Page:Masani - Gandhi's story.pdf/52



In 1918, World War I came to an end. All the Indians who had helped the British in the war and the many soldiers who returned after fighting bravely felt that as a reward for their loyal support their country should be given its freedom. But they found the British were not yet willing to do this. The soldiers found that conditions at home were even worse than before, and that they did not have any jobs to which to turn. Indians now began agitating for Home Rule, and all over the country meetings were held where fiery speeches were made and the British asked to give India her freedom. Now, instead of the British government trying to understand India's troubles, they tried to force on the country a very harsh law.

Once again the people turned to Gandhiji to show them the way to oppose this law. Gandhiji himself felt that the British government had gone too far and that the time had come for action. He was not sure what should be done and was puzzled. One morning he woke up earlier than usual and while he was still