
 *and thereafter on every Monday  
101922February 12 to 16BardoliDue to the killing of policemen in Chauri Chaura
111924September 17 to 30DelhiFor Hindu-Muslim unity.
  October 1 to 7
121925November 24 to 30AhmedabadDetection of sexual aberrations in some boys and girls of the Ashram.
131928June 22 to 24AhmedabadMoral lapse of an Ashram inmate.
141932September 20 to 25Yeravda JailAgainst the Communal Award
15 03-DecYeravda JailIn protest against Government not allowing a fellow-prisoner to do scavenging work.
161933May 8 to 28Parna Kuti, PuneFor self-purification.
17 August 16 to 22Yeravda JailIn protest against Government decision not to grant all the facilities for Harijan work which he was granted previousely. 
181934August 7 to 13WardhaTo atone for the injury caused to Pundit Lalnath in collision between him and
the Sanatanists on one side and the public on the other.
191939March 3 to 6RajkotAgainst breach of promise by the Rajkot ruler.
201940November 12 to 13SevagramSuspicion of theft by an Ashram inmate.
211941April 25 to 27Sevagram72 hours’ fast. Probably because of communal riots in Bombay and Ahmedabad.
22 Jun-29SevagramFor communal unity.
231943February 10 to 28Aga KhanIn protest against Government propaganda that the responsibility for disturbances after arrest of leaders (after the ‘Quit India’ resolution was passed) was that of the Congress.
  March 1 to 2Palace, Jail
241944November 30 ?SevagramFasted or thought of fasting for one or more days. Details and reasons could not be traced.
251946October 20 …….. DelhiAbout four days. Probably on account of an error by the person who prepared the fair
copy of a letter written during negotiations with the Muslim League.
26194715-AugCalcuttaAgainst partition of the country.
27 September 1 to 3CalcuttaAgainst communal riots
28 Oct-11DelhiFasted on Birth date according to Vikram Calendar.
291948January 13 to 17DelhiAgainst Communal disturbances.

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