There is a myth about how Gandhiji fasted and forced the government of India to give 55 crore to Pakistan. Many people (Including Nathuram Godse) have used this myth as one of the reasons for the assassination of Gandhiji. I have heard this myth so many times since childhood. So, I have tried to research and fact-finding. And, I am yet to find proof that Gandhiji fasted to force this transaction.
Here are some facts.
The matter regarding the release of Rs. 55 crores to Pakistan towards the second installment of arrears to be paid to it under the terms of division of assets and liabilities requires to be understood in the context of the events that took place in the aftermath of partition. Of the 75 crore to be paid the first installment of Rs. 20 crore was already released.
The invasion of Kashmir by self-styled liberators with the covert support of the Pakistani Army took place before the second installment was paid. The government of India decided to withhold it. Lord Mountbatten was of the opinion that it amounted to a violation of the mutually agreed conditions and he brought it to the notice of Gandhiji. Gandhiji agreed with the Viceroy's point of view (from the ethical point of view). However, linking his stand in this matter with the fast he undertook, as you will find in the following lines, is an intentional mix-up and distortion of facts of contemporary history. The fast was undertaken with a view to restoring communal amity in Delhi. Gandhiji arrived from Calcutta in September 1947 to go to Punjab to restore peace there. On being briefed by Sardar Patel about the explosive situation in Delhi itself he changed his plans and decided to continue his stay in Delhi to restore peace with the firm determination to "Do or Die."
The following facts dissolve this much-touted thesis that Gandhiji had fasted to bring moral pressure on the government of India to relent.:
Dr. Sushila Nair, as soon as she heard Gandhiji proclaim his decision, rushed to her brother Pyarelal and informed him in a huff that Gandhiji had decided to undertake fast till the madness in Delhi ceased. Even in those moments of inadvertence the mention of 55 crore of rupees was not made which clearly proves that it was not intended by Gandhiji.
Gandhiji's own announcement about his resolve on 12th January in the evening prayer meeting did not contain any reference to it. Had it been a condition, he would have certainly mentioned it as that.
Similarly, there was no reference to it in his discourse on 13th January.
Gandhiji's reply on the 15th January, to a specific question regarding the purpose of his fast did not mention it.
The press release Of the government of India did not have any mention thereof.
The list of assurances given by the committee headed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad to persuade Gandhiji to give up his fast did not include it.
The timeline of the fast has been very important to understand.
Gandhi started his fast on 13th Jan, 1948.
The decision to give Pakistan 55 crores was made in a meeting on 14-15th Jan, where Gandhiji wasn’t present in the meeting. Nehru, Sardar, Shyamaprasad Mukherji, and other ministers were there in the meeting.
Gandhi ended his fast on 19th Jan, when representatives of different religions signed an agreement to stop the violence.
If Gandhiji’s fast was aimed at giving Pakistan 55 crores, why he didn’t end it on 14-15th Jan? Why did he end it on 19th Jan. That just doesn’t make sense.
It’s more likely that the Government of India ended up releasing 55 cores (as per the agreement) due to British/International/UN pressure or threat to be pulled into international court. It’s so shocking how strong this myth is that Gandhiji blackmailed (through fast) Nehru and Sardar to give Pakistan 55 crores. I am all ears if you have any historical evidence contrary to this.
Jai Hind!
Source:
https://www.mkgandhi.org/faq/q3.php
https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/rajasthan/jaipur/know-india-pakistan-partition-history-did-gandhi-fast-to-give-55-crores-to-pakistan/1087174
