The Danish Peace Academy
GANDHI AND NORDIC COUNTRIES
Collected by E. S. Reddy - EReddy@aol.com and Holger TerpLetter, September 30, 1932
Y.C.P.
September 30, 1932
My dear child,
Even from this distance I could realise your agony. But God never comes to us except through the way of fire. There is a deep unconscious joy felt during such purifying agony. I hope that you were partaker of such joy during the trial. I saw or rather heard your name together with those of Horace Alexander and Andrews among the senders of a loving message from England.160 I am growing stronger day by day.
You won't expect a long letter from me today. I am expending what energy I have in writing love notes to friends in England.
Love to you. Kisses to children.
Bapu
Source:My Dear Child, page 93; Collected Works, Volume 51, page 157
160 Gandhi had undertaken a fast in prison on September 30, 1932, when Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald of Britain announced separate electorates for members of the “untouchable” caste (called Harijans, children of God, by Gandhi). The fast was also a penance for the sin of untouchability among Hindus. Indian leaders of varied political persuasions met urgently and agreed on affirmative action to assist the Harijans instead of separating them from the Hindu community. Britain accepted the formula and Gandhi ended his fast on the understanding that he would have freedom of correspondence and interviews for Harijan work.
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