It is very easy to preach ideologies and ask others to follow noble principles but very few people actually implement them in their life to such an extent that they don’t spare even their near and dear ones when it comes to test those principles and their integrity. Mahatma Gandhi was undoubtedly one of those rare personalities, will be remembered in Indian Political history for his strict implementation of his principles in his own life which he wanted others to follow. Sometimes it sounds ruthless and insensitive when you read certain incidences of his personal life. Especially his critics blame him for his elder son’s tragedy. I am sure most of them are not well versed of his original writings and thoughts or might have formulated their opinions based on parochial views of fundamentalists. In this context, it will make some sense to understand one of the incidents that happened in his ashram which throws light on Gandhiji’s way of life.

This was narrated by Balkoba Bhave, one of the members of Gandhiji’s ashram. One day, he came back to his room in the morning found a small boy weeping. When asked he told him that his father had gone ou,t giving him the responsibility to clean the toilets of ashram. Those were old fashioned toilets where the sewage was collected in buckets. The buckets were huge, full and heavy, almost impossible to carry for such a small kid. Balkoba thought for a while and decided to help him. We need to understand the period of 1920s when untouchability was practised in Indian society as a religious notion. It was not easy for a Brahmin like Balkoba to even think of taking up the job of cleaning toilets which was considered as one of the most unclean and low level occupation. But he started doing that to help the kid and soon after Vinoba Bhave joined for fifteen days.

His compassion brought disaster in ashram, especially among women. Gandhiji was not there when the whole scenario took place. Brahmin cleaning the toilets was beyond imagination. It was like corrupting the great ancient religious principles. Gandhiji’s elder sister was in the ashram during this happening. She used to have her food in Kasturba’s kitchen. After this incident she stopped eating there and started cooking separately. To understand the gravity of the situation we need to understand the time, surrounding and deep rooted untouchability of that era.

Gandhiji came back and was pleased when heard of everything. After his regular prayer he discussed with others about it. At the same time he came to know that his elder sister started cooking separately. He immediately went to her and asked for the reason. She argued that in spite of being Brahmin, Balkoba is cleaning the toilets and corrupting the religion. Gandhiji replied, “I understand your feelings but this will not be tolerated here. If you follow untouchability, you will not be allowed to stay in the ashram”.

In front of Balkoba Bhave, on the same day, at night Gandhiji sent his elder sister back her home.

There were no special privileges in Gandhiji’s ashram for him or his relatives. More important, there were no privileges for anyone in his heart when it comes to follow his principles.

Soon after this, he decided that women in the ashram will clean the toilets once in a week.

Atul Thakur