Nonviolence 02 - Gandhiji

20 January 1948 That morning a bomb blasted near his prayer hall, someone tried to kill him; but Gandhiji continued his sermon undaunted. Nehru, the new Prime Minister and Patel, the Home Minister were worried. Already violence marred the new-found independence, the nation cannot bear another catastrophe, wanted everyone entering his prayer hall frisked. But Gandhiji would not agree. After much pressure from all he agrees to some military presence outside the house. 'Today Panditji and Sardar have to take care of many things. I should not be another cause of worry for them. I believe Ram is my only protector, so long as He needs me for work, He will keep me; if He no longer needs me He will take me away. 'But the rulers do not have faith in nonviolence, they only believe in military guards; with so much of violence around, it seems I am the only one who believes in nonviolence. for me it makes no difference if the military and police stand guard or not; Ram is my sole protector, the rest are all useless.' Notes: Nehru- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India Patel- Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the Home Minister under Nehru Panditji- Gandhiji used to refer to Nehru thus Sardar- Patel House- During these days, Gandhiji was staying in Birla House, New Delhi.