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Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus

MOTILAL NEHRU
Then Came Gandhiji

Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa in1915. Because of his brave-fight against the unjust treatment of the coloured people by the whites and their Government in South Africa, Gandhiji was already known as a great leader. Motilal and Jawaharlal came to know him. This new friendship changed the course of the Nehru family.

In 1919 Gandhiji became the national leader of the fight for freedom. He gave definite shapes and direction to the agitation against the unjust Rowlatt Act imposed by the British Government. Jawahar liked very much the idea of courting imprisonment by participating in the national movement. But his father’s reactions were different. Could any one get rid of the Government by merely launching Satyagraha and going to jail? He
doubted it very much.

Besides, Motilal was worried about one thing. If his son also took part in the Satyagraha (nonviolent noncooperation), and went to prison, he would have to eat the unhealthy food served there, and sleep on the hard floor. Should the son, who was brought up in such utmost comfort as even princes envied, suffer this?

Motilal tried sleeping on the bear and hard floor to experience what it was like. After
this he was even more worded to think of his son's lot in the prison.

He knew that his son was eager tobecome a follower of the Mahatma. So he decided to go straight to Gandhiji and express his distress. Though they’re political views differed, there had developed a sweet friendship between them. Motilal was older by eight years. "Please advise my son properly. Do not allow him to join Satyagraha. I cannot live if I am separated from him. It is after many years that my son and daughterin-law have come home," appealed Motilal to the Mahatma.

Gandhiji knew Motilal's great love and attachment to his son. He told Jawaharlal, "Look here, Jawahar, you know how much your father and mother love you. Do not do anything that may make them unhappy. You have returned to India just now. You better study the conditions here very Well. Don't be in a hurry. There is ample time to serve the nation. Wait a little and go slow."

Jawahar heeded the words of the Mahatma, and did not immediately jump in to the fight.

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About Motilal Nehru
Introduction
Childhood In Hardship
The Wealthy Lawyer
In The Lap Of Glory
The Western Influence
His Daughter's Birthday Party
The British Emperor's Guests Of Honour
Short Temper
The Darling Son
The Son In England
In The World Of Politics
A Home Of Joy
Difference of Opinion Between Father and Son
You are Here! Then Came Gandhji
The Atrocities of The British Government
Motilal's Eyes were Opened
Goodbye to Luxury
The Consequence
To The Prison
Released From The Jail
The Leader Of The Opposition
Son In The Jail
Son Succeeds Father as President
"Don't Release Me"
The Light Goes Out
The War Trumpets Sound In Old Age