Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (the great Mahatma Gandhi, Father of India [my homeland]) did not believe in electoral seclusion of people belonging to the lowest caste system (referred to as the “untouchables”), prevalent in India during the British Raj (rule). The British, under Lord Willingdon, had proposed a plan for India’s independence. However, the plan called for a separate political representation of people from the lowest caste, and would divide independent India’s social classes indefinitely (not congruent with Gandhi Ji’s vision of independent India).

To protest against the aforementioned plan, Mahatma Gandhi announced “fasting unto death” from the Yerwada Central Jail cell (near Bombay [present day Mumbai, India]). It only took six days for the British government to give in to Gandhi Ji’s requests. The British agreed to rescind the constitutional segregation of people based on the caste system.

September 16, 1932, when Gandhi Ji announced “fasting unto death,” marked a landmark occurrence in India’s history, and “made a dent” in her effort to seek independence from the British Raj.