Page:Masani - Gandhi's story.pdf/54

50 heard that Gandhiji was thinking of going to the Punjab, they issued an order forbidding him to do so. Gandhiji, however, decided to take no notice of this order and he started for the Punjab. As his train neared the borders of the province he was arrested by the police and brought back to Bombay where he was set free.

The news of Gandhiji's arrest strengthened the determination of the people to resist. But in some places they forgot about his message of peace and they attacked officials. When Gandhiji heard of these incidents he was very unhappy and he wondered if he had not started the fight too soon. He now realized that the people did not understand completely what he meant by satyagraha or peaceful resistance, so he decided to tell them more about it through his writings. He started two papers called Young India and Navjivan which means new life. His writings in these papers greatly helped the people and gave them fresh hope and understanding.

It was at this time Gandhiji returned the medals to the British government that he had received for his work with the wounded during the Boer War and World War I. He felt he could not accept any honors from a government that he had decided to fight. Other people followed his example and returned whatever honors, titles and medals they had received.